Air Force Blue is among seventeen ‘decs’ for the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, Saturday, which include stable-companions, Shogun and Bravery, no hopers!
Presumably they will line up for pacemaking duties but this ‘firm’ has constantly fallen between two stools by attempting such tactics and they could well confuse Ryan Moore aboard the odds-on favourite, and compromise his obvious chance.
According to O’Brien, in a recent stable tour, ‘Air Force Blue was the best two-year-old we’ve had here’ but hasn’t Aidan made similar claims before about Giants Causeway, Camelot, Gleneagles, etc?
Ex-dual champion jockey, Joseph, mentioned earlier this week that an extra furlong and fitness first time out could be a concern; that’s somewhat contrasting to what his father implied.
As mentioned I’m convinced Air Force Blue hasn’t achieved a time-handicap mark which justifies his current price, based on classification of what is usually required for this wonderful classic; as for pacemaking one recalls a similar situation with Frankel!
No hoper, Rerouted, in the second colours of Khaled Abdulla, was declared and jockeys looked toward the second string, intending to track him; Tom Queally jumped Frankel out smartly and the favourite was at least six lengths clear throughout!
Do you think O’Brien is mindful of that staggering performance?
We shall see, a fascinating race awaits, in the meantime Godolphin-owned, Charlie Appleby-trained, Pergamino, ticks enough boxes under William Buick for an ‘aged’ Maiden Stakes over a mile of Chelmsford polytrack tonight; what beats him will win!
We might get a price because Frankie Dettori partners once-raced Symbolic, trained by John Gosden; this Shamardal colt needs to imrpove considerably and might but I’ll take a chance.
James Fanshawe’s apprentice George Wood is good value for his full 7lbs claim and it could weigh heavily against eight rivals when he climbs aboard King Of Naples in a three-year-old Maiden Stakes over seven furlongs of ‘good to soft’ Redcar; opportunistic placing.
At Lingfield, on polytrack William Muir-trained Cautious Optimism looks a snip for the ten-runner three-year-old handicap; we’ve waited a long time for this one.
Selections
11.05 King Of Naples
11.20 Cautious Optimism
2.30 Pergamino (nap).