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
Don't miss out on all the latest talk from the tracks as Andy Ayres revels in an Arc to remember
WHAT a cracking race yesterday’s Arc de Triomphe was.
Enable was coaxed back to her brilliant best by genius trainer John Gosden, while poor old James Doyle boiled himself down to a feather-weight only to be chinned on Sea Of Class.
The winner’s a phenomenon but you had to feel for the runner-up who faced mission impossible from a draw out on the Champs Elysees.
Watching her slalom through a wall of horses was a bit special and she lost absolutely nothing in defeat.
Finding a new star is the name of the game at Tattersalls yearling sales this week and there will be fireworks when lot 325 swaggers into the ring on Wednesday.
He’s a brother to Lah Ti Dar and Too Darn Hot and racecourse rumour has it that a prominent owner who enjoyed Royal Ascot success this summer wants him whatever the price.
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The Godolphin and Coolmore camps will be equally keen on recruiting this potential A-student so it looks like being a sale that could break the bank.
Jamie Osborne doesn’t have the backing to play his chips at that table yet but he was red-hot at Ascot over the weekend.
The man with the million dollar grin sent out three well-backed winners including Raising Sand (9-1 to 5-1) who bagged a £180,000 handicap on Saturday.
That was the biggest win of a dream season for Nicola Currie who has put away the holiday brochures and is preparing for a winter in Blighty.
The crack apprentice explained: “I’ll be staying here riding on the all-weather. I’ve got to keep the ball rolling and get my name out there to make more contacts.”
Best bet horse of the weekend was Owen Burrows Tabdeed (9-2 to 6-4), who bolted-up in a hot 6f handicap at Ascot on Friday.
You don’t see many horses still pulling a furlong out in a sprint, but this fella did just that before blowing smoke in the face of some decent opposition.
Burrows could win with the yard moggy at the moment and clearly has high hopes for his horse, saying:
“Tabdeed showed a proper turn-of-foot. He’s got a bit to go before stepping up to Group class but he’s going in the right direction.”
No horse has improved more than What A Welcome this season and he was racking-up win number eight from his last nine starts when nabbing the 2m handicap.
Monday Magic
CRISTAL SPIRIT (7.15 Kempton) was a big eye-catcher when given plenty to do at Chelmsford last time and is weighted to win this weak event.
Patrick Chamings’ gelding is certainly no looker – if he had two legs he’d be a shoe-in for The Undateables – but he’s got the heart of a lion and is impossible to lick in a tight finish.
Connections are eyeing-up a trip to Doncaster for the November Handicap next and you wouldn’t want to bet against him.
RECORD HUNTER Superstar filly Enable could return next year for third Arc attempt
Award for last week’s oddest decision goes to Windsor racecourse, who opted to water the track for today’s meeting although there was a monsoon forecast on Saturday.
There’s every chance that has left the course riding like a paddy field and it might be safer to head to Kempton’s all weather for today’s best bet, namely CRISTAL SPIRIT in the 7.15.
He was given too much to do by Georgia Cox at Chelmsford last time and remains unexposed after a handful of starts.
James Doyle has been booked tonight and this could be a winner to help wash away his Arc blues.