Arctic Feeling and Clem Fandango among best bets for Ayr on Friday
Published:
David Metcalf | September 16, 2016
Clem Fandango can waltz to success in Harry Rosebery Stakes
Clem Fandango has some solid form to her name, so looks a worthy favourite to get back to winning ways in the 5f Listed Harry Rosebery Stakes on today’s card at Ayr (15:50).
The Keith Dalgliesh trained filly came good at the second time of asking when easily landing a maiden at Catterick by 4 1/2 lengths.
Clem Fandango then ran well when beaten just a neck in a class 2 contest at Beverley, before taking her form to a new level when third of 17 to Lady Aurelia in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Although beaten 9 1/2 lengths, Lady Aurelia looked something out of the ordinary and put in one of the best two-year-old performances of recent times.
Clem Fandango backed that up with a solid third of 23 to Mrs Danvers in the valuable Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury, before finding 6f too far when sixth in the Group 2 Lower Stakes at York’s Ebor Festival last time out.
The drop back to the minimum trip is sure to suit, and this is by far the easiest task Clem Fandango has faced for some time.
Highwayman looks fine and Dandy in nursery
In the 6f nursery (14:40), Dandy Highwayman looks to have plenty going for him and represents decent each-way value.
The colt shaped with plenty of promise when runner-up on his debut, before showing the benefit of that experience to make all and score readily by a length at Beverley.
Dandy Highwayman then looked an unlucky loser on his handicap bow at Thirsk when beaten just 3/4 of a length into third to Major Jumbo.
After being slowly away, the two-year-old showed plenty of pace to make up the lost ground, and held every chance inside the final furlong until getting a bump which resulted in jockey Jason Butterfield losing his whip at a vital stage.
It was a fine effort, given how the race panned out, and the runner-up Wick Powell has since gone on to finish a cracking second of 30 to Orewa in a valuable class 1 sales race at The Curragh.
That is strong form in the contest of this class 2 contest and makes Dandy Highwayman look nicely treated off a mark of 78.
Arctic Feeling can cash-in on class drop
Arctic Feeling has become dangerously well-treated and can take advantage of a drop in class to land the 5f handicap (15:05).
Richard Fahey’s gelding is a course and distance winner that has also ran well to make the frame on two occasions from four start over it.
The eight-year-old looked as good as ever on his seasonal reappearance when winning at Beverley off a mark of 92, and has also shaped far better than his form figures suggests in some competitive class 2 contests of late.
They include when a close up sixth of 19 to the subsequent Listed scorer Alpha Delphini at York four starts back when attempting to give the winner 9lb.
That is very strong form in relation to this class 4 contest, and Arctic Feeling has a 27 per cent strike rate in the grade, having won three times and been placed on five occasions from 11 starts.
Arctic Feeling is also now able to race off a reduced mark of just 87, which is 5lb lower than when last victorious, and has the services in the saddle of Adam McNamara, who takes off another 5lb with his claim.
Ayr tips for September 16th
13.30: Golden Apollo
14.00: Iron Islands
14.30: Dandy Highwayman (E/W)
15.05: Arctic Feeling (NB)
15.40: Clem Fandango (NAP)
16.15: Khelman (E/W)
16.50: Impulsive American
17.20: Maulesden May
Related
You’ll find horse racing betting tips all year round on Coral news’ dedicated page.
