The first runner on Friday Bulletsnap in the 6f Nursery at Doncaster looks to be by far the most likely Somerville Lodge winner of the weekend.
The 2yo was originally purchased by the Stauffenberg racing operation probably to give them a runner at Royal Ascot. He held an entry in the Coventry Stakes until the final declarations.
In a pre Royal Ascot preview William Haggas mentioned the horse but commented that he wouldn’t run due to the ground being ‘unsuitable.’
He had debuted just days before the Royal meeting running with a great deal of promise at Goodwood on going described by Timeform as Soft.
With the Ascot run not possible he was sold to one of Somerville Lodge’s key patron’s Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum and much was expected of the son of Minzaal when he ran for the first time for his new owner in a small field quality maiden at Doncaster. He ran well but didn’t stay 7f behind the now 105 rated Quest for Stars beaten just under a length.
Given another six weeks to strengthen he then went to Windsor where he was thought to be a steering job but come up against the 90 rated Crown and Two. Bulletsnap was never going well and finished a disappointing 4th. It was at this time when the Somerville Lodge juveniles were very in and out and a line can be put through that run.
He did break his duck at Ripon just under 4 weeks later in no uncertain manner on good ground beating Scenic Route by over 6l, making all the running in eye catching style. The handicapper put him up 9lb for the victory to a mark of 87, but through the runner up still looks well handicapped. Scenic Route on the run before had been third behind Bulletsnap’s stable mate Mezzo Forte, now rated 97. the runner up Bayraktor beat the 96 rated Arthurian on his next start and the only other two in the first 6 to have run have both been impressive winners of their next starts.
The race has cut up which has meant Bulletsnap is now an even money chance. Too short for my betting interests but he should make all and win with a bit in hand. The ground should be another plus point as his family on the dam’s side excelled in Soft conditions.
The Irish based breeding operation that bred him specialize in sprinters and their recent success stories include Flora of Bermuda. The son of Minzaal could be a sprinter to follow in 2027.
Power Fizz has been one of a very few Somerville Lodge 4yo handicappers to justify staying in training as a 4yo. Along with Another Abbot and Opportunity he is one of only 3 to win more than 1 handicap so far this season.
He was a surprise winner at York but backed that up with an ok performance up in trip finishing 6th back on the Knavesmire but beaten over 10L. My impression was that the win at York flattered him and aside from the plotted up U Sure Do the form is poor. He is due to go the sales starting on Monday and I suspect that is the main reason for taking his place in the 7f handicap at 3.45 on Friday. Up in grade to Class 2 – he makes little appeal as a punting proposition.
In the 7f 2yo contest at 3.20 Fortis Fortuna makes her debut. She is bred ‘to be anything’ and owned by the Bloom – McAleavy team the market will be informative. There are a couple of Charlie Appleby trained Godolphin fillies in a race which is of great future interest – but not for betting.
Finally at Doncaster In the 4.30 3yo Class 4 handicap Art Lover is another 3yo that has yet to win this season and is now on his 7th attempt. Unlike many of his 3yo stable mates in this grade he has ran consistently well but as a consequence the handicapper has dropped him only 1lb since the start of the season.
His only disappointing run was on Heavy ground at Haydock. I have a hunch he will go close but this year’s stats suggest it is a folly to back him. He is another heading for the sales next week, which suggests the run is more in hope than expectation of a win.
At Wolverhampton the 3yo filly Caraway bids to win her third handicap of the season in the 12f Class 5 event that ends the days racing at 8.30. She is one of just five three year olds to have won more than a single handicap this season along with Infraad, Thunder Call, Silver Lake Hoseki and Venetian Lion she is in lofty company.
We have backed her on both her wins at 9/2 and 5/1 and on two other occasions once at Yarmouth, in a Class 4 handicap and also here at Wolverhampton when she would have Won but for being almost knocked over.
She may well go in again but a 5 runner field with a questionable pace forecast is exactly what she doesn’t need. She will be a short enough price so I am happy to let her win unbacked.
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