Four meetings today and the shape of it is straightforward. Epsom gives us a horse we’re happy to lean on, and the rest of the country is where you go digging for a price. We’ve got a spread of six picks at short odds and nine that pay their way each-way, so there’s something for every temperament on this card.
Epsom is the one to build around. Alma Latina won her maiden going away by three and a half lengths, and the way she did it said there was plenty left in the tank. The step up to twelve furlongs looks the making of her, Beckett has the yard in rude health, and she sets the standard in her race. She’s short for a reason. Later on the same card, Fram Castle shapes as the one to beat on his best figures over the trip. There’s a fitness question after a long layoff, but the yard is flying and a double-figure price on a horse with that profile is worth a small each-way stake. Ricardo Phillips fits the same bracket, beaten just over a length off this mark last time with his numbers climbing and a kind draw in stall four to help him.
Thirsk is where the real rummaging happens. Five picks across the afternoon, all of them prices, and Asia Force is the one we keep coming back to. He’s a rangy stayer who has been crying out for this trip. His seconds and thirds all came over shorter, and twelve furlongs looks the making of him, especially after a recent Chester third at a track that was never going to flatter him. Around him, Hurstwood, Go Lockers Go, Veblen Good and Vince Le Prince all make the staking plan on merit.
Bath rounds off the evening and Campeona catches the eye late on. She’s spent too long racing over trips short of her stamina, and this stiff staying test is exactly what her pedigree is built for. Recent figures flatter to deceive. Step her up in distance and she can leave them behind. Over in Ireland, Fairyhouse chips in with I’m Spartacus and Caitouna, both each-way calls at generous numbers.
Yesterday did the business. Three winners from five in King Of Stars, Native Instinct and Tonal, with Coconut Bay and Annexation filling places behind them. A day like that keeps the confidence high heading into a card with this much on it. Get stuck in and enjoy the racing.