The Gigaset International Stakes, run
over 7 furlongs at Ascot, has produced no winning favourite in the
last ten years and winners at 40/1, 33/1 (twice), 25/1, 18/1, 16/1
and 14/1 in the same period, so definitely looks a race in which we
have a chance of extending our recent run of good fortune.
Notably, five of the first six
finishers in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket a fortnight ago reoppose
but, with the exception of Heaven’s Guest (14/1), none of them have
much in the way of course form, so it may be judicious to look
elsewhere for this week’s selections.
The first one that takes our eye this
week is the complete ‘rag’ Sir Robert Cheval (40/1). Marco
Botti’s 4-year-old has yet to win on turf, but has run creditably
on all three starts this season and doesn’t look impossibly
handicapped on his best form. Indeed, the Green Desert gelding is 7lb
better off for 2¾ lengths with Zarwaan (14/1) on their running at
Newcastle four weeks ago but is, mystifyingly, available at nearly
three times the price. Apprentice Marc Monaghan takes off a useful
3lb and the partnership is well drawn in stall 26, if recent results
in the race are anything to go by.
Another ‘rag’, Nakuti (40/1)
appeared to put up something approaching a career-best effort when
winning the Listed Pipalong Stakes, over a mile, at Pontefract
earlier this month and looks fairly treated under a 3lb penalty. The
fourth at Pontefract, Rekdhat, was only just touched off in a 0-100
fillies’ handicap last Saturday, off a mark of 91, so there is
reason to believe that Nakuti, who had 6¼ lengths in hand, has been
underestimated by the bookmakers. Her three career wins have come on
good or softer going but, with persistent, heavy rain forecast for
Friday afternoon, she could well be in her element.
Veteran Hawkeyethenoo (22/1)
was, unsurprisingly, taken off his feet over 5 furlongs at
Musselburgh when last seen six weeks ago, but his previous third of
twenty-six, beaten 2¾ lengths, behind Speculative Bid over course
and distance in May suggested that he may have a major handicap
victory left in him. Jim Goldie’s 9-year-old is 8lb better off with
the winner this time (and 8lb lower in the weights than when winning
the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood three seasons ago), so you ignore the
old boy at your peril!
So, in summary, this week’s
selections are, in no particular order, Sir Robert Cheval
(40/1 with Bet365 and William Hill), Nakuti (40/1 with William
Hill) and Hawkeyethenoo (22/1 with Stan James). Good luck!
