ITV Friday Racing Preview - 10/09/21

At a double figure price and looking like the value in the first race on ITV is the Owen Burrows trained Alflaila, who ran a huge race at York last time out that should put him in the frame in this one.

The two year old son of Dark Angel has been a very consistent performer to date, making a winning debut at Salisbury in June and then backed that up with a close up fourth in a hot race at Yarmouth.

He then went to Newmarket and finished a good second over six furlongs, but at York took his form to a new level when staying on into second on handicap debut.

What made this horse an eye-catcher was the way he did everything wrong coming out the stalls and then stayed on in the latter stages to finish runner up behind a nice type.

He has key experience and if settling better at the start looks a big price.

The Group Two Flying Childers Stakes looks a very smart event with some standout juveniles taking to the course and we can't look past the favourite Armour.

The two year old son of No Nay Never has been seen four times during his career, seeming to progress nicely on all of his starts and now dropping back in class should go close.

Armor was first seen over course and distance at Town Moor winning a four runner Maiden in nice style and off the back of that went to Royal Ascot for the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes and ran on to finish a superb fifth of 25.

She was next seen at Goodwood in the Group Three Molecomb Stakes and gave one of his best runs to date when close to a four lengths winner.

Last time out he was stepped up to Group One company over in France and good to soft ground finished a good fourth behind some very smart youngsters.

Back in class and getting quick ground makes him the one to beat.

The feature race of the afternoon is the Group Two Doncaster Stakes and Stradivarius is looking to land the event for a second time.

The seven year old has been the poster boy for the UK staying division for the last four seasons landing 10 races in a row including winning a Weatherbys-sponsored £1million bonus in the last two seasons after landing the Yorkshire Cup, Ascot Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup and Lonsdale Cup at York.

As mentioned, Stradivarius lost his unbeaten record that stretched back to May 2018, when being pipped in a photo finish on Champions Day 2019 in the Long Distance Cup.

He came back last season and had a prep run in the Group One Coronation Cup where he ran to a good standard finishing third and gave him the run he needed to go and win a third straight renewal of this event.

After joining the likes of Double Trigger and Yeats after landing the Gold Cup, he headed to Glorious Goodwood seeking a fourth win in the Goodwood Cup, which he went on to win.

He was dropped in trip after that in prep for the Arc, where the race did not suit him and that seemed to really mess him about with him only beating one home in the Long Distance Cup.

The mighty veteran came back this season for the Group Three Sagaro Stakes at Ascot and was a superb winner of the event over two miles.

It set him up perfectly for a crack at his fourth straight victory in the Ascot Gold Cup at the royal meeting but unfortunately it was not to be with him being left far too much to do when turning for home.

He got back to his best last time out when out staying Spanish Mission at York in the Lonsdale Cup and if getting his better ground should be the one to beat.

The Class 2 Mallard Handicap over 1 m6 1/2f sees a big field of stayers head to post and we are siding with the Henry Candy trained Sovereign Duke who could go close with the added bonus of 5lb claimer Saffie Osbourne on board.

Having been running over hurdles last term the gelding was first seen this term at Kempton over 12f looking to need the run but last time out put up a superb performance when upped to 1m6f, finishing second behind a well handicapped horse.

Only up 1lb for that run Sovereign Duke should come one again and at this trip is worth taking a chance on.

The penultimate event of the afternoon is the Class 2 Handicap over 6 1/2 furlongs and the David Bridgwater trained Kimifive is now on a very dangerous mark, especially only having his third run for his new trainer.

Having been running below par, last time out he put up a superb effort to finish a good third at Epsom in a small runner handicap, being closed off up the rail which halted his progress.

Now 3lb lower than that mark he could be a huge player if running to a similar level and getting a clear run, also being last seen winning off a mark of 88, so essentially he is well in.

One to watch, having showed enough recently to see him land a big event like this.