Andy Holding has three tips for today's racing at Vichy.
12:50 Vichy
A real trappy-looking sprint handicap for punters to lose plenty of sleep over, but as many of these took part in a similar contest at Chantilly two weeks ago, it may well pay to keep that race on side with view to finding today’s winner.
Golden Bello ran out a comfortable winner at the Oise-based track, but there were one or two in behind that caught the eye, notably runner-up KILFRUSH MEMORIES (best price 6-1) . Locked up behind a wall of horses approaching the furlong pole, the son of Shakespearean failed to get out in to the clear until very late, but given how well he finished off his race, it’s not too crazy to suggest he may have bustled up the eventual winner. Working on that basis, there’s no reason to suggest why he won’t go well again and from a good draw towards the stands side, the four-year-old certainly has decent place claims at the very least.
Another who didn’t enjoy the best of runs was ORANGEFIELD (best price 14-1) and he’s another to be considered at a double-figure price. Noted going well in behind the speed two out, the veteran got no run whatsoever from that point onward and, as a result, he was allowed to coast home in his own leisure in eighth. Whether he has the level of improvement than some of his younger rivals is open to question, but he did manage to beat one of the favourites for today’s race, Muttrah Fort, at Longchamp last season and it’s also worth pointing out that he’s one of only two C&D winners in the line-up.
Of the other refugees from that same contest 14 days ago, the likes of Vedeux and Ross Castle both came home well enough off the pace to suggest they are both in reasonable heart and of the pair, the former seems to have fared best with the draw being housed in stall five compared to the latter’s 16 box. Tudo Bem and Soho Starlight were third and fourth respectively and should both strip fitter for the run, while Muttrah Fort needs to improve a shade having been sent off as 11-2 market leader. Air De Valse drops down in grade following an excellent effort over seven-furlongs behind the useful Spinning Memories on her seasonal bow at Longchamp, but this will be the first time she’s raced over the minimum trip, so there are positives and negatives regarding her claims.
16:55 Vichy
Not a bad race to conclude the card and it comes as no surprise to see BERGAMASQUE (best price 9-2) towards the head of the betting. Promising on debut at Saint-Cloud this time last season, the Sea The Stars filly was well-supported to get off the mark at the second time of asking at Longchamp a month later and not only did she manage to do so with the minimum of fuss, it was a performance that more than hinted a touch of class. Not seen out for 359 days, Francois Graffard’s filly makes her eagerly-awaited return to action in a race that should tell connections a thing or two about what level she’s at, and even though there has to be an element of doubt about her overall fitness levels and the fact she’s dropping back in trip, it would still be a disappointment if she couldn’t keep her progressive profile moving forward.
Roc Angel is right up there with some of these ratings-wise and having finished a creditable sixth in last season’s Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot, we certainly know how good he can be on his day. That said, whether he has the scope for improvement as some of his rivals has to be questioned somewhat and he also has a bit to find with King Platin on his most recent outing at Cagnes-Sur-Mer.
Golden Box is the standard-bearer having been plying her trade at a higher level and she certainly has the form to land a race of this nature. No match for some smart stayers at Longchamp on her final start of the campaign, the daughter of Kitten’s Joy is better judged on her runner-up effort behind Muette in a listed contest over 1m4f previously and it’s just a question of whether she has the sharpness to win over today’s trip off the back of a 235-day absence.
There’s no doubt this assignment is a good deal tougher for Ficelle Du Houley than her win at Deauville last time out, but at least she appears to be going in the right direction on the evidence of that display and her fitness levels should be higher with that race coming just before the break.
