Didn't get a chance to post last week as was at a conference but a cheeky 66/1ew with Al Salt was nice, although I backed it at 16s and was not BOG!
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1.30 - None of these are in particularly good form, nor really well handicapped on paper. If ignored current form, Condor Pasa, Maplewood and Mythical Dancer are of interest. The first two are similar in that ran decent races on last two turf starts but stinkers on dirt since then. Not sure how much more improvement could be from Maplewood, but perhaps Tudhope can eek out some. Condor Pasa is well handicapped on C&D form and now Nass is coming back to form could be interesting. Mythical Dancer is being brought back slowly by Seemar after chunks of time off the track, but put best forward and could win by a few. All 3 are risky :)
Will back both Maplewood 15/2 and Condor Pasa 13/2. Split Stakes. Otn
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2.05 - Likely between the top 2 here, but Faal Khair, we know stays, and has come here instead of the Saudi Derby. Seems to be bit of money for it. Nothing other than this and Royal Favour seeing support at time of writing. Faal Khair 16/1ew
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2.40 - Two horses who run in the UK interest me most. Silver Sword and Padishakh. Silver Sword is really well handicapped on best form but not shown improvement out here and whilst best runs were on fast ground winning at York and Pontefract are not the same as winning at Meydan? Is it? Padishakh made up a lot of ground from the back lto. The race time was quick. If can build upon that race and doesn't get as far back I think Danny can get this home. Loves the fast ground. Emperor's Star is the obvious danger. Was trapped for a fair bit before getting out in the clear but did have his chance to win. Prefer Padishakh 16/1ew over 2/1 for the fave. Small rfc for banter.
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3.15 - Queen Azteca Evs. Can't see anything else winning this, but many unexposed here and up in trip, so nothing to go heavy on.
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3.50 - 5 horse race with a 4/11 fave. No thanks
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4.25 - Thought Book Review was going to hold on for a 40/1 win couple weeks back, but alas. From stall 10 could still get to the front but think stalls 8 & 9 will also try. Be annoyed if wins but leaving it today. Aldhaja won over C& from same stall in Dec with same jock. Stable still winning races. Up 5lb but doesn't look an overly competitive race, that said want to take a gamble on Al Maroom staying 10f. If stays can go really close. If was over 8f I'd be backing this. Such a crap race shouldn't be betting, but splitting stakes across Al Maroom 14/1 and Aldhaja 15/2
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5.00 - Don't think there's much improvement / if any with any of this lot other than Keffaaf, so for me it's about who turns up and runs best and what's the value. If Dubai Future turns up, wins, but not back an SBS horse in a long time. Goya Senora ran okay behind Keffaf but then ran badly lto. Caius wants slower ground. Can't back KoC to break Meydan curse, so leaves Keffaf and Onesmoothoperator. The latter was poor lto, but actually ran lame. Reunited with Connor who is riding well atm and won the northumberland plate on onesmoothoperator. Could be the reason for a poor show was the lame right leg? Let's take a punt on it. Onesmoothoperator 9/1ew
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5.35 - Pipes and Dreams fluffed the start last time and recovered to be second in the home straight still travelling well. Didn't stay. Has a low draw, so if can break cleanly can make all. Klimt Street dropped in trip for the first time I thought ran really well. Has run some decent races here over 7f, so if can apply more speed with a good claim will outrun odds. Pipes and Dreams 10/1ew and Klimt Street 28/1ew
