1:50 Coral Chesterfield Cup Hcap Cl2 (4yo+) 1m2f 18 run
ENFJAAR has improved since being gelded and fitted with a hood and attempts a hat-trick after a 1¾l victory over Botanical in the John Smiths. It might have been a career-best performance, but this is a deeper race, and that’s a lot of weight. He’s too short for me. TONY MONTANA also posted a career-best RPR when a 2¼l 3rd (of 20) to ENFJAAR in the same race LTO. However, the first and second, it could be argued, had the best of the draw; with only an additional pound to carry he now has an 8lb swing with ENFJAAR, and a better draw. Ding Dong won this in 2017. I think REAL GAIN is going to find the ground too quick although I do like the jockey booking and the step back up in trip.
DUAL IDENTITY a good winner at Sandown in May has been running well since and shaped better than his 5 ½ length 9th to Enfjaar in the John Smith’s Cup suggests. He didn’t get the gaps at York, and his syndicate manager, Sam Hoskins, told me:
Dual has been in good shape since his luckless run at York a couple of weeks ago. Ironically, it was just like his run in the Golden Mile at Goodwood last summer where his routes were totally cut off too. This time, however, he has an excellent draw in 3 and we will be trying to make more of it this time than at Sandown two starts ago. If we could sit a few back on the rail that would be ideal, not least as there is a cutaway up the straight which should assist those in behind the leaders. Whilst you couldn't say he is well handicapped, he is clearly capable of being competitive off this rating so let's hope he can run a big race tomorrow. A top four finish would be brilliant.
My trends shortlist, if you really want to be thoroughly confused, is TAKE HEART – KILLYBEGS WARRIOR – TRACK OF TIME – REAL GAIN – TEUMESSIAS FOX. I’m probably even-money to have mentioned the winner, but I am a huge fan of Johnny Murtagh, and his TAKE HEART is the best match on the trends there is. Down 1lb since his John Smith’s run LTO, he has a lot going for him and looks each-way value
TAKE HEART 3 pts e/w
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