Smart upbeat over Bond’s Sprint chances
Officials at the Merseyside venue do not expect the ground to be riding faster than soft for Saturday’s Group One showpiece, conditions the Thirsk trainer feels will be ideal for his stable star.
“Fergal Lynch will ride him again. He’s in great form and I’m hoping it doesn’t dry up. He’s 16-1 but if the ground comes on his side I think he has got a good chance,” he said.
“He didn’t run his race in France (when ninth in the Prix Maurice de Gheest), but he was there at the furlong pole.”
Monsieur Bond, impressive winner of the Duke of York Stakes earlier in the season, finished a neck behind leading Sprint Cup hope and Maurice de Gheest winner Somnus when sixth in the July Cup at Newmarket.
“He’s got a hell of a chance on his Newmarket form. He’ll make them go,” Smart added.
Orientor has been backed to the same price from 14s with William Hill, although Kieren Fallon will not be renewing his association with the Jim Goldie-trained sprinter.
The six-year-old could be counted as unfortunate not to have finished better than a close-up fifth behind Bahamian Pirate in the Nunthorpe Stakes on his latest run
“I was supposed to ride Orientor but I’ve been switched now to Kempton,” said the champion jockey.
“It’s a bit disappointing because he was unlucky in running at York and I think he should have won the Nunthorpe. He’ll definitely run a big race at Haydock.”
Fallon also issued an upbeat report on one-time Classic hope Red Bloom as she bids to break her duck for the season at York today.
The Michael Stoute-trained filly went into winter quarters as favourite for the 1000 Guineas but could finish only fourth to Attraction, before occupying third spot behind the same horse in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The champion said: “She’s come back to herself and worked well the other morning. I’m happy with the way she’s been going.
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Cashmans bet: 9/4 One Cool Cat, 5/1 Somnus, 7/1 Whipper, 7/1 Frizzante, 12/1 Ashdown Express, Tante Rose, Balmont, 14/1 Airwave.
Ladbrokes: 11-4 One Cool Cat, 7-2 Somnus, 7-1 Frizzante, 10-1 Monsieur Bond, Orientor, Tante Rose, 11-1 Patavellian, 16-1 Ashdown Express, Airwave, Bahamian Pirate, Ratio, The Trader, 20-1 Royal Millennium, 25-1 Continent, Three Valleys, Welsh Emperor, 33-1 Cartography.
