The Daily Yankee
NAP OF THE DAY: River Arrow, (1450 Doncaster), 1pt win, 7/1:
Some interesting contenders at the top of the market in handicap debutant Rath An Iuir and revitalised veteran Kansas City Chief, but its a 9yo mare that catches our eye. Lightly raced for here age, River Arrow has some fair form at good tracks like Cheltenham and promises to do well over this flat track 3m. Comes here off a wind operation, and this track tends to help those types as it dries very quickly. Looks value and could be a bit of a gamble.
John Constable, (1500 Ludlow), 9/2: a friend to this blog in long distant days, but it’s nearly 2 yrs of failure since those lofty wins. Has slipped 36lbs in the ratings, which is understandable, but the last 7lbs have come after what looked like relatively promising efforts. Still well beaten but running on and seeing out his races, he will love this flatter easier track and any drying of the ground would help. His young jockey claims another 7lbs and he looks about ready to halt the decline.
Royal Thief, (1515 Punchestown), 7/2: a fascinating Pertemps qualifier, with a number of very interesting contenders not least Solomn Grundy and the reappearing mare Relegate. They may be ridden to qualify, whilst the novice Royal Thief is most in need of a ratings rise as well as qualification. He has looked a hardy stayer and his opening mark of 129 looks generous for the de Bromhead/Blackmore team who are invariably a big threat in these races.
Missed Approach, (1555 Doncaster), 11/2: hasn’t been seen much of late and has only had two runs since winning at the Cheltenham Festival in 2018. Generously handicapped just 3lbs higher than for that win, and freshly eligible for these veteran races having only just turned 10yo. Hard to know if he will be cherry ripe after a long absence, but trainer Greatrex usually has them pretty straight, and jockey Gavin Sheehan is riding with supreme confidence.
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