Copper’ll lay down law in Scurry clash
on the upgrade at the ripe old age of eight. DUKE OF FIRENZE (3.10) soon confirmed that impression next time out when staying on nicely close home to deny the useful Rasheeq off a mark of 103 at York in May.
The gelding arguably improved on that effort when scorching home late to finish third behind
Caspian Prince in the Epsom Dash and would probably have scored had he not lost a shoe.
He enjoys a handy 6lb pull in the weights with his old rival today and can take his revenge as long as David Allen can get him into a nice position from stall 16.
Griffiths said: “I think he’s definitely improving and it could possibly be his last time in a handicap. He’s up to 109 now so he’ll have to go for Group races. If he can match his Epsom run, maybe a couple of pounds better, it could see us there.”
That York handicap is also the key to the consolation Tartan Trophy which can go the way of
RASHEEQ (2.05). The four-year-old has been admirably consistent for shrewdie Tim Easterby this season and that narrow loss to the Nap has to go down as a career best.
The gelding backed up that effort with another eye-catching second on the Knavesmire and can defy top-weight thanks to Rachel Richardson’s 3lb claim.
Speaking of York, there’s a cracking card on the Knavesmire where last year’s runner-up
MASTERPAVER (1.50) can go one better in the ladies only Queen Mother’s Cup.
Richard Fahey’s gelding put in his best effort for a while when runner-up in a decent event at Lingfield last time and this will have been the plan ever since.
The JCB Handicap is about as competitive as you get this side of Royal Ascot but I really dig the chances of GET KNOTTED (2.20).
Michael Dods’ gelding has a fair record at this venue and was a decent third behind a couple of classy types over course and distance last time.
He’s since been shown a bit of leniency by the assessor and could be back on workable mark with a decent pace assured in this 18-runner showdown.
David O’Meara loves a winner at York and he can land the Ganton with his stable star
MONDIALISTE (2.55) A dual Grade 1 scorer across the Atlantic at his best, the son of
Galileo showed signs of a revival when fourth in the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown last time.
The drop back in trip and class should help and he can make his class tell in a trappy Listed contest.
EKHTIYAAR (3.30) can continue his rapid rise up the ladder in the Charity Sprint. The Bated Breath colt has been a credit to Roger Varian and was value for a bit more than the head verdict over Poet’s Princess when overcoming a troubled passage at HQ last month.
The handicapper has hit him with a 5lb penalty for that win but he is a real class act and can bag this big handicap prize en route to bigger and better things.
COPPER KNIGHT (2.40) rates a value bet in yet another fascinating renewal of the Scurry Stakes at Sandown.
The Easterby gelding seemed to have peaked at the end of last season but he has hit back in style this term with impressive wins at Chester and York.
This requires a bit more but Easterby is a dab hand with his sprinters and should have left plenty to work on with this admirable three-year-old.