Week-end Preview

Rather average resultson Thursday where only 2 of the 4 recommendations hit the target. La Estrella and Solar Sky won, but the 2 Godolphin starters flopped badly with Huma Bird and Light Burst unplaced.

This coming week-end of racing is as exciting as I can ever remember, particularly because of the presence of foreign stars showcasing their talents. Let's start in the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock where Overdose finally gets the chance to justify his massive reputation as one of the best sprinters in the world. If he's anywhere near his best, he will win. In my opinion, the only horse that could give him some sort of challenge in this race is Kingsgate Native. Still, I think the Budapest Bullet is one level above and I recommend him to Win.

In the first race at Lingfield, I can see Crystal Gem from the Hannon yard to win or place in the 5-horse field. The yard is in great form and opposition does not look anything special. I recommend the Cadeaux Genereux filly as a Place.

In the 15:20 Listed Festival Stakes at Goodwood, Al Zir makes a lot of appeal. The 10 furlong distance will suit the Godolphin star for his debut, and barring any fitness issues, he should be in the first 3. He is thus recommended as a Place.

The Irish 2000 Guineas will be run on Saturday and this looks to be a very close contest. I like the chances of Zabarajad, who looks to progress from his second place a little more than a fortnight ago. Although there are some big names in the field like Dubawi Gold and Roderic O'Connor, there is nothing in there that screams as a banker. So, I would put a lightweight recommendation on Zabarajad to Place, as long as its Place odds are around or over 2/1.

Still at the Curragh on Sunday, there does not look like anything can stop So You Think in the Tattersalls Gold Cup. He's my punt of the week-end and is a highweight recommendation to Win.

In football, the Premier League will solve the last remaining piece of this year's puzzle, i.e, the relegation battle. There are 2 spots to be filled between most probably 3 teams; Wigan, Birmingham and Blackpool. All of the 3 relegation candidates will be travelling to teams that do not have much to play for as their last match. Wigan go to Stoke, Birmingham to Tottenham and Blackpool to Man Utd. So, much will decide on the hosts' team sheets at kick-off time. I cannot see any of the visitors winning and the most they can hope for is a valuable point, in my opinion. My feeling is that Wigan will lose at Stoke. Same for Blackpool where even a Man Utd B team have enough firepower to beat them. Birmingham might snatch a point that saves them at White Hart Lane, but they won't win there. So, for me, it's Wigan and Blackpool to go down, but it would be speculative to have a recommendation on the unfolding of this battle.


Win: Overdose, So You Think.

Place: Zabarajad, Crystal Gem, Al Zir.