Juliette's weekly frolic
Sharp Edge sailed in at the Curragh and the great classic success story goes rolling on. Admittedly his eventual starting price of 5-2 was nothing to shout about, but at least he won, which is more than can be said for my pair on duty in England. Besides, by trouncing the Irish in their own Guineas, Mr Astor's grey paid a smashing compliment to his conquerors in ours, and with no new stars looming on the horizon, time is now ripe for my annual plunge into the Derby pool. Mon Fils or Noble Decree, who shall have my blessing? Well, now that Piggott's jilted the latter in favour of Cavo Doro, it seems wisest to snap up Mon Fils while he's still 7-1, at the same time coupling him with the filly, Where You Lead, for a promising Epsom double. By Raise A Native out of Noblesse, owned by Clore Jnr, trained by O'Brien and ridden by Piggott, she should ensure that gentleman has at least one classic winner.
This Saturday Newbury goes in for all round entertainment. An early start is advisable, for at 1.45 we're going spinning back to days gone by as Ian Balding takes on the Duke of Alburquerque in the first of an eight-heat series of gentlemen-rider matches. wouldn't care to bet on the outcome — though the bookies are graciously allowing us to do so — and will wait for the next event, the final of the Gold Leaf Point to-Point Championship. Under a new rule those ' professional ' hunter-chasers, Dr Zhivago, Lord Fortune and Mighty Red must con cede up to 18Ib to their more humble brethren, whose triumphs have been confined to point-to points. A severe task but experience is everything, or nearly so.
and Dr Zhivago has really excelled himself this season, in all kinds of company. He even gave 1lb and a 3-length beating to the subsequent Scottish National winner in the Worcester Porcelain 'Chase, and should get his revenge on Lord Fortune who beat him easily at the Cheltenham festival.
And so to the Flat and the featured £10,000 Lockinge Stakes.
Those top-rank milers, Sparkler, Sun Prince and Martinmas head a high class field but I cannot close my eyes to the charms of the rapidly improving northerner, Royal Prerogative and give him the vote.
Highlight of Haydock's first flat fixture of the season, the Cecil Frail Handicap should go to Apple King. The Northern Free Handicap winner, and 2,000 Guineas twelfth slipped in here with 8.4 before winning easily at York.
Assets: £98.28. Outlay: £3 to win Dr Zhivago, Royal Prerogative & Apple King, £1 e.w. dble Mon Fils (7-1) Where You Lead (8-)),
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