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Expensive purchase can prove better than 67 at Windsor
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In These Shoes will benefit from class drop
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Doyle can dominate from the front at Windsor
13:50 Windsor - Back Bjorn Ironside @ 7/24.50 1pt
There wouldn't be many 67-rated horses in the John And Thady Gosden yard, and you'd be hard pushed to find one that cost 300,000gns as a yearling, but the Too Darn Hot colt Bjorn Ironside - 7/24.50 on the Betfair Sportsbook - may well be worth noting on handicap debut.
He has improved race-by-race to date, and his latest showing at Newmarket in the first time hood, having been gelded 69 days before, was eye-catching enough to think he can defy this lowly opening rating in this Class 5 contest.
He went through his race in a strong Newmarket Maiden far more professionally than he had in two starts earlier this year, and further progress looks on the cards today having been tenderly handled.
Connections have found a good opportunity in a race where the bar is set relatively low.
Continuance has had many opportunities to score, including when perfectly placed in a slowly run affair at Bath last time, and the same applies to Phone Tag, Overlooked and Tactical Control, who haven't kicked on from some earlier promise.
The two outsiders of the field, Zinchenko - who outrun huge odds at Kempton last time - and Mad Punter, could have more to offer now handicapping, and complete the shortlist.
Still, it's the promise of Bjorn Ironside that makes the most appeal for a yard that has a 29% strike rate here and has had excellent success when removing the hood off of their runners at the first time of asking.
This market seems a little all over the place this morning but 7/24.50 is fine and no shorter.
15:00 Pontefract - Back In These Shoes @ 6/17.00 1pt
There is plenty to consider in this event, but perhaps the drop into calmer waters for In These Shoes - 6/17.00 on the Betfair Sportsbook - will be enough to see her get off the mark after some very creditable runs against fiercer opposition in recent weeks,
The three-year-old ran admirably behind a rapid improver at Newmarket last time and stuck to the task well, having been in the firing line for a long way in a race that recorded a good time figure.
She still managed to record the fastest final furlong outside of the winner, who recorded an RPR of 111 and was given a whopping 11 lbs rise by the handicapper.
The filly ran into the mid-80s there, but the handicapper dropped her 1lb for that effort, which allows her to drop into this Class 4 0-80 contest.
She has had excuses for a handful of runs this season, and this looks like an excellent opportunity to bounce back to winning ways under Joe Fanning.
Create and Metahorse rate the chief threats in a competitive race, so back her at 4/15.00 or bigger.
15:20 Windsor - Back Azahara Palace @ 5/16.00 1pt
Having run a blinder on the front end and setting a solid gallop at Newmarket in a deep contest last time, the drop in grade is good reason to think Azahara Palace - 5/16.00 on the Betfair Sportsbook - can get back to winning ways.
Her latest effort recorded a very good time for the grade. Now, returning to a track favouring those ridden from the front could easily see her and Cabinet Of Clowns dominate this race should the latter continue with forceful tactics.
The selection arrives on an upward curve, and Hollie Doyle - a master on the pace - in the saddle means she makes plenty of appeal from a good draw in stall two. When running on again at the finish, she left the impression that she had more to offer at Newmarket.
Dream Of Mischief was poor for us at Salisbury on her penultimate start, but she put that behind her at Lingfield, and she must be ahead of the handicapper given how she won here in July when having to circle the field. Still, her racing style means she will be giving the first run to the selection, and that's dangerous.
Back her at 4/15.00 or bigger.
Recommended bets
Back Bjorn Ironside to win the 13:50 at Windsor @ 7/24.50 1pt
Back In These Shoes to win the 15:00 at Pontefract @ 6/17.00 1pt
Back Azahar Palace to win the 15:20 at Windsor @ 5/16.00 1pt
DARYL'S P/L
Since Jan 1st 2023 - Updated Monthly - Next update November 1st
Advised Stakes = +69.5pts ROI 6.75%
BSP = +76.4pts ROI +7.4%
Antepost P/L since Jan 1st 2023
Advised Stakes = +34.6pts