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A testing day at the races with Farringdon

A REALLY testing day of racing with a bundle of handicaps to try and dissect, but the big race of the day is the Irish 2,000 Guineas at Curragh (4.10) which could result in a British victory for Elarqam.

Mark Johnston’s charge was always thought to need his opening salvo this year in the Newmarket Classic after being slightly behind in his work through the winter.

In fact, connections were delighted with that fourth behind Saxon Warrior and that is by far the best line of form in the race. He certainly has nothing to fear from Gustav Klimt on that form and a bigger danger to the north England raider is probably U S Navy Flag.

The last-named ran a cracking fifth in the French 2,000 Guineas but in my opinion did too much off the front that day. If Ryan Moore can be spot on with the fractionals then I suspect he will be pretty hard to catch coming down the home stretch.

In the Greenlands Stakes (3.35) on the same card, Merchant Navy looks a big player for the Ballydoyle yard.

Plenty of rain is expected at Chester through into this morning and that should befit any number of horses at the historic Cheshire track but Baraweez fits the bill best.

This classy seven furlong handicapper won nicely at the track two outings back and then found the ground way too quick at York last time out back over a mile.

As with many runs at the Knavesmire, that outing is best excused and any further give in the ground would be a plus for this eight year old and he can hand out a lesson to his juniors, Sabador and Sea Fox.

On the same card, Night Of Glory is taken to defy top weight in the mile-and-three-quarters handicap due off at 3.30, while Aasheq can make the most of his light weight in the finale at 5.15.

There are some big prizes up for grabs at York this afternoon, none more so than in the Bronte Fillies Stakes at 3.05. I think we have yet to see the best of Mam’Selle and although she has a bit to find with a couple of these, the William Haggas-trained filly will relish this step up in trip.

The big sprint handicap at 3.40 looks a real conundrum to work out, but if the Yorkshire track gets even a modicum of rain then Boundsy could run a big race at a huge price for Richard Fahey. 

Down at Goodwood, Statuario still remains well-handicapped in the big seven furlong, three-year-old handicap at 2.30.  

Eve Johnson-Houghton’s charge won very readily last time out and any give in the ground shouldn’t prove a problem whatsoever. The likes of Emaraaty and Maybride are also respected in what looks a fierce handicap of its kind.

At Salisbury, Coastal Cyclone signalled a return to form last time out and is worth an interest in the 6.20, while El Borracho could run well under top weight off a mark of 65 in the 7.50. The last named gets the vote over the unexposed lightweight Cross My Mind.

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