TRUE SPIRIT
Drinks can be on Balding’s stayer in the Queen’s Prize
GIVE yourself a nice tonic by backing SPIRIT MIXER (3.15) in the Virgin Bet Queen’s Prize at Kempton.
He ran top-class Trueshan close in the Northumberland Plate on Newcastle’s all-weather track a couple of years ago.
Andrew Balding’s stayer has clearly had issues as he’s only been seen three times since.
There was enough promise in last month’s return to action from 11 months off the track to suggest those problems might be behind him.
He was held up in last place in the early stages in that Lingfield race. That gave him little chance but he stayed on nicely and it should have set him up for today’s prize.
With former champion jockey Oisin Murphy (above) taking over in the saddle, it’s worth having 1pt each-way at 9-1. Most bookies are paying out on four places with Sky Bet stretching to five.
(2.40) is another horse who hasn’t had the smoothest of careers.
He ran only twice last season and hasn’t been seen since May when he finished well beaten in a Goodwood conditions race.
As a two-year-old he was considered good enough to run in the Doncaster Group 1
CAPTAIN WIERZBA
contest won by subsequent Derby hero Auguste Rodin.
He reared up in the stalls in that race and he also got upset in the gates ahead of his comeback run last season.
The ability is certainly there, he just needs to put it all together. He’s just the type to have improved a big chunk for being gelded over the winter. Have 1pt each-way at 18-1.
Keep a close eye on WATCHYA (4.55) in the final race at Kempton.
He’s at his best when returning from a break and he’s got a good record on the allweather.
Although he was soundly beaten on his last two starts back in November – both over today’s course and distance – I’m sure he is well-enough handicapped.
He pulled too hard in a slowly run race on the first occasion.
A week later, which was a quick enough turnaround for George Baker’s sprinter, he was ridden more prominently but that was not a help as they went a quick pace.
That was a competitive contest and this race should set up better. Have 2pts each-way 25-1. Plenty of bookies are paying out on four places.