There are some very promising individuals in the line up. The problem is
how to pick the one which will show the greatest improvement. Barbajoun,
Botanical and Sabbeeh are three who fall into this category. If pressed I
would choose Sabbeeh on the strength of his 13length victory on his only
start so far.
The next race on the card is the 5F Kings Stand Stakes. Last year's winner
Dominica is again in the line up. It looks a very difficult puzzle to solve
and again you might need more than one go to get the right one. For what
it's worth Elusive City may be the one. He was pretty good last year, had
two unsuccessful attempts at a mile this year and this stiff 5F may be the
answer.
The next two races are the feature events on the first day.
The St James Palace Stakes is a mile event for thre year old colts and
features the French 2000 gns winner Clodovil and the Irish 2000 gns winner
Indian Haven as well as the short priced favourite Kalaman. Again this is
quite a trappy event and there are a number of possible winners. I'll
probably be on Clodovil but will have an each way saver on our unlucky in
running 2000 gns sixth Monsiour Bond who is sure to be a big price.
Then we have the Queen Anne Stakes over the straight one mile course. I
have only two words for this race HAWK WING. He will not be a betting
proposition but one can always appreciate class.
The last two races are devilishly difficult handicaps. In the first of them
at 4.55 it is always worth following Michael Stoute who has a good record
in these events. Then we have a 5F handicap to finish the day with any
amount of potential winners. Hits Only Money and Move It are two to be
considered.
THE SHEIKH