GOSDEN’S ON A ROLL
SPARKLE ROLL (3.35) can maintain John Gosden’s domination of the Musidora Stakes at York.
The daughter of Kingman has made rapid progress and oozed class when slamming
King Power at Sandown. This imposing filly looked an Oaks contender that day and can book her place at Epsom with another serious show.
The Jorvik Handicap is not for the faint-hearted but I’m rowing in with CRYSTAL KING (1.50). Sir Michael Stoute’s fouryear-old was upwardly mobile last year and resumed with an impressive defeat of Sleeping
Lion at Wolverhampton. The Infinity Tyres Handicap is also competitive but I will side with ALJADY (2.25) who has developed into a quality sprinter and claimed a cracking second to Tabdeed at Ascot.
The four-year-old goes well fresh and can improve past some exposed rivals. YAFTA (3.0) can shade a cracking renewal of the Duke Of York Stakes for Richard Hannon.
The son of Dark Angel spent last term on a sharp upward curve and showed a potent turn of foot when landing a hot Group 3 at Newbury in August.
Likely to be even better at four, the grey can add this Group 2 to his CV after an excellent warm-up run at Newmarket.
PASSING CALL (2.10) is well worth a punt in the ROA Handicap Hurdle at Newton Abbot. Alan King’s mare rattled off a hat-trick last summer and ran with credit when third in two Listed races in December.
The six-year-old has been shown some leniency by the handicapper so can regain the winning thread down in class.
THE BOOLA BEE (7.35) can sting her rivals in the Holiday Inn Handicap Chase at Perth.
Nigel Hawke’s mare absolutely bolted up at Warwick on Saturday and connections have wisely decided to strike when the iron is hot.
SHANROE AL C (8.05) did it nicely over course and distance recently and Karl Thornton’s reliable hurdler remains fairly treated.
The racing world has been shocked by the news Michael O’Leary is winding down Team Gigginstown.
The Grand National-winning owner is phasing out his involvement in Jump racing over the next five years.