Select Stakes Preview: Cleenas Lady seeks hat-trick win

Sky Previews / Darrell Williams / 18 August 2008 / Leave a Comment

The winner for the last two years has a chance of making it number three but Barnfield On Air is the rightful favourite in a strong field, says Darrell Williams.

The Select Stakes is invariably the best one-off race of the year and this year's Invitation - the feature of an eight race card from Nottingham on Sky Sports - is undoubtedly one of the best renewals for many years.

You could conceivably argue a case for all six runners, with Cleenas Lady the winner for the past two years, and seeking an unprecedented third victory certainly not without a chance. Her draw in trap one has delighted her shrewd connections, and last week's trial suggests the fairytale result - she retires after the race - is not an impossible dream. At the prices, I'm certainly having a saver on her and not just for sentimental reasons!

Charlie Lister runs two, and has no quibbles about the draw with Ninja Jamie berthed inside Farloe Reason sure to suit both runners. But both haven't raced for some time, and while Lister is the master of getting a dog right for the big occasion, I'd rather have something with recent form given the ultra competitive nature of the race, although of his pair Farloe Reason makes more appeal given his unbeaten record at the circuit, which includes a track record over 480m.

Sussex Stakes winner Droopys Carvalho can improve for his first trial at the track last week, but Bubbly Totti looks more favourably drawn on his inside. However I think the market might just have it right in making Barnfield On Air favourite. After looking much more like his old self with three recent wins at Hove, Sam Poots' dog confirmed his well being with a decent spin over the big race trip last week and to this observer looks back to his best form. He was, of course, just denied by Cleenas Lady in a tremendous shootout for last year's race, and if I'm right it might just be those two fighting out the finish again.

Flying Winner is impossible to oppose as she bids for a ten-timer in the supporting Stayers Stakes (9.25), but for those looking for a forecast or a bet without the favourite Head Iton Paddy appears over-priced. Chris Allsopp's dog has been out of the first two only four times in 21 races this season, and appears to be peaking after breaking the 660m clock at Perry Barr last month. Vatican Fyne, who has reached four major finals this year, also makes some appeal, although her trial last week was only moderate.

Course specialist and Peterborough Cesarewitch winner Cuil Magic looks a class above his rivals in a moderate 680m final (8.0) and should confirm heat form with Feora Marie.

Vigorous Pat, by virtue of his seven previous wins at the track including the Guineas in the spring, is just preferred to Sunderland Oaks winner Lochbo Beg in the Guys and Dolls final (8.15), although a reverse forecast on the pair might also be worth a play.
Veteran Sir Alf remains in fantastic form and is worth staying with in the Sky opener at 7.40, while Perrys Tango is a solid choice for win number twenty-seven in the Sprint final (8.35).