15:30 Thirsk

Monday 30 April 2018

All13:5014:2014:5515:3016:0516:3517:0517:35

totesport.com Hunt Cup At wetherbyraces Saturday 5th May Novice Stakes

Off time: 15:31 | Winning time: 1m 42.52s

(4)

Blue Medici

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: B A Curtis| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife

33/1

Unraced tenth foal by Medicean out of Bluebelle. Cost 42,000 gns as a yearling and is a full-brother to winners Blue Maiden (6f-1m) and Blue Oyster (1m1f+).

Form:

(2)

Emperor Sakhee^h⁷²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: A Mullen| T: Karen McLintock

66/1

Won a couple of Hexham bumpers in early 2015, but has failed to complete in three starts over obstacles since (hurdles/chase). Off since May 2016 and lines up for his Flat debut at the age of eight.

Form:

(8)

Sharp Reply²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Sebastian Woods⁽⁷⁾| T: M Moubarak

100/1

Holy Roman Emperor gelding who was late to hit the racecourse at the age of four, but hasn't made much of an impression in a couple of AW starts (1m-1m2f). Dropped in trip for turf debut.

Form: 55

(5)

Bacacarat¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 78

6/4

Cost 110,000 gns as a juvenile, and ran well at Newmarket recently when finishing 2½L third to Porth Swtan (7f maiden good to soft). Should appreciate this longer trip and be competitive.

Form: 04-3

(1)

Holy Wings⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby

66/1

Fetched just £800 in January 2018 (€22,000 yearling). Tailed off on debut over C&D earlier this month behind Zaaki.

Form: 8

(3)

Slipstream^v⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: George Scott

20/1

Cost a whopping €420,000 as a yearling, so this Invincible Spirit colt really ought to be making a splash in this modest contest. Didn't get home over 1m at Newbury on his seasonal reappearance, so this easier track should suit.

Form: 8-7

(6)

Tamkeen¹⁸⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 80| BF

9/4

Finished runner up on his final two starts as a juvenile (7f Redcar, 1m+ Nottingham), so rates as an obvious contender as a result. His likely main market rival has the benefit of a recent run under his belt.

Form: 522-

(7)

The Navigator¹⁹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey

4/1

Mastercraftsman gelding who is a half-brother to the 6f juvenile winner Mustique. Needed the race on debut at Redcar (1m good to soft) in October 2017 when finishing 4½L third to Stephensons Rocket.

Form: 3-

(9)

Valdolobo²¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: P J McDonald| T: K R Burke| BF

8/1

Ran well on debut at Haydock in August 2017 (1m good to soft) when beaten a head and a short-head by the now 100-rated White Mocha. Disappointing next time at Redcar and gelded over the winter months.

Form: 34-

Forecasts

Bacacarat (6/4), Tamkeen (9/4), The Navigator (4/1), Valdolobo (8/1), Slipstream (20/1), Blue Medici (33/1), Holy Wings (66/1), Emperor Sakhee (66/1), Sharp Reply (100/1)

Safe to say that a number of these horses are potentially better than they've shown so far, with the €420,000 yearling Slipstream very much a case in point. Therefore, the market might prove informative with regards the potential winner. Valdolobo represents leading northern based owner John Dance, and he ran well on debut (solid form) before a rather tepid effort next time at Redcar. Tamkeen showed clear ability as a juvenile, but lines up for his seasonal appearance against the race-fit BACACARAT. His Newmarket third to Port Swtan is the best recent form on offer, and he should relish this slightly longer trip.