Alshaqee deserves another chance in the Maiden Stakes over five furlongs of Chelmsford polytrack today; it’s a surprisingly competitive race!
Looking at nine rivals it is quite obvious so many trainers aren’t adept at placing two-year-old; at least five shouldn’t be opposing 79-rated Alshaqee, including Shine Likeadiamond, a 13-times loser which we’ve napped a few times only to be nosed and short-headed out of first place.
Coincidentally Alshaqee was beaten a nose by Lydiate on Wolverhampton Tapeta last week, having quickened three lengths clear approaching the final furlong.
Jockey Pat Cosgrave was positive but Alshaqee didn’t replicate his previous time-handicap mark, achieved over the minimum trip around Lingfield, on polytrack, ridden by Tom Queally!
Judged on that effort William Haggas’ charge is nigh on a ‘cert’ and we’re relying on this Equiano colt to make it fifth time lucky and land my nap.
Significantly Tom is back on board!
No reason to speculate about this change because stable-jockey Cosgrave is booked for Haggas rides at Lingfield where Charmy is seriously advantaged by a 5lbs fillies’ allowance in the Maiden Stakes over a mile.
Unfortunately there is a disadvantage, Charmy is again drawn wide!
Oisin Murphy attempted to ‘beat the draw’ at Kempton last month, from thirteen, by making the running with a good, clean, break; it’s difficult to ‘do it at both ends’ however and sure enough, Prince Of Arran, drawn alongside and ridden with tremendous patience by Queally, swooped in the closing stages.
It was a fine exhibition of jockeyship.
Wonder how Oisin will tackle this task on the Andrew Balding-trained Yeats filly, a dead-set stayer. Intriguing, eh?
Oisin seems intent on trying to beat the draw and it may well be the case (again!) on Burmese Whisper in the Selling Stakes over six furlongs; given ThewayItellum comes out similar, albeit with a ‘built-up’ time-figure, we’ll chance James Given’s charge each-way as his horses are running really well. Sign Of The Kodiac ran a cracker on Saturday.
