Monday racing tips: Andy Ayres picks out his best bet for today’s racing while updating us on all the latest news from the tracks this week
Don't miss out on all the latest talk from the tracks as Andy Ayres discusses all the action
FROM Samara to Sandown, Saturday afternoon was dominated by lions.
Over in Russia England’s three-lions grabbed a World Cup semi-final spot, while Roaring Lion survived a steward’s enquiry to win a dramatic Coral-Eclipse.
No-one would claim this was a vintage renewal of the Eclipse, but it did represent a coming of age for
jockey Oisin Murphy, who was recording his first Group 1 success on home soil.
Murphy wasn’t popular with his weighing room colleagues a couple of seasons ago. Rumour had it they
saw him as brash, arrogant and lacking respect.
In short, he was a young man in too much of a hurry.
He’s ditched the attitude, retained the daring and now looks the best of our young pilots.
POCKET ROCKET Judicial set for date in Nunthorpe after another bold showing at the weekend
The Sandown bookies were bemoaning a lack of business – delayed trains and the football were
responsible for a drop in trade – and had their chins on the floor after well-backed Tigre Du Terre buried them in the valuable 1m handicap.
There was an avalanche of late support for this lightly raced three-year-old (8-1 to 9-2) and he produced
a personal best to win decisively.
Tiger Du Terre was clearly `expected’ by the Hannon camp and Glorious Goodwood’s Golden Mile is
next on the agenda. In this form he’ll run a massive race.
Another who could be heading to the Sussex Downs is Archie Watson’s Royal Ascot hero SOLDIER’S
CALL.
Watson reports the speedy colt in good nick and ready for a crack at the Molecomb Stakes. If the ground
stays quick he’ll be involved at the business end.
The trainer also had news of his other high profile juvenile, NATE THE GREAT, who was last seen when touched off in the Chesham Stakes at the Royal Meeting.
Connections were thrilled with that effort and are keen to take him back to Ascot for a Listed event on
July 28. Whatever beats this tough colt will know it’s been in a scrap.
There’s a whisper that young Mr Watson is particularly sweet on another of his juveniles, namely Qatar
Racing’s FEDERAL LAW.
LATEST IN HORSE RACING
It was desperately sad to hear news of John Dunlop’s passing.
He was remembered fondly by former assistant David Menuisier, who took time out on Saturday to say:
“I was with him for six years and learned so much in that time.
“He was a tremendous trainer and, above all else, taught me the value of patience.
“He would wait for his horses to come right and give them all the time they needed.
“I owe him a great deal.”
And what a trainer J L Dunlop was. There were 3,277 winners in this country, a trainer’s title in 1995 and
a hatful of Classics.
Let’s not forget the handicap plots either. He virtually patented the `three quiet runs and then bet like
men’ approach - and more power to his elbow for that!
Monday Fancy
GLORIOUS LOVER (6.10 Windsor) should prove a smart colt in time and Ed Walker has his string in fine fettle.
Debut form looks solid and there should be more to come.
Ed Walker has clicked into another gear since moving from Newmarket to Upper Lambourn and must be
hopeful of a big run from GLORIOUS LOVER in the 6.10 at Windsor tonight.
He moved like a dream on his way to post at Newbury last month and wasn’t too shabby on the way
back either, running home an eye-catching third.
That form has worked out incredibly well – five of the first eight have run since, all of them winning – and
Glorious Lover looks a colt with a bright future.