JACOBS’ Crackers
Five-time Naps Table champ Moorestyle’s best bets…
SUNDAY SERVICE NATHANIEL is fast becoming a sire to follow and he can enhance his reputation further when LIQUID GOLD (nap) contests the 2.30 at Pontefract this afternoon.
On each of his three career starts, Richard Fahey’s youngster has shaped as though a test of stamina would suit and this step up to a mile and a half looks right on the money following an eye-catching second at Ayr over nine furlongs.
It could be an outstanding afternoon for Fahey who sends out the well entered newcomer SABELLUM in the novice event at 2.00 and top weight GIN IN
THE INN at 4.00.
The big race of the day is the Listed Pomfret Stakes at 3.30 and CUSTOM CUT is taken to lead all the way under Daniel Tudhope (above).
The eight-year-old has already bagged the Group Three Amethyst Stakes this season and has most to fear from the equally evergreen Gabrial.
THIS WEEK
Two festivals for the price of one this week with Glorious Goodwood and Galway going head to head.
For some reason the powers-that-be have brought forward the Goodwood Cup from Thursday to Tuesday.
Title holder Big Orange will be a popular choice to make all but at even-money he makes no appeal and I would much rather have an each-way play on Aidan O’Brien’s US ARMY RANGER at 16-1.
Runner-up in the 2016 Epsom Derby, the son of Galileo has been relatively disappointing since.
However, he looked a smart stayer in the making when second in the Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot and could be suited by the way this year’s race is run. SEAHENGE readily landed his maiden at Naas last month and is expected to follow up in the Vintage Stakes at 2.25, while the best bet on Wednesday could be the French trained ZENZAL in the Sussex Stakes at 3.35.
The Betfred Mile Handicap on Friday at 3.00 can go the way of Royal Hunt Cup fourth HORS DE COMBAT for the Denis Coakley yard.
The Galway Plate (5.35, Wednesday) looks wide open with the unexposd Balko Des Flos at the head of the market but ARBRE DE VIE off a lenient mark of 145 could be the answer.
The Galway Handicap Hurdle (4.35, Thursday) could go the way of last year’s fifth TIGRIS RIVER after he warmed up for this valuable event with a cosy win at Bellewstown four weeks ago.