Exciting Laurel could be something special
Back Laurel @ 8.07/1 in the 14:42 at Newmarket
A complete non-event yesterday unfortunately as both selections were pulled out of Hexham due to the ground. If ever a reminder was needed about the jumps' around the corner that was it - good old fashioned mudders ploughing away.
Hexham yesterday, Newmarket today and the Group 1 Sun Chariot offers up one of the highlights, and also offers the chance to back the potential of Laurel at 7/1.
A 2-2 Kingman filly, she has produced a couple of devastating pieces of acceleration in her two wins and looks a high-class filly in the making. She's "only" rated 98, so she has it find with the likes of Saffron Beach and Homeless Songs, but a filly can make rapid jumps in progress in their first couple of starts and it's telling her trainer John Gosden will hand her the opportunity in what looks a very strong renewal.
Her debut win at Newmarket saw her come from off a steady pace, but against horses with form she breezed away to score by 3L with a finishing speed in the final 3f of 112%.
However, one of the sectionals from Kempton last time (with the track riding slow) saw her run an eye-popping 10.59 second sectional at the penultimate furlong. Her finishing speed there in the final 3f was 116%.
Her sire Kingman is turning into a quality stallion, and remember he had the brilliant turn of pace few possess, it seems Laurel has inherited that from her superb father. Kingman at Newmarket has a 21% win record and a 39% placed strike-rate, and I don't mind the drift at all in the betting out to 7/1. She is certainly an each-way price too.
A bright day is forecast and I am backing her to take care of business against last year's winner Saffron Beach.
Whisper it softly, Saeed should have a winner at Ascot
Back Soft Whisper @ 3.02/1 in the 16:10 at Ascot
A day of real depth and quality to look forward to and Soft Whisper at Ascot's drop in class back to Listed level is enough to persuade me to get involved with the Saeed bin Suroor 4yo in the October Stakes.
She had a lacklustre spell out in Meydan during the winter and she's only had three runs in the UK this term, so I imagine she's one that will be on the place again.
However, of her three outings, one of her victories came at Ascot on good ground with a comfortable win at Class 2 level in a handicap. That looked fair form and historically the race has produced a couple of good ones. She raced near side and made effectively all, churning out some very efficient sectionals to clock a race finishing speed of a near perfect 100%.
She then tried the All-Weather and Chelmsford and once again dominated in front on her first try on that surface. She looked worth a go in a grade higher, but subsequently faltered at Goodwood, but that could have been the track or the fast ground.
Dropping down to 7f looks a good move with the stiff finish and expect to see her make all again under Davy Probert.
Her sire Dubawi has a 17% win record at Ascot over 7f.
September singles winners:
Enduring 9/1 Placed
Noble Dynasty 3/1 Won
Nostrum 2/1 Won
Kaif 15/8 Won
Only Money 2/1 Won
Ah La Francaise 5/2 Won
Exoplanet 5/1 Won
Courage Mon Ami 5/1 Won
City Walk 9/4 Won
Shaara 6/1 Won
Tarhib 5/4 Won
City Vaults 5/2 Won
Sea Stone 9/1 Won
Funny Story 5/2 Won
New Kingdom 8/1 Won
Prakasa 6/4 Won
Well Educated 9/4 Won
Kingori 10/11 Won
Dynamic Kate 10/11 Won
First View 9/2 Won
Mostahdaf 9/2 Won
Leopold's Rock 4/5 Won
High Velocity 9/2 Won
Back On Springs 5/4 Won