Regular readers will
remember that we previewed the Scottish Sprint Cup last year and,
while Dinkum Diamond (20/1) could do no better than third for this
column, the raft of fancy priced winners in the last 10 years remains
a cause for optimism.
The one that
immediately springs from the page is the 2013 winner, Kingsgate
Choice (25/1). Connections may have been a little carried away by
that success, subsequently running the Choisir gelding in a
succession of Listed and Pattern races, including the Group One Prix
de l’Abbaye de Longchamp, but he’s not badly handicapped as a
result and has the best of the draw in stall one. He could finish
only thirteenth of twenty, beaten 6 lengths, behind Monsieur Joe on
his reappearance at York two weeks ago, but is entitled to improve
for that run, his first since August. Indeed, Monsieur Joe wasn’t
beaten far under a penalty at Epsom last week, so the form looks
worth following.
Perfect Pastures (25/1)
could make no impression, from a high draw, in the same York contest,
eventually finishing nineteenth, 11 lengths behind the winner, but is
only 2lb higher in the weights than when winning at Southwell in
January. His turf form has yet to measure up to his all-weather form,
but it would take a brave man to suggest that it won’t, eventually,
and he could potentially fare much better this time from his
single-figure stall.
Masamah (16/1) may have
lost some of the lightning speed that was his trademark is his
heyday, but Marco Botti’s now 9-year-old did well to finish second
in this race last year and, notwithstanding Tom Marquand’s 7lb
claim, is 14lb better off with last year’s winner, Demora. The
Exceed And Excel gelding was in fair form on the all-weather earlier
this year and could improve a little for his return to turf at
Chester last month. He’s on a losing run of twenty, but is
consequently 1lb lower in the weights than when winning at Ascot two
seasons ago, so a decent run would be no real surprise.
Obviously, we need to
take a few things on trust, but our three against the field this week
are, in order of preference, Kingsgate Choice (25/1 with Totesport,
Betfred and Stan James), Perfect Pastures (25/1 with the same three
bookmakers, plus Bet Victor and Betfair Sportsbook) and Masamah (16/1
generally available). Good luck!
