Montatham York form gets weekend boost
The mile handicap at York’s Ebor meeting won by Montatham appealed as being a strong race at the time, and subsequent events have added plenty of substance to that viewpoint.
Top Rank may have lost his unbeaten record at York but he shaped nicely to finish a close-up third, and he took a small step forward when bouncing back to winning ways in the Group 3 Superior Mile at Haydock on Saturday, showing a cracking attitude to get the better of some other progressive types, advancing his rating to 121p from 118p.
The form of the York race was also given a boost by Shelir’s comfortable win at Thirsk on Friday, while Walhaan was only denied by the lightly-raced and progressive Tempus at Ascot on the same afternoon. Given he has such strong form to his name, Montatham is understandably prominent in the betting for the Cambridgeshire Handicap at Newmarket later this month.
Stick La Barossa and Derab in the tracker
The seven-furlong juvenile maiden at Ascot on Friday was run at a steady gallop and didn’t pose much of a stamina test, but the first two home, La Barossa and Derab, managed to set themselves apart from the rest, looking good prospects.
La Barossa, trained by Charlie Appleby, was sent off the 2/1 favourite and showed plenty of ability on debut, impressing with the way he made his ground, quickening to lead over a furlong out and always looking in control. He earned a rating of 95p and is one to note.
La Barossa was chased home by Derab (91p), who like his half-sister Enable is trained by John Gosden. Derab travelled nicely but had to wait for a gap, conceding first run in a tactical race.
He never looked like overhauling the winner but ran on well under a hands-and-heels ride, pulling two and three-quarter lengths clear of the third, and seems sure to progress.
Dream of Dreams first Group 1 win
Dream of Dreams was an authoritative winner of the Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday, belatedly bagging a first win at Group 1 level.
Dream of Dreams may be a six-year-old, but he has undoubtedly taken his form to a new level this season, with Saturday’s victory coming hot on the heels of a seven-length rout in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury last month.
Dream of Dreams, who has advanced his Timeform rating to 125 from 121 this season, is by no means the only six-year-old flying the flag for the older horses as Battaash (136), Enable (129) and Stradivarius (130) are also part of a vintage crop born in 2014.
Recommended Reading:
- Placing bets is easier than ever with Paddy Power News’ live odds banners
- Sprint over to all the top tips and racing previews now
- Horse Racing: How to watch racing for free with Paddy Power
- Paddy Power takes aim at ‘after-timer’ punters who ruin racing with brilliant rant
- Ruby Walsh: My dark horse for the National Hunt season and last weekend’s eye-catchers
The Paddy Power Guide To Responsible Gambling – Everything You Need To Know
