DELPHINI VALUE TO STORM TEMPLE
20-1 shot a real tempter
CHARLIE McCANN BRETT WILLIAMS
WASHINGTON DC is our 7-2 favourite for today’s Temple Stakes at Haydock (4.05) – but the real value could be elsewhere.
The Ballydoyle runner will be fit for this assignment and the quick conditions are expected to suit this speedball.
Quiet Reflection, a 9-2 shot, will find the ground against her and connections will be doing a rain dance.
Others backed at decent odds include Waady (9-1) and Alpha Delphini, who is overpriced at 20-1.
From 10am Stan James will be top industry price all runners in the 5f showpiece.
Harry Angel (5-4) is the one to catch in the Sandy Lane Stakes (3.35) after a gallant effort at Ascot last time.
Clive Cox’s charge is already 6-1 to claim the Commonwealth Cup next month – a price that could shorten after today’s race.
The best-backed horse of the weekend is the Tim Easterby-trained East Street Revue in York’s 3.50.
Now into 6-1 favouritism, the gamble opened at 12-1.
At Goodwood in the 3.10, Top Score takes a step back down in class and trip and has been very popular in the market at 9-1.
Churchill is a warm order to win the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh and it’s difficult to oppose this top-class colt in what looks an extremely ordinary Brett Williams looks at all the weekend racing action renewal of the Irish Classic. Acapulco has the Greenlands Stakes at her mercy and Raymonda will strip much fitter for her reappearance and should bag the Lanwades Stud Stakes.
The Irish 1,000 Guineas tomorrow has seen opposition to odds-on Winter, with support for Aneen, who is now 9-1 from 12s.
In Friday’s Oaks at Epsom, standardsetter Rhododendron is reported to be blooming.
However, Enable has been clipped into 3-1 after good gallop reports from John Gosden.
Quicker
Horseplay had a spin around the track with Coronation Cup contender Elbereth at last week’s Breakfast with the Stars and with that experience under her belt, 10-1 could be too big a price.
In the Coronation Cup, Highland Reel was below par in the Sheema Classic when the ground was too soft.
With the forecast conditions set to be much quicker, we go 6-4 that last season’s King George winner can reverse form with 7-2 chance Jack Hobbs.
If taking his chance, 10-1 Hawkbill could be a big danger.