NEWMARKET
2-30 RACEBETS.COM HANDICAP – 1 M 2 F
Spirit Of The Law went close over this course and distance last time out when finding only Calm Attitude too strong. The six-year-old has recorded five previous wins at this trip and having won on a variety of surfaces, he is as versatile as they come. Paddy Mathers has partnered him on a couple of occasions in the past and now that he knows exactly what he has beneath him, they should be able to go close here.
Azmaam has had plenty of runs over this course and distance and probably knows every blade of grass at Newmarket. Dane O’Neill has gone close on him previously and they look set to have their favoured fast surface. His last run at Ascot suggested that he was coming back to form and the duo could well prove the main dangers to the selection. Luca Cumani seems to have turned a corner with his runners and he sends Blue Waltz into battle this afternoon. Her best runs to date have come with a bit of cut in the ground, so connections will be praying for rain.
Richard Fahey has his string in excellent order and this son of Lawman is certainly holding his form well. He will appreciate the weight he receives from his main market rivals and that could make all the difference in a race such as this.
3-05 GERMAN BLOODSTOCK SALES HANDICAP – 7 FURLONGS
Mambo Paradise is a typical Mark Johnston runner. He has had numerous outings this summer accumulating with a fine second at Glorious Goodwood last week when chasing home his stablemate Enlace. He was doing all of his best work in the closing stages on that occasion and with Joe Fanning once again in the saddle, he has to be high on any shortlist.
Buckstay has been placed in many big race handicaps in the past and there is no doubt that he is a serious contender here. He does find winning hard though and it is of little surprise to see connections reach for first time cheek-pieces here. Jim Crowley has partnered him on at least half a dozen occasions in the past and they rate as very obvious dangers. Burn The Boats is an interesting runner on what will be his debut for Michael Murphy. Formerly trained in Ireland by Ger Lyons, this six-year-old has plenty of experience in big field handicaps. These older sorts tend to improve for a switch of stable and he is another with place prospects.
Mambo Paradise is very much an improver though and as a three-year-old he receives weight from the vast majority of his rivals. A low draw means that he is likely to try and race prominently and could well be hard to peg back despite a career high mark.
HAYDOCK
3-25 DICK HERN FILLIES’ STAKES (LISTED) – 1 MILE
Crowley’s Law deserves to get her head in front following her decent run behind Arabian Queen in a Group Three race at Epsom last time. The form of that race received a significant boost when the winner was placed behind Legatissimo at Goodwood in the Group One Nassau Stakes last week. She was only beaten a short head the last time she raced at this level and with more experience on her side now, she ought to be able to finally grab some black type here.
Merry Me was a fine runner up at Pontefract in a similar event last time when finding only Nakuti too good. She has improved with each run this season and another bold effort is expected given the good form of the Balding yard. Jim Crowley knows her inside out and the combination may well prove to be the biggest dangers to the selection. Roxy Star comes into this race looking for a fourth win in as many starts. This is however her toughest assignment to date and she looks to be up against it with fillies proven at the highest level in opposition. Pelerin showed a likeable attitude last time out and could sneak a place at a decent price for Marco Botti.
Crowley’s Law is bred to get every yard of this trip and a little further. She is one of the rising stars from Tom Dascombe’s yard and she renews her association with Richard Kingscote. Despite giving half a stone to the younger generation she seems to have a little touch of class and she should go well.
SELECTIONS
SATURDAY 2-30 NEWMARKET SPIRIT OF THE LAW
SATURDAY 3-05 NEWMARKET MAMBO PARADISE
SATURDAY 3-25 HAYDOCK CROWLEY’S LAW (E/W)
