ITV7 picks: 27th May
With the action coming from Goodwood, Haydock, York and one from over at the Curragh in Ireland. Here we take a look at each of the races for you on The Cheeky Punts as there's £50k up for grabs once again
The Previews
2.05G: Race 1
It could be worth sticking with Tafreej who maybe found the soft ground against him when only 3rd LTO and a return to quicker ground here should be work in favour for the Haggas charge. He's also got a good draw in stall 2 so should go well. Yacowlef has been running well on the softer ground but should still be in contention despite a 6lb rise in the weights and Seeking Gold could now be well weighted (and is drawn in stall 1). At a bigger price Hectic looks to have an each way chance and with a good claimer onboard, Alec Volkhasnky taking off 5lb, can make his presence felt with a late charge
2.25H: Race 2
A competitive looking handicap here that can see Frankie Dettori back in the winners enclosure for the Gosdens with the Judmonte runner Covey. He won on his only turf start to date and followed that up, albeit at 1/16, on the all weather LTO and there could be more to come from him. Another I like here is Defence of Fort who wasn't disgraced when running in G3 company on ground that may not have been ideal. A step up to a mile, and on quicker ground, having been gelded could see a big run here at a decent price down in grade
2.40Y: Race 3
Over to York next for a 5f dash and on paper this looks a shootout between the top 2 in the market, Korker and Mondammej. Preference though is for Korker who beat a number of these when finishing 2nd over C&D a few weeks ago and can confirm running here with a number who re-oppose. Mondammej could prove to be well handicapped now but last won back in November 2021, the last run was a bit more promising though so hes not totally ruled out. Bedford Flyer was behind Korker LTO but can go well again and at bigger prices Zarzyni can out run his odds and Sound of Iona may have an each way chance with Amie Wough taking off 5lb
3.00H: Race 4
A Group 2 affair here and the market is headed by Little Big Bear for the ever impressive O'Brien yard. He was unbeaten as a 2YO but was very disappointing when coming home last in the Guineas earlier this month so will be looking to bounce back here. Bradsell looks the chief danger and Cold Case made all in a G3 at Ascot but should find this tougher. Al Dasim looks to be one on the up and with top jockey Will Buick onboard he ranks as my 2nd pick here
3.15Y: Race 5
It could well be a good day for the favourite backers as I think the fav here, Mimikyu, looks the one to beat. She won over todays trip at Doncaster back in September so should have no issue staying although I think there is a slight question mark over the quicker ground. As an alternative River Stars can be bang in the mix but Sea Flawless is lightly race but has won 2 from 3 and steps up in trip here. Out of Sea the Stars its not an obvious move to step up but trainer William Haggas has a strong record here so she could be worth a speculative risk
3.30H: Race 6
The last of the UK races for the ITV7 here and its another Group 2 at Haydock where I am siding with Royal Aclaim to bounce back. The last 2 runs were a little disappointing at the end of last year when returning a beaten favourite in both but he should go well fresh and the Tate yard has been in good form of late. The Platinum Queen had a great 2YO campaign so has to be respected for Roger Varian and Twighlight Calls can figure in the Cheveley silks. A case can also be made for a number of others including Happy Romance & Dramatised and at a bigger price Annaf looks an interesting runner for trainer Michael Appleby although his Godolphin runners in particular have been running below form of late (although Annaf doesn't run in the famous blue)
3.40C: Race 7
We finish off over in Ireland with the Irish 2000 Guineas (a Group 1) where Royal Scotsman heads the betting but my preference is for Hi Royal who ran a cracker in the English version of this finishing 2nd behind Chaldean (at 125/1). Oisin Murphy is in the saddle again for this one and he should give another good account here. Paddington is the main Ballydoyle challenger with Ryan Moore onboard but may be better with a bit more cut in the ground, he does look the pick of the O'Brien challengers though but its always foolish to write off the main man who also runs Cairo and Age of Kings. At a big price Quar Shamar could surprise as a really unexposed shot who makes a massive step up here having won a maiden on the AW LTO. He'd be my cheeky each way punt here but ranks a risky one so you wouldn't want to have £50k riding on him if you hit the first 6 winners!
And don't forget you can find more from us with the Saturday NAP here and the best of the rest here as well as all the racing writers NAPs for the day here
Our ITV7 Selections
