There is plenty of value in the Coral Champion Stakes SP market according to Romford form student Gary Rickhuss. The man who backed Shotgun Bullet to win the Coronation Cup in a double with Derby winner Dorotas Wildcat, has avoided the short priced runners and reckons their could be some big priced fancies through to next week’s semi finals.
Gary’s thoughts:
VINEGARHILL RUBY 28/1, appears to have been laid out for this, having only 6 races in 2018 before 29 June. She has since had 7 straight spins over C&D, winning 3, including the last 2 (35.40 most recent time). Capable of a sprinter’s start, she hasn’t quite blasted away like she can in any of the 7 races. Clocked a blistering 34.72 in November when in peak form. She finds herself in a hot heat with Roswell Romanov and Clash, plus a promising youngster that clocked a fine 35.18 in a maiden here earlier this month in WESTWAY TURK 20/1.
DROOPYS ALEX 33/1, another who made his course debut only last week and also won (35.67). Did it the hard way, coming from 5th to lead on the run-in. His winning time can probably be upgraded a fair bit on that basis, but he finds himself in a heat with the top two in the ante post market. His very best time at home track Hove’s 515m is comparable with Clash and Ower Boy Bullet but he seems to lack quite the same early gears of that pair.
THOR TAGG 40/1, is lightly raced after picking up a serious injury in just his 4th UK start last Sept. His three comeback runs haven’t yielded a win but he’s finished 2nd twice and 3rd in those efforts in decent co mpany and is a strong runner who could find himself running on into the qualifying spots.
INDIAN BEAUTY 50/1, another who ran at Romford for the first time last week, finishing 2nd behind Ower Boy Bullet. Has recent winning form over 843m at Yarmouth so won’t be found wanting for stamina. Possesses a rapid break for a stayer but over this distance will then probably struggle for middle pace against the classy types before staying on again, as she did last week to clock 35.57, which included being baulked at the 4th bend when running on nicely at the time. Another who could be tough to eliminate.
CHOPCHOP GEMINI 80/1, a young locally-trained runner who has been improving with every run. Still yet to win an open race but came very close last week, running Droopys Judge to a 1/2 length in 35.52 at a generous 8/1. Her trapping has been improving with experience and she could outrun her odds without being quite good enough. One to keep an eye on for the future and surely a 575m maiden winner in waiting.
ROMEO MANDATE 50/1, runner up behind Shotgun Bullet in the Coronation Cup final. Clocked 34.95 – identical to Shotgun Bullet – in the semi finals of that event. Hasn’t been in the groove of late but has landed in probably the weakest-looking heat on paper containing 3 local top graders and with a nice draw in 1 should be able to secure a semi final place at worst.
