Jamie Clark was Sports Editor of Coral bookmakers between 2014 and 2017 during their merger with Labrokes and a key period for the British betting industry. Working as a bookie’s runner on the point to point circuit in the Midlands and at Market Rasen Racecourse where his late godfather had a trackside pitch growing up, he has had ties to horse racing all of his life. A regular visitor to Cheltenham during the National Hunt season and York over the summer, he has been involved in Horsebetting.com since its inception. Jamie now brings you his take on major news stories from the racing world and those all-important betting tips.
Munster Oaks winner could improve again
Snow showed a likeable attitude when winning at Cork last time out, so looks a value bet for the Irish Oaks at The Curragh on Saturday (19:15).
One of four trained by Aidan O’Brien in this 1m 4f Classic contest for three-year-old fillies, the Ballydoyle maestro seeks a sixth winner of this.
This daughter of Galileo has been progressive this season. Snow broke her maiden tag on reappearance in a 1m 2f maiden at this venue.
She only needed riding with hands and heels to account for stable companion Salsa by three-quarters of a length. Snow then shaped as though ready to step up to this trip when runner-up to One Voice in a Group 3 at Leopardstown.
The way that she kept on well without matching the winner to go down by half-a-length bodes well. Snow confirmed that impression when landing the Munster Oaks last time out.
After chasing the leading pair in third, she took things up after the two furlong marker. As Snow found plenty for pressure and rallied to win going away, she is well worth a crack at Group 1 level.
The Irish Oaks demands more of her, but she looks a typical product of her sire. Three-year-olds by Galileo seem to improve on their juvenile form and with racing, so it would be no surprise to see Snow involved in the finish.
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Cayenne Pepper and Ennistymon the Irish Oaks dangers
Jessica Harrington saddles a leading contender in Cayenne Pepper. One of stable jockey Shane Foley’s favourite mounts, this Australia filly won a Group 3 over a mile here last summer.
Cayenne Pepper made all the running and completed her hat-trick after a couple of victories in minor events. She was then a below par fourth on her first British start when beaten three lengths in the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket.
As Cayenne Pepper looked to have been denied a clear run at a key stage, a line can be put through that effort. She ran a fine race behind older O’Brien mare Magical when second in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes on reappearance.
That race over 1m 2f saw her keep on well in the final furlong despite being no match for the winner. Cayenne Pepper is now back against fillies of her own age, and there is nothing of Magical’s proven class in the Irish Oaks line-up.
It makes her a leading contender for Classic honours off top rating. The same can be said of Epsom Oaks runner-up Ennistymon – another of the O’Brien quartet in the line-up.
Another by the mighty Galileo, she reversed Royal Ascot form with Frankly Darling last time out. Ennistymon broke her maiden tag at Leopardstown just last month.
She is another to have made rapid progress, but was no match for the winner on her two subsequent starts in Group company. The Irish Oaks is a fourth race is less than six weeks for Ennistymon.
Her Epsom effort when dueling with Love may also leave its mark. Ennistymon was beaten nine lengths and the effort of holding on for second may have left its mark.
This is easier, but having just two weeks to get over those exertions has to be a concern.
New York Girl could bounce back
Joseph O’Brien was perhaps a little overambitious throwing New York Girl in against the colts in the Irish Derby. Now back against her own sex, she can go well at a bigger price.
This daughter of New Approach was fourth in the Irish 1000 Guineas over a mile here on her penultimate start. She was only a neck behind Fancy Blue in second on that occasion.
That one has gone on to land the Prix de Diane at Chantilly. New York Girl was only seventh in the Irish Derby, but never on terms.
She is likely to find the Irish Oaks much easier. Many of the big guns aren’t running in it, so she can be seen in a better light in a weaker Classic.
New York Girl has the same official rating of 106 as Snow, yet can be backed at more than twice the price. On that basis, she is one to consider each-way for the Irish Oaks.
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