Sunday's Seven-Race Spectacular at Beverley
Well now, if you're looking for a proper Sunday afternoon's entertainment, Beverley has served up an absolute cracker of a card. Seven races including three Class 2 finals that'll have the bookies sweating more than a novice hurdler on debut. The going is sitting at Good to Soft, Good in places for the chasers, which is music to my ears - we all know how the northern tracks can throw up surprises when there's a bit of give underfoot.
The Beverley racecard is headlined by those three Go North series finals, each worth £40,000 to the winner. That's serious prize money for a Sunday afternoon, and you can bet your bottom euro that the connections will be throwing everything at it. The ground conditions are absolutely crucial today - that Good to Soft description is doing nobody any favours in terms of clarity, but from what I'm hearing, there's plenty of juice in the surface.
The Feature Attractions: Three Class 2 Finals
Let's cut straight to the meat and potatoes here - those three Class 2 contests are where the real action lies. The One Man Series Final over 1m 7f at 15:17 kicks things off, followed by the Red Rum Series Final at 15:52 (a proper staying test at 3m 110y), and the Monet's Garden Series Final at 16:27 over 2m 3f.
In the One Man Series, Coup de Coeur (rated 123) stands out like a sore thumb at the head of the weights. Micky Hammond's eight-year-old is both a course and distance winner, and on this going, he'll be lapping it up. Conor O'Farrell knows this track like the back of his hand, and that combination could prove lethal.
But don't be writing off Great Pepper just yet. James Moffatt's charge might be giving weight away, but Charlotte Jones has been riding with serious confidence lately, and at 118, this fellow's got plenty in hand if the mood takes him.
The Marathon Test: Red Rum Series Final
Now we're talking my language - three miles and change is where the wheat gets separated from the chaff. Hudson de Grugy tops the weights at 127, and rightly so. This nine-year-old has been there, done that, and bought the t-shirt when it comes to these staying chases. Both course and distance winner, and with Jonathan England in the plate, he's the one they'll all have to beat.
However, I've got my eye on Chasingouttheblues for Mark Walford. This seven-year-old is a distance winner and at 122, he's getting a handy 5lb from the topweight. Jamie Hamilton knows how to get a tune out of a stayer, and on this ground, this lad could be the value play of the day.
Fierce Warrior brings the Nicky Henderson magic to Yorkshire, and you'd be a fool to dismiss anything from Seven Barrows. Nico de Boinville doesn't make the trip north for the craic - he's here to do business.
Key Runners to Follow
Looking across the card, there are several horses that catch the eye for different reasons. In the opening novices' hurdle, Art Dancer is the only runner with a rating (77), and Ross Chapman has been in flying form lately. Chris Grant's five-year-old should have too much class for this field.
The handicap hurdle at 14:15 looks a proper puzzle, but Two Brothers for the Easterby team catches my attention. This eight-year-old is a course winner, and at the top of his game, he's a different class to most of these. Patrick Wadge knows the horse inside out.
Danny McMenamin is having a stellar day in the saddle with some serious mounts, and his ride on Hello Judge in the Monet's Garden Final could be the pick of his book. This ten-year-old is both course and distance winner, and at 122, he's proven at this level.
Going Conditions: The Great Leveller
That Good to Soft description is doing half the work for us today. The proven mudlarks will come to the fore, while the good ground specialists might find themselves struggling. William Maggs on Caspada in the opener will be hoping the ground doesn't deteriorate further, while Nathan Moscrop aboard several runners will be relishing the conditions.
The course and distance winners marked with [C,D] are absolutely crucial today. When there's give in the ground and the track's playing tricks, local knowledge and proven form at the venue becomes worth its weight in gold. Ben Smith has a couple of interesting rides, and his mount Dance Thief in the One Man Series could outrun his odds.
Tom's Sunday Selections
Right, let's get down to brass tacks. My banker of the day is Hudson de Grugy in the Red Rum Series Final. Course and distance winner, proven at this level, and the ground will suit him down to the ground. He's short enough in the market, but sometimes you've got to pay for class.
For a bit of value, I'm sweet on Chasingouttheblues in the same race as an each-way play. The seven-year-old has been knocking on the door in better company, and this drop in class could be just what the doctor ordered.
In the Monet's Garden Final, Hello Judge represents serious value. Course and distance winner, proven mudlark, and Danny McMenamin's booking suggests connections are confident. At 122, he's handicapped to win this.
And for the early races, Art Dancer should have too much class in the novices' hurdle, while Two Brothers could provide the goods in the 14:15 handicap hurdle if the Easterby magic is working.
It's shaping up to be a cracking afternoon's sport at Beverley. The ground will play its part, the class horses should shine, and with a bit of luck, we'll all be heading home with heavier pockets. Sláinte!
