Sports Leviathan has a ‘Hot Prospect’ at soggy Newbury today

With David Moncoutie coming second in yesterdays stage at around 33/1 as well as Sammy Sanchez’s win the day before Sports Leviathan’s Cycling wing looks to firing on all Cylinders.  Todays stage is trickier to pick the winner as it is likely to come from one of the final selection seen chasing Sanchez home on Luiz Ardiden.  The Schlecks, Contador, Evans, Sanchez, Cunego and Basso are all in the mix and I expect one of those to win.  There aren’t many great prices knocking around but given how strong Frank Schleck looked the other day and the fact Basso and Evans will be most suited to the final part of the climb I suspect that may be the top 3.  Evans and Basso are both about 10-1 and if I was to have a punt Evans could put a serious marker down by winning today and I would probably just shade him as favourite today – unless Sammy comes and spoils the party again, he is probably the most dynamic climber of the the lot.  Whatever happens today is going to be a real cracker.

Horse Racing this weekend really focuses on Sunday  at the Curragh with the best renewal of the Irish Oaks I can remember.  The  1000 Guineas winner (and Oaks 3rd) Blue Bunting locks horns with the her conquerors Dancing for Rain and Wonder of Wonders.  Throw the Ribblesdale Stakes winner Banimpire into the mix and we are in for a real cracker.  I personally really like Wonder of Wonders chances but at the price may just be a passionate observer.

Today I have had a few bets although nothing of real confidence, more speculative, however there is one horse who catches my eye.  Hot Prospect ran in Workforce’s Derby last year and finished 9th.  That puts his benchmark pretty high and since then he has acted best on soft ground.  Trained by Roger Varian who continues to perform well (although not many winners of late) I think Hot Prospect who is down in class and loves soft ground will go well today.  Newbury’s weather forecast was for heavy rain all night and not much let up today.  The ground is still apparently good to firm but I suspect with a bit more rain this may be subject to change and I like his chances at around 12/1.

Also I am very pleased with Martin Kaymer‘s progress, I hope his metronomic and consistent approach prevails in tricky conditions at Royal St. Georges.  He is now 6/1 favourite so our 25/1 is looking fantastic right now!

Advice -

1pt win – Hot Prospect 10/1 – General (Market support has seen him backed in since I wrote the above article)

SL