Please see my four picks for Sunday 1st August 2021 – Good Luck!
Generator City – 2.30 Market Rasen – 3 Mile Handicap Chase – 28/1 Betfred – 3 places – 1 point each way.
The 8 year old Generator City was originally trained in Ireland by Denis Gerard Hogan where he performed at a good level over hurdles postmarking a high of 115 (3 miles), before being sent chasing.
He is a big strapping sort so 3 mile chasing was always going to be his game. This was realised when he won a 3 mile novice chase in 2019 beating Minella Ways into second place who is now rated 159.
Generator City was then off for a year before making his UK debut in October 2020 in what looked like a seasonal prep over hurdles where he had a good blow out before being eased and pulled up. Bearing in mind he is a big unit this is no surprise. His next two starts, before Christmas, were over chases where he’d stripped fitter running much better finishing 4th and 5th, postmarked 114 and 122 respectively.
Generator City is very much a good ground horse, so he was put away over winter and only returned to action recently in June, where again he was given a prep run over hurdles and pulled up. He was also given a wind operation over the winter, so this run will have helped gain confidence in his breathing.
He makes his second start today over chases and like last season I’m expecting him to step up for that comeback run.
He has been dropped from 125 to 110 for his UK chase starts and that makes him look very well handicapped. He is up against 6 rivals, none of whom look ahead of the handicapper. Indeed Mr Mafia, a consistent 12 year old who is handicapped to the hilt is the likely favourite.
My one concern for Generator City is the ground. He loves good summer ground, and the good news is that it’s currently good going, reading 8 on the penetrometer (which is close to good to firm). However there is 3mm of rain forecast overnight (60% probability). If this all arrives then the ground might ease to good/soft which would diminish his chances. Hopefully not all this falls and we get the desired good ground.
At 28/1 with Betfred, who also offer 3 places in this 7 runner event he has to be a great each way play, and I recommend 1 point each way.
He still looks value at 14/1.
Ambassadorial – 4.45 Chester – 7.5 Handicap – 16/1 William Hill – 1 Point Each Way.
The 7 year old Ambassadorial has a touch of class having postmarked 111 when on his travels to Meydan. He has a split handicap mark whereby he is rated 103 on the all weather but only 89 on the turf.
Whilst he has undoubtedly run his best races on the all-weather, he has posted some good efforts on the turf including two seconds over a mile at Newmarket off 90.
Ambassadorial has run predominantly at Newmarket for his turf runs and I think the undulations don’t necessarily suit him as all his best form is on flat left handed tracks. He has also led over a mile and been picked up a number of times in the last half a furlong and it could well be that Chester’s left handed flat configuration and this 7.5F trip could be perfect for him.
He is certainly well handicapped and with a recent run under his belt after having a break after racing at the Meydan Dubai Festival in March he can take a step forward today.
At odds of 16/1 in this 8 runner race he looks a nice each way play, and I recommend 1 point each way.
He still looks value at 10/1.
St Cianans Fire – 1.45 Galway – 1 Mile Handicap – 40/1 Boylesports – 5 places BOG – 1 Point Each Way.
St Cianans Fire is really at the start of his racing career having just the three starts in maidens followed by his handicap debut in May this year.
He showed distinct promise in his first start over 6F where he ran green and then stayed on the outside to finish 8th of 13 losing by 6 lengths, postmarking 71.
Interestingly connections chose to step him back to 5F for his next two maiden starts which would be against him and has inhibited him from posting a higher mark than his debut run.
He was allocated a fair mark of 68 and on his handicap debut connections again kept him over 5F which saw him dwell at the start, racing in last place before staying on steadily towards the finish.
The handicapper had no choice but to drop him 2lb to 66 and today St Cianans Fire looks really interesting now he is stepped up markedly to 1 mile.
This 1 mile trip should see some significant improvement considering on the dams side he is bred to appreciate 1m to 1m 2F.
This will be his fifth start and his previous runs will have given him invaluable experience which bodes well for a big run today.
Connections have also jocked up an eye catching top apprentice, Dylan Browne McMonagle, and his 3lb claim is a real bonus and nets St Cianans Fire’s mark down to just 63. Considering he has already postmarked 71 with massive improvement on the cards for the step up in trip he looks really well handicapped.
The icing on the cake is a plum inside draw in stall 3 which should allow him to gain a handy position near the rail on this tight track.
With so much going for him it’s amazing we can get 40/1 with Boylesports who also offer 5 places and best odds guaranteed. I’m recommending 1 point each way.
He is still value at 16/1.
Koropick – 2.22 Thirsk – 5F Handicap – 50/1 Boylesports – 1 Point Each Way.
I have put up Koropick before this season as he is exceptionally well handicapped and will win one soon. He is now down to a mark of just 65 from a high 109
Please read my previous write up in italics below for more background information.
Koropick showed a hint of form last time out and now returns to one of the tracks where he won a race, so conditions should suit.
Just a small step forward would see him place or possibly win cosily at a massive price.
At 50/1 we have to get involved and I recommend 1 point each way. Please go with a best odds guaranteed bookmaker as this stables horses tend to drift before the off.
He is still value at 25/1.
Koropick – 3.27 Beverley – 5F Handicap – 33/1 Bet365 – 1.5 Points Each Way
Koropick has a fascinating profile, he is 7 years old and as a younger horse showed himself to be a proper Group Class performer.
As a 2 year old he won his 6F maiden and went on to compete in Group 1, 2 & 3 sprints postmarking a high of 106.
He progressed as a 3 year old and finished 2nd to the mighty Bataash over 5F, postmarking 110. He peaked with a Group 3 success at Newcastle where he postmarked 113.
Koropick was retired to stud for the next 2 years but returned to the track last year and was clearly not fit, finishing last both times in big Saturday Handicaps.
This season he has had two runs, his first at 300/1 in a handicap where he again finished last, but on his latest start over 5F, going off at 125/1 he took a step forward and travelled well in behind and made a move 2F to challenge, but his run flattened out.
I feel from a fitness and wellbeing angle he is coming to the boil and as a three year old he certainly needed a run or two to hit his peak form.
Koropick’s best form was over 6F and ideally, he would have been stepped up, but he remains at 5F and thankfully he runs at Beverley’s stiff 5F course which is bound to suit him.
Koropick has dropped down the weights from a high of 109, to just 73 today. Now he is fit for the first time since his 3 year old campaign he will find this class 4 handicap the easiest assignment of his whole career and must have a big chance.
At 33/1 with Bet365 he looks a strong bet and I recommend 1.5 points each way.
He is still value at 16/1.
