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.
Weld filly can retain crown
Last year’s Irish St Leger winner Search For A Song is back to defend her crown on Irish Champions Weekend at The Curragh in the 1m 6f Group 1 contest on Sunday (16:40).
Far be it from me to criticise trainer Dermot Weld, but he has been campaigning his star filly over the wrong trip since her victory in this 12 months ago.
Search For A Song shaped liked a potential stayer in the 2019 Irish Oaks and when winning a Listed contest at York. The way she stayed on strongly for Irish St Leger success last year, beating Kew Gardens by 2 1/4 lengths was really quite taking.
Imagine my surprise, then, when Weld dropped the daughter of Galileo back half-a-mile in trip on reappearance. It was a nonsense that bookmakers sent Search For A Song off the 2/1 joint-favourite when so far down in distance.
She weakened after two out and finished sixth of nine in the Mooresbridge, beaten 14 lengths by Leo De Fury. Under the welter burden of 10st 2lb, Search For A Song was then pulled up in the Group 3 Munster Oaks.
Her showing in the Tattersalls Gold Cup when a never nearer four-length third to Magical reads pretty well. Again, the trip was the wrong one but she ran way better than odds of 50/1 suggested.
Now finally getting the test of stamina that she needs, Search For A Song can can get back on the scoresheet. The form of last year’s success holds up really well.
Although nothing like as well-in this time around, Search For A Song looks a value bet in an intriguing renewal. The only concern is the form of the stable which has been patchy at best this season.
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Twilight Payment continues to confound me by being better than ever as a seven-year-old. However, he was well held in this race 12 months ago.
Of those towards the head of the betting, British raider Fujaira Prince could be a bigger threat. Trained by Roger Varian, this lightly-raced six-year-old gelding has won two valuable staying handicaps this season.
Fujaira Prince defied a 9lb rise for his Royal Ascot victory by following-up in the Ebor at York. The handicapper has again upped his rating 6lb to 114, leaving connections of this son of Pivotal no option but to look at Group races.
If turning up in the same form as on the Knavesmire, then Fujaira Prince has a big shout. The concern, however, is that he hasn’t been easy to train.
Varian now asks Fujaira Prince to back-up his York victory 22 days later and the last time he raced twice in less than a month, he was beaten.
It’s only a third as long to recover as he had between Royal Ascot and the Ebor Festival. If Fujaira Prince can leave such fragility behind him, then he has obvious claims on the upgrade.
This demands more than the Ebor, but there are no stamina doubts. As 2019 Irish Derby winner Sovereign has course and distance form to reverse with Twilight Payment, Fujaira Prince is the clear danger on his Emerald Isle debut.
Passion an each-way angle in Irish St Leger
Aidan O’Brien has some way to go still to match Weld’s eight wins in this race or the record nine saddled by namesake Vincent.
Two of the last three victors sent out from Ballydoyle have been three-year-olds. On that basis, Passion looks each-way value for the five-time Irish St Leger winning handler.
This daughter of Galileo was third in the Irish Oaks when staying on. She thus has a similar profile to Search For A Song.
Her victory in the Group 3 Stanerra Stakes at Naas over this trip saw her dictate the pace and make all. It was a very tactically astute ride on soft ground from Seamie Heffernan.
Passion found plenty for pressure and was always doing enough for her 1 3/4 lengths win. There were some useful fillies and mares in-behind, including Epsom Oaks runner-up Ennistymon.
The Irish St Leger is a step up in grade for Passion, but she gets the trip. Off bottom weight of 8st 11lb, courtesy of age and sex allowances, she could make the frame here.
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