Future Champions Day

As the title of this entry says today is future champions day at Newmarket as headquarters hosts the Middle Park and Dewhurst Stakes for 2yos. Dawn Approach is a very short priced for the latter and should win whilst the former looks quite competitive. I like Moohaajim in that race. He was beaten by Reckless Abandon in the Prix Morny but after being drawn nearest the inside rail his jockey met trouble in running and the horse eventually finished two lengths behind the winner but was widest of all as they crossed the line. Moohaajim then went on to win the Mill Reef impressively at Newbury. It should be close between them today but the market reflects that. No bet.

The big betting race of the day is the Cesarewitch and I've had a little each way on Motivado at 16/1. I was at Haydock last year when he won a minor event there ultra impressively and he was favourite for the Ebor in August after doing a similar demolition job in a handicap at Glorious Goodwood. I backed him at York where he finished a staying on 4th. I really think this step up in trip will suit him and this is a good each way race because most bookmakers pay five places and you have to be drawn relatively lowly to have a chance. Sir Mark's animal is in stall 13 which is ok. It's a competitive race but my selection looks slightly overpriced.

It seems strange that on a racing day entitled future champions day Channel 4 are showing races from York and ignoring the jumping at Chepstow. The action at the Knavesmire is very hum drum but Fingal Bay runs in a novice chase at the Welsh track and I'm excited about seeing him jump a fence. I'm confident this horse will be a future champion be it as a novice or a future Gold Cup horse. Along with Flemenstar he is the cornerstone of my Cheltenham Festival hopes next spring. As a novice hurdler he was the only horse to beat Simonsig last year in a race at Sandown in December. The form of that race worked out perfectly and I did back Fingal Bay for the Baring Bingham at the Festival but unfortunately he got injured in February. He ran at Aintree but got caught near the finish, displaying a certain rustiness to my mind given that he hadn't run in a while. I'm hoping for a good round of juping today and he does look a fine chaser in the making.

Cesarewitch:
Motivado £25ew @ 16/1 (4th)

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Cheltenham Festival:
Arkle:
Trifolium £10w @ 27/1

Champion Hurdle:
Spirit Son £35w @ 13/1

RSA Chase:
Fingal Bay £50w @ 12/1

Gold Cup:
Flemenstar £40w @ 12/1