Saturday’s Greenham Stakes betting preview: Latest runners, riders and odds for the final field
THE Greenham Stakes may have lost some its dazzle with the withdrawal of Too Darn Hot – but a competitive field of 10 are still set to go to post.
So lets run through all of Saturday’s contenders…
1. Almufti – Hugo Palmer/Frankie Dettori (20-1)
Useful two-year-old but looks held by Mohaather on form after finishing third in a Group 3 contest over course and distance last season.
Will need to step up if he is to take up his 2000 Guineas entry.
Hugo Palmer on Almufti
“He is an interesting horse. We thought a huge amount of him last year.
“He was disappointing the first two times and he had rumbling sore shins and I had to take my medicine and give him the time he needed.
“He came back and won very well at Kempton, then he ran a good race on ground too soft in the Horris Hill.
“He has shown plenty of speed so it will be interesting to see what his best trip is. He could be a Britannia or a Jersey horse in time.
“He has done nothing wrong in his work. I’ve been very pleased how he has taken everything and he looks tremendous.
“We took him away to Chelmsford the other day so he should be ready.”
2. Boitron – Richard Hannon/Silvestre De Sousa (3-1)
Heads the market for a reason, won three on the trot before a good fourth behind Royal Marine in a Group 1 in France on his last start of the year.
Had a wind operation since then and could improve even more – although he wouldn’t have to improve much to win this.
Owner Tim Palin on Boitron
“The Lagardere form was given a boost by Broome winning the Ballysax last weekend and the fifth horse, Shaman, came out and won the Prix la Force recently.
“It was a bit of a strange race, they seemed to keep the same order throughout, on the pace was the place to be and we found ourselves with too much to do.
“That was his first run in a Group 1, but he was far from disgraced.
“We think he wants a mile, he’s bred for it.”
3. Great Scot – Tom Dascombe/Richard Kingscote (9-2)
Outran his odds to finish a very close fifth in the Group 1 Vertem Futurity Trophy last year.
That form puts him in with a chance and likely to be bang there at the finish as connections hope to continue the 2000 Guineas dream.
4. He’Zanarab – Richard Hannon/Sean Levey (33-1)
Put together some smart form before flopping when last seen at York. That was back in August and has been given a long break since then.
Has plenty to find on form and yard have a much stronger chance with Boitron.
5. Hello Youmzain – Kevin Ryan/James Doyle (4-1)
Put up a taking performance when winning a French Group 2 contest back in October. Steps up in trip today but this distance should be within reach.
Form gives him at least a place chance.
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6. Magic J – Ed Vaughan/Oisin Murphy (8-1)
$950,000 yearling who made a winning debut in September. That was impressive and he could have a ton of untapped potential.
Not as streetwise as some of his rivals but must be respected.
Ed Vaughan on Magic J
“Obviously with the favourite out it’s a bit of a different race, but the ground would still be a concern.
“On his pedigree and his action, he’s a horse that wants better ground so we will see how it is after racing on Friday.
“We’re keen to get him out and see where we are.
“He’s a horse that won his maiden on his only start last year, so it’s hard to know how good he is – you only really know when you get racing.
“He’s entered in the Guineas, but we’ll see how he goes at the weekend before making plans.”
7. Mohaather – Marcus Tregoning/Jim Crowley (9-2)
Landed a Group 3 contest over course and distance back in October confirming himself as a useful prospect.
This is tougher but likely to improve once again and holds strong claims.
Marcus Tregoning on Mohaather
“I think we’ve had a pretty straightforward winter. It has been relatively mild compared to last year when we got all the snow.
“We’ve had a good run with him and he seems in good form.
“Ultimately the Horris Hill was an indication that we might have a nice horse.
“He had been working very well at home and I was impressed in the way he won.
“He is still learning. I think he has more to offer because he was still a bit green.
“When he hit the front there, he just had to be caught hold of a little. He definitely has ability and we will see if he has trained on.
“He will go well prepared and in very good form. Hopefully he will run a nice race and we’ll see what happens.
“There are no guarantees he be will good enough to win it, but he is in very good form.”
8. No Nonsense – David Elsworth/Gerald Mosse (12-1)
Progressive last season but that was in a lower grade and on the all-weather.
Has plenty to prove now upped in trip and switching to turf, others are much stronger in this.
9. Taylormade – Mohamed Moubarak/Stevie Donohoe (100-1)
Seven-furlong winner last year but struggled in Listed company after that. Has been gelded and looks way out of his depth here.
Look to others.
10. Urban Icon – Richard Hannon/Tom Marquand (12-1)
Unbeaten in two starts but they were both over six furlongs and in a lesser grade.
Tougher task today and while he is open to plenty of improvement, he must take a big step forward to be involved today.