“Mark Droppers” to Track  —  10/10/2023 & 17/10/2023

@lovestheraces

10/10/2023

Freedom Day 81 Soft Mile -
78 (-3) Keeping Freedom Day tracked for a soft mile, after he caught my eye at Doncaster. They did send him off favourite for the race at Epsom, but they had said previous to that run that they were going to spend some time working out his best conditions etc, so he's one that might not win for a couple of runs, but will probably win a couple on the bounce when he does go in.

Designer 97 Ebor Meeting Fillies 100k -
96 (-1) Similar to Lord Riddiford t'other week, I'll keep Designer tracked for the £100,000 Ebor Fillies handicap that she's dotted up in, these last two years.  This is clearly her seasonal target, could they retire her to broodmare duties at the end of the season though? Maybe.

Blue For You 102 Fast 1m -
100 (-2) He’s becoming well handicapped again, but he’s another that likes the faster surfaces. Drawn the wrong side at Ascot over 7F, but stayed on well. Due to run in the Balmoral, but he has to run off his mark of 102 on heavy ground so he wouldn’t have a chance in that, let’s hope the handicapper releases his grip a little more after that!

17/10/2023 

Yaaser 78 Fast Ground 7F Non Trier -
77 (-1) It's first of all worth mentioning his cracker at Ascot the week prior, when running a stormer in a strong 6F handicap. He had a horror passage that day, he was crying out for a gap, had to stop back to virtually last for room, then when in the clear up the rail he stormed home.  He perhaps found it a shade too sharp in good company. He's another horse that prefers quicker ground, so he didn't stand much chance taking to the soft ground at York, that being said he was a clear non-trier, so I'm surprised they gave him 1lb back at all. I'd bet him off this mark over a quick ground 7F, and on the AW.

Sound of Iona 67 Firm 6F -
62 (-5) Sound Of Iona is becoming very well handicapped from running in conditions that don't suit her, but it's no surprise that they are running her, considering the handicapper is willing to drop her 5lb's for a run on HEAVY ground. Sound Of Iona needs/wants a quick surface, and she's now dropped 18lb's since she last raced on a surface with firm in the going description (she's only ran 4 times since then). Keep her tracked for a quick ground 6F.

Cap Du Nord 128 Doncaster SBC - Kempton CT -
127 (-1) Another one similar to Lord Riddiford and Designer, he wouldn't even cross my mind for a bet until it gets to the Doncaster Sky Bet Chase - Kempton Coral Trophy time of the season. Cap Du Nord's MO seems to be run moderately, and lose a few lb's in the process, until Doncaster then tune him up for a couple of big days/pots.

Geremia 83 13F+ Cl3 / 4 -
82 (-1) Ran a very good race in the Cesarewitch to finish 9th, he had to run off a mark of 84 too, so technically (wherever he runs next) he will be off a 2lb lower mark. I’d be more interested at the 1m5F+ range. But, he's clearly well handicapped for when he has his sights lowered into shallower company. 

Apollo One 102 Soft 6f / AW? -
100 (-2) Clear track bias at York, so a 2lb drop is fairly surprising given his form going into the race, and where he was drawn/raced at York. Now back on the same mark as when 2nd in the Stewards Cup, and he's since been 3rd in the Beverley Bullet when running a cracker at the minimum trip, and then given what turned out to be a horror task by the draw at York. Don't necessarily think he needs a soft surface, but it definitely doesn't hinder his chances. His AW record is also very good, better than his turf record, so he'd be of definite interest on the AW.

Carolus Magnus Fast Ground / AW 9-10F 84 -
82 (-2) Firstly, it’s worth noting that all of his best form has come on much quicker surfaces, so he may not have appreciated the ground at York. We know how eye-catching his run’s for Easterby’s team have been, and York was no different. He was away smartly and was trying to pull Joanna into a prominent position, but she opted to try settle him in behind. But, because they didn’t go a crazy gallop in front he spent the whole race pulling Joanna’s arms wasting unnecessary energy. Once they got into the straight he started veering left, which meant Joanna had to spend a lot of time directing him right instead of pushing him forward. Once Carolus had realised that he couldn’t run into a wall of horses, it was too late and Joanna jogged him home. No idea what the plans are for him, but he’s well handicapped and on a quicker surface/AW he’s got a win or two in him. 

Fools Rush In 81 - 80 (-1)