WIN TIP. Richard Hughes believes he can win on Wentworth in the Listed Fortune Stakes at Sandown today.
Dame Fortune always plays a huge part in the Sport Of Kings and on the first Sunday of October in Paris last year no horse was dealt a more rotten hand of cards than Japanese-trained Orfevre, who looked set to give his country their first success in the Arc until he veered badly left and collided with a rail in the final 300m, even then being beaten only a neck.
Orfevre was back at Longchamp last weekend and ran as straight as an arrow to clock an impressive three-length triumph in his dress rehearsal, the Prix Foy. The opposition was probably more Economy than Club but it was the imperious manner of the success that stamped this awesome individual as a massive player for the 6 October feature.
Most bookmakers have Orfevre sharing favouritism for the Arc with Criquette Head’s unbeaten three-year-old filly Treve, who came from last to first to score a spectacular victory in the Prix Vermeille.
Frankie Dettori, revelling in being back in the big time as retained jockey to Qatar owner Sheikh Joaan Al Thani, was celebrating his first Group 1 success since his ban for cocaine last autumn and having treated the Parisians to his customary flying dismount, the charismatic Italian said: “This is the first proper horse that I have sat on for a long time and it feels great. She is an exceptional filly with a brilliant turn of foot and if we get a low draw in the Arc, she will be very hard to beat.”
German-trained King George winner Novellist is hanging on to third place in the ante-post market but close on his heels now come Kizuna and Ruler Of The World, who fought out a thrilling finish to the Prix Niel, with the Japanese raider just coming out on top in a photo-finish.
Kizuna, who won the Japan Derby, was given a great ride by Yutaka Take but Ryan Moore is adamant that he would have won on Epsom Derby winner Ruler Of The World had he not been checked for a stride at the 200m pole.
In an ordinary year, both would merit the utmost respect for the big day but this is no average renewal and neither quite look to have the same flash of brilliance of Orfevre and Treve.
Ruler Of The World will be Aidan O’Brien’s No 1 for the race but last year’s Derby winner Camelot, pulled out of the trials because of the soft ground, could still run if the going dries up over the next three weeks. Coolmore are also considering supplementing Leading Light, who was a thoroughly worthy winner of the St Leger – the world’s oldest classic – at Doncaster on Saturday.
The weather forecasters got it badly wrong and, sadly, Excessive Knowledge, my selection, was sunk without trace in holding ground, which resembled a sticky toffee pudding. But all credit to Leading Light, who found plenty up the long Town Moor straight to hold off Oaks heroine Talent.
O’Brien has three of the first four in the betting for next year’s 2000 Guineas but while John Gosden’s Kingman still holds pole-position, Richard Hannon-trained Toormore also looks a live candidate following his all-the-way success in the G1 National Stakes at The Curragh on Sunday. He is uncomplicated and he goes on any ground, so, while no Canford Cliffs or Toronado, you ignore him at your peril.
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The delivery of my lucky pin to find the winner of the 27-runner Ayr Gold Cup next Saturday is imminent – the 1200m cavalry charge is rated one of the toughest puzzles punters are asked to solve in the entire season – but meanwhile I can recommend we play on WENTWORTH in the Listed Fortune Stakes at Sandown today.
Wentworth is owned by Coolmore and trained by Hannon and while the long-term plan to win the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot went astray, he did come good in style at Glorious Goodwood.
Champion jockey Richard Hughes, who rides Wentworth, pulled me aside on the gallops yesterday morning and said: “Mark my words, you have not yet seen the best of Wentworth.
“The ground was too quick for him at Ascot and again at Sandown and he only just got away with it at Goodwood – he is crying out for some soft going and when he does get his conditions, he will show everyone how good he is. He’ll get his ground at Sandown and we’ll be disappointed if he is beaten because he is definitely better than a handicapper – he is Listed and maybe even Group 3 or 2 standard.” Penitent looks the danger.
RIBBONS has been working the house down at home and can maintain her unbeaten record in the Listed race at Yarmouth today. Close At Hand could be the one for the Exacta, while keep an eye on Gosden’s newcomer THRONE ROOM in the opener. This is an Oasis Dream half-brother to Nathaniel but the ground will be soft, so I hope he takes after his mum rather than his dad.
Reverting to Ayr for Saturday’s big sprint, the pin has just arrived and though there is a strong word for Baccarat, Hoof It and Tropics, the pin has come down in favour of Charlie Hills’ charge SHROPSHIRE. He has been laid out for the race and at around 25-1, looks a value Eachway bet.
He was runner-up in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot, ran another cracker in the Stewards Cup at Goodwood and did not quite stay the extra 200m at Doncaster last week.
At Newbury on Saturday, I would want to be on unbeaten and very speedy SHAMSHON if he runs in the G2 Mill Reef Stakes, though he could possibly be kept back for the Middle Park Stakes the following weekend.
GRANDEUR, who has been running well in America, should appreciate dropping in grade for the G3 Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup and JUSTINEO, who blitzed home in last week’s Scarborough Stakes at Doncaster, can win again if he turns out for the World Trophy.
