Salisbury must be one of the most pleasant racecourses in the UK and Wednesday’s card is the highlight of the season with the Listed Upavon Stakes.
The one I like here is Richard Hannon’s Lustrous who finished strongly to take second to Bracelet in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot. That form entitles her to start favourite here but she has since run poorly in Ireland and was only fifth at Goodwood.
I am prepared to overlook the Irish Oaks form as you sometimes get horses that just don’t travel well but I am a little concerned by her Goodwood defeat. There are a whole host of promising fillies in this race including the unbeaten My Spirit and the rapidly improving Kleo. Both should run well along with Godolphin’s Tearless who already has a comfortable course and distance win to her credit.
Richard Hughes won’t be keeping the video of the ride he gave When Will It End at Goodwood in his archive. Every gap he went for seemed to close immediately and he can be counted an unlucky loser. He is 4lbs better off with the winner Grigolo but that need not necessarily guarantee that he will reverse the form. Mark Johnston’s horse was not stopping in front and it should be close between the pair. However, I am hoping that Sir Michael Stoute’s Darshini can beat them both.
He made the running at Sandown last time out and Ryan Moore looked to have kept a little up his sleeve. The bare form isn’t outstanding but he can lead his rivals a merry dance here.
The same combination should be back in the winner’s enclosure half an hour later with Tercel. The gelding won nicely at Sandown, this time with Moore arriving late on the scene. He did not really have to ask for everything that day and there is plenty of room for improvement. Potentate looks the obvious danger for the Hannon and Hughes team.
Moore can make it three for the day when he partners Luca Cumani’s Petticoat lane in the 4.30. The daughter of High Chaparral ought to have won at Sandown last time out but was blocked in her run up the rail and had to switch to the outside. Although only fourth of five, she was beaten less than two lengths by the winner and can make amends.
Darshini 2.50 Salisbury at 5-4 Paddy Power
Tercel 3.25 Salisbury at 6-4 Paddy Power
Lustrous 3.55 Salisbury at 11-1 Bet Victor Non-runner
Kleo 3.55 Salisbury at 15-2 Sportingbet (each-way)
Petticoat Lane 4.30 Salisbury at 9-4 Paddy Power
