Monday, July 21, 2008

Beverley, Windsor and Ballinrobe (Ireland) this evening

Windsor stages its usual Monday evening fixture, where Kerrin McEvoy could be the jockey to follow. He rides Godolphin´s Sibi Saba, a 260,000 guineas breeze-up purchase, in the 10 furlongs maiden at 19.20 CET and the well-bred Zalloof (the dam was a Group One winner) for the same connections in the maiden for 2yo fillies an hour later, and both of these can win on their racecourse debuts. McEvoy also has a chance of taking the 6 furlongs handicap for 3yo´s on Paul Cole´s Harlech Castle, who is now being tried over a shorter distance. Lodi (Jon Akehurst/ Ian Mongan), an easy CD winner a month ago fromDunnó (Clive Cpox/ Philip Robinson) and now only 3 lbs worse off, looks the big danger. There is also evening racing at Beverley, where Handsome Falcon (Richard Fahey/ Freddie Tylicki) can repeat his 2007 victory in the 7 1/2 furlongs handicap at 20.30. The 5 furlongs handicap at 21.00 looks very open. Hotham (Neil Wilson/ Ashley Hamblett) ran well at Pontefract on Friday and despite the no. 1 draw, usually a big problem here, could well be involved, while course specialists Malapropism (Mick Channon/ Tony Culhane) and Rasaman (Kevin Ryan/ Joe Fanning) are others to consider. There is also a moixed meeting at Ballinrobe in Ireland with 4 flat races, 2 steeplechases and a bumper. Ruby Walsh could well win both chases with Willie Mullins´ much-improved 10yo Clear Gold at 20.40 and Eamonn Sheehy´s Holly Tree half an hour later.