Monday racing tips: Andy Ayres picks out his best bet for today’s racing while updating us on all the latest gossip from the tracks this weekend and his thoughts on the emerging star juveniles
Don't miss out on all the latest talk from the tracks as Andy Ayres discusses Too Darn Hot and some lesser known juveniles he thinks it will pay to follow
ANYTHING you can do, I can do better – that was the tune being hummed by connections of our top two-year-olds on Saturday.
At 3.25 Aidan O’Brien’s crack colt Ten Sovereigns laughed at a decent field in a hot Group 3 at The Curragh - 10 minutes later John Gosden’s Too Darn Hot frazzled proven Group horses in Sandown’s Solario Stakes.
There’s something a bit special about Too Darn Hot – he’s got that flash of brilliance that makes him rare as a four-leaf clover.
The London punters have already taken him to their hearts – he got a massive roar when booting clear on Saturday – and this smashing colt might just win them the Derby next summer.
The weekend wasn’t all back-slapping and high-fives for Gosden. Along with Sir Michael Stoute he was given a tug by the stewards’ to explain why their two-year-olds were diabolically late into the paddock before a maiden at Sandown on Friday.
Both played the `difficult to saddle’ card but, truth be told, have plenty of previous when it comes to swerving the paddock.
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Of course, they are bang out of order – it’s a given that punters should see the runners before a race - and I just wonder if they’d get their horses in on time if a no-show meant no-run.
As it happens, one of the Gosden babes was a real eye-catcher on this card, namely Buffalo River in division 2 of the 7f maiden.
He’s a big, raw-boned colt and looked nailed on to win when hitting the front before being nabbed by the rallying Almania. The result would be reversed if they had a rematch and Buffalo River is definitely a name for your little black book.
That was one of several results that murdered in-running punters at Sandown on Friday. These fellas bet fast, late and in the sort of figures that could pay the Greek national debt.
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There’s money to be won and fortunes to be lost at the in-running game and I’ve seen a few racecourse regulars go west after dipping a toe in that shark-infested pond.
One chirpy but luckless character – Tony `The Pimp’ – lost three houses, two wives and a dodgy Jaguar playing the in-running markets.
To be fair, Tony would have struggled to call a game of bingo let alone a tight finish. The man was a trier though - last I heard he was `manufacturing’ iffy Callaway golf clubs in his back bedroom!
Apprentice Jason Watson has improved hand-over-fist this summer and has a lively book of rides at Windsor today.
Monday magic
DAIGAN (6.30 Windsor) shaped well here last time and has the scope to defy top weight on his handicap debut
He could well bag a winner or two and must be hopeful about DAGIAN’s chance in the 6.30.
This gelding cost 200,000gns and has been brought to the boil slowly by Amanda Perrett, posting a personal best when chasing a smart one home here last time.
This step-up in trip will help and, with young Watson’s 3lbs claim easing the load, he can make a winning handicap debut.