The Moon is Up

Expresso Star delivered in the Lincoln and will probably be raised back up in distance next time rather than take in the Newbury Spring Cup on his way to Listed racing.

Flipando ran a superb race in third but may similarly suffer at the hands of the handicapper. He is less likely to overcome the extra future burden than Expresso Star. My other each way hope, Titan Triumph, lost his race as soon as he came out of the stalls and stayed on the stands side. He prefers cover and never got that. Back on the dreaded All Weather, he should prove his poor turf run completely wrong.

The (4) and (5) dutch races failed on Saturday. The UK races gave a poor return (two wins from six races) and Nad Alsheba gave only one win from three. But elsewhere the ratings did reasonably well producing a couple of good priced 2nd top winners, Greylami 12/1 and Monfils Monfils 12/1. But I was amazed that a close 3rd top rated horse, Stage Acclaim, was allowed to start at 20/1. I watched the final stages of the race and expected a 5/1 to 6/1 SP. To say I was shocked at his winning price is an understatement. On my figures, he was the obvious each way bet against the two favourites. Even the bookies get it wrong sometimes.

Sunday is not an overly exciting betting day except for a handful of dutches, but I will be interested in the running of Palace Moon with a view to this season's major handicaps. His siblings include Sakhee's Secret, Palace Affair and King's Caprice. He has more stamina on his sire's side so it will be interesting to see if he shows promise of racing up to a mile - though the furthest distance his ten siblings have won over is 7f. Maybe the Victoria Cup is on his agenda?

Have a lazy Sunday afternoon.