9-1 NAP AND CORRECT 1,000 GUINEAS 1-2-3: Daqman napped the 9-1 winner of the Newmarket 1,000 Guineas yesterday with a 50-point bull’s-eye bet, naming the correct order in with a 1-2-3 for:
WON 9-1 WINTER (nap)
2ND 5-4 Rhododendron
3RD 5-1 Daban
THREE CLASSIC WINNERS IN TWO DAYS: It was Daqman’s third consecutive Classic winner in two days, taking him a furlong in front of his arch-rival, Pricewise of the Racing Post. It’s now 17-5, with Daqman 32 points clear to a level stake.
WON 6-4 CHURCHILL (2,000 Guineas banker nap)
WON 47-10 ALWAYS DREAMING (Kentucky Derby)
WON 9-1 WINTER (1,000 Guineas nap)
BIDDING FOR FOUR NAPS IN A ROW TODAY: Daqman is today looking for a fourth consecutive winning nap after Silent Echo (WON 2-1), Churchill and Winter. But first a review of his Early Bird horses, with knockouts and additions from recent racing.
TAKE 10-1 CLIFFS FOR THE DERBY
That’s better! In contrast to the 2,000 Guineas, we had a much better race of it for the 1,000 yesterday, with only Rhododendron’s traffic problems marring a cracking Classic.
The winner, Winter, was impressive and could be another Minding, while Rhododendron should soon get back among the Group-1 prizes, possibly at 1m 2f but maybe the Oaks.
The day started well for the Early Birds when we had a tentative win and place on Elbereth (2nd 25-1), hardly able to believe that Andrew Balding could step her up successfully to a Group 2.
But Balding, as shrewd as Stoute and Gosden when it comes to fillies, had been right all along, despite her huge SP. Nearly a 25-1 coup for him; nearly one for the Early Birds.
This pre-season list will merge with my pick of the first Classics and the Derby and Oaks trials this week. Here is the update and entries with, in brackets, form since selected as one to follow:
Bravery (10) DELETED
Cliffs Of Moher Forget Churchill for the Derby. Get ready for Cliffs Of Moher by taking around 10-1 with BETDAQ for Epsom.
By Galileo out of a Dansili mare, Cliffs has been working best of all among the Ballydoyle inner circle of three-year-old stars, with two Classics already in the bag.
You could see Cliffs Of Moher in Friday’s Dee Stakes at Chester or more likely next week in the Dante at York.
Convey (11) No entries at this time.
Cracksman Dante Stakes, York, May 18, before the Derby
Deauville (2) Huxley Stakes, Chester, Thursday, or Lockinge (May 20)
Dream Castle (120) DELETED
Elbereth (2) Interesting to see what Andrew Balding does with her now.
Flash Fire better than the bare form. Be patient.
Jack Hobbs (1) Coronation Cup, Epsom, June 2, or Royal Ascot (two entries)
King Of Naples (0) Hidden horse
Midterm Ormonde Stakes, Chester Friday, or Coronation Cup, Epsom, June 2
Mirage Dancer Dee Stakes Friday or Dante Stakes next week
Enable Cheshire Oaks, Wednesday, then Oaks (June 2) or Ribblesdale (June 22)
Faithful Promise (21) I’m hoping this one goes sprinting at Goodwood
Lancelot Du Lac Epsom Dash June 3
Limato King’s Stand Stakes or Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot
Marsha Added for all the top sprints after her dramatic Palace House victory
Nimr (1024) I still think there’s another good handicap in the Lincoln winner
Jalela (2), Night Circus (0), Mark Of Approval Runs Southwell today. The Wood Ditton is not working out and all three are DELETED after today’s Southwell race.
Peace Envoy Dante Stakes, York, May 18, or Irish 2,000 Guineas, May 27
Projection Newmarket gamble failed yesterday but Wokingham was always the target
Rhododendron Needs more than a mile now
Shutter Speed Oaks June 2 or Ribblesdale June 22
Winter Should have a great summer.
MONDAY’S EARLY BIRD
2.00 Ayr Pressure is on for a FOURTH NAP IN A ROW and Havana Grey fits the criteria on a busy start to the week. We’ll know our fate early as the grey runs in the opener at Ayr and will surely only need to improve even a little from his debut start at Nottingham to land this.
He was clearly showing plenty at home as was sent off the 5/4 favourite at Nottingham 16 days ago and showed lots of speed until being overhauled by the second favourite Simmy’s Copshop close home.
Go Now Go Now, a son of Kodiac, makes his debut for Mark Johnston but should in time show his best form over a longer trip.
Biggest danger may come from Che Bella who showed speed on debut at Ripon but ran very green and will know plenty more about the game today.
4.00 Ayr Could well be one for the old boy Jonny Delta who is out again quickly after showing a return to form at Musselburgh last week. The ten-year-old stayed on really well in the closing stages to chase home the favourite Sebastian’s Wish over a similar trip and he can go one better today.
Star Glitter is still down as running at the time of writing despite only running yesterday! He finished fourth at Hamilton over a shorter trip and didn’t give any obvious indicators that this longer trip would suit.
That leaves Hayward Field as the obvious danger, although he has been off the course for the best part of a year so fitness is a concern.
7.40 Chelmsford A Monday Godsend from Mr Gosden? Alnaas looked every inch a future winner when chasing home Princess De Lune at Newbury last time out and this race over the same seven furlong trip looks easier.
Isabel’s On It has more experience and is the likely favourite but might struggle to match the potential of Alnaas.
DAQMAN’S BETS
BET 9pts win (nap) HAVANA GREY (2.00 Ayr)
BET 5pts win JONNY DELTA (4.00 Ayr)
BET 6pts win ALNAAS (7.40 Chelmsford)
ANTE-POST BULL’S-EYE BET (win 50): 5pts win CLIFFS OF MOHER (Epsom Derby)
EARLY BIRDS: Mark Of Approval (2.40 Southwell)
