Wunders looks a Dream bet in Super Sprint
The James Given-trained filly has won her last two starts and was particularly impressive when trouncing Frascati by seven lengths at Nottingham on her most recent outing.
That was back in May and she missed an intended engagement in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot due to a bout of coughing but her trainer now reports Wunders Dream in top form and she can make the most of the 9lb she receives from the likely favourite Hurricane Alan to land today’s £78,300 first prize.
Of her low draw Given’s said: ‘‘When I first found that Wunders was drawn seven, I was disappointed but then I saw that Hurricane Alan was drawn one and it wasn’t quite so bad. I think he’s got the worst draw.
‘‘It depends where the pace is. Wunders has got a reasonable enough draw and she’s not far away from Hurricane Alan. We’ll see what we can do.’’
Earlier on the card Foreign Affairs can get the better of some tough rivals to take the Cantor Sport - Spread Free Steventon Stakes. Sir Mark Prescott’s four-year-old landed a gamble in last year’s John Smith’s Cup at York before returning to the Knavesmire a month later to finish a good second to Mediterranean in the Tote Ebor.
The Hernando colt rounded last term off with a creditable effort in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe when he raced prominently until being outclassed in the straight. He has returned in good form having beaten Johannian by a comfortable two and a half lengths on his reappearance at Doncaster at the end of last month.
Foreign Affairs is open to further improvement but he will not have matters all his own way with Godolphin’s classy performer Tobougg and the smart but enigmatic Aramram, who has unseated his rider on two of his last three starts, in opposition.
Vision Of Night can gain a well-deserved first success of the season in the Ruinart Champagne Stakes.
John Dunlop’s smart sprinter has finished runner-up in two of his three starts this time and ran particularly well to chase home the speedy Kyllachy at Sandown on his reappearance. A reproduction of that level of form can see Vision Of Light in the winner’s circle today.
Ed Dunlop’s horses are just beginning to fire and the Newmarket trainer can strike with Grizedale Lion Sports Mixture Trophy at Newmarket.
The chestnut gelding put up a personal best last time to finish a short-head third behind the dead-heaters Mine and Capricho (disqualified for carrying the incorrect weight) in the seven-furlong Bunbury Cup at the July Meeting. Grizedale finished strongly that day and the step up to a mile today looks ideal for this progressive individual. He is made the nap selection.
There is some good jump racing on offer at Market Rasen and the feature £65,000 Tote Scoop6 Summer Plate over two and a half miles can go to bottom weight Billy Nomaite from the in-form Sue Smith stable.
Billy Nomaite beat Ei Ei by three lengths over course and distance last time and appears to be on the upgrade. He should go well again today.
