Leg #1 - 15:25, Deauville: Diamond Necklace to Win @ 2/71.29
After a frustrating Sunday Acca last week - where we landed three winners after the first leg went down - I'm hoping to start more positively!
The unbeaten Diamond Necklace should prove hard to beat if running anywhere close to her best in what appears to be a modest edition of the Group 1 Prix Jean et Louis Romanet over 1m2f. The Aidan O'Brien-trained three-year-old has continued to absolutely thrive this term, winning three Group One prizes, including a facile success in the G1 Nassau Stakes at Goodwood last time. I expect her to have far too much class here, using this contest as a stepping stone towards a huge tilt at the Group 1 Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe in October.
Leg #2 - 15:30 Naas: Zoar to Win @ 4/61.67
I'm always partial to an eyecatching debut run, especially when the form of the race has been significantly boosted. Step forward Zoar, who displayed excellent cruising speed when a fine second at this venue. The £45,000 breeze-up purchase won his race on the far side of the track, but was only just beaten by subsequent Group Two winner, Man's Best Friend. Any natural improvement ought to see him score here.
Leg #3 - 15:38, Worcester: Down To Business to Finish Top 3 @ 2/91.22
Down To Business sounds like a horse who is an honest type, and that has been proven in three nice hurdle starts so far. His second jumps outing caught my attention when fourth at Ascot in January. He travelled well throughout that day, and although a shade keen, put in a fair performance. The winner went on to finish second in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival to give some substance to the form. A wind operation may help him settle better this time around, and I believe he's been found a suitable race for his powerful trainer, who arrives in good form.
Leg #4 - 17:08, Worcester: Diamond White to Finish Top 3 @ 8/111.73
I've moved to the 'lucky last' at Worcester for my final selection. Diamond White has been found a modest hurdle race to start life in handicap company. The daughter of Berkshire finished a fine second at this track on her penultimate run, with the third scoring next time. A subsequent runner-up spot enhanced her form again, while the horse directly behind her at Newton Abbot won this month. An opening mark of 100 appears more than fair, and I'll be disappointed if she doesn't finish in the first three.
Back Andy Robson's 4-leg 'Win and To Place' Acca