Tuesday 22nd April Review

A day highlighted as one to watch together with our first bet of the week Rathgar in the City and Suburban at Epsom recommended at 1pt ew

This handicap cut up to just six runners and almost going to plan with Rathgar given an easy lead from the front but getting caught close home finishing 2nd having been backed from 8/1 into 9/2. At face value he looked beaten only by a filly that keeps on improving in the David Munesier trained City of Delights.

However Rathgar got very warm and stirred up before the start and given he was only beaten 1/2L i wonder if this made the difference. Still no harm done with another profitable day secured.

The first William Haggas 2yo runner of the season Magic Box ran at Yarmouth and although supported in the market ran as a vast majority of the stables runners do first time out, ‘slowly away, ran green stayed on final furlong- beaten about 5L ‘. Some Punters will never learn !

The 3.33 at Yarmouth saw moves for the Sir Mark Prescott trained 3yo handicap debutant Requiem and the John Gosden Keble Spirit, also running in a handicap for the first time.

A very encouraging win from Keble Spirit 4/1 at Yarmouth as like some of the Haggas 3yo horses it won on the Turf after being given its first run as a 3yo on the AW. It’s good to see the Gosden horses running well . Keble Spirit showed a turn of foot off a strong pace despite being forced wide and is earmarked as a potential bet next time out if he is not too highly tried.

In the Epsom 3.55 the Haggas trained The Kings Falcon was sent off a well backed 6/5 favourite despite showing signs of temperament as a 2yo and being gelded. In a messy race, it was not surprising to see The Kings Falcon touched off by the well backed newcomer Jack Knife. I thought Murphy was very confident on the winner and although narrowly beaten I won’t be in a hurry to back The Kings Falcon next time out.

Onto the 4.25 at Epsom the intriguing 3yo Class 4 handicap which featured market moves for the Balding trained Oisin Murphy ridden Best Adventure and Sir William from the Haggas yard.

The winner Celeborn will be heading for oneof the big 1m handicaps at Haydock, York and possibly Royal Ascot as he was very impressive. Best Adventure was an eyecatcher and is a possible bet over 10f.

But Sir William looked to me that it wasn’t just being in need of the run that caused the defeat and he looked like one to avoid. Marquand rode him as the market suggested as a likely winner. It could be argued that the track didn’t suit him but he is not a horse i will be recommending as a bet based on that evidence.

Finally. onto Maelstrom in the 4.38 Yarmouth backed in from 10/3 to 5/4 and he finally broke the Haggas duck with 3yo’s running first time in a turf handicap this season without a run on the AW as a 3yo. The fast ground was a concern and after the race William Haggas said the horse had put on loads of weight and “didn’t think he was well handicapped.”

The race was over after 1f and without doubt will win again. He is entered on Saturday and Monday under a penalty and if he is any sort of price will be a bet. I suspect though such was his superiority he maybe very short.

Very pleased with the day – the Haggas winner in the last shows the yards great form is now ready to accelerate further.

The flat racing on Wednesday is low grade fair and there is nothing remotely that interests – There will be bets at Catterick when Michael Dods yard hits form but his yard is yet to strike form and they are not ready to back yet even at his happy hunting ground.

No Bet Wednesday