Leopardstown Thursday 10th June

I felt it was a really unlucky day today and one that could have ended up going a lot better than the finished results would have indicated. First of all, at Fontwell, it was a massive shame to see Mystic Court unseat at three out after just taking up the running and travelling sweetly. With the way the race ended up panning out, with the favourite finding very little for pressure, I think our selection could well have won for not departing when he did. After that, Aesop ran a superb race from the back of the pack in the Cork Derby to fly home for third money, only being beaten just over a length. The race wasn’t run to suit but it was nice to pick up some each way selections.

Yet again, I have two selections today. Both coming from the flat action at Leopardstown.

My first selection comes in the feature race of the evening, the Ballycorus Stakes at 5.50. This looks like a fascinating clash that sees the clash of 3YO and older horses form. My selection comes at the head of the market in the form of Monaasib, who even though is favourite in this race, I believe is over-priced.

Monaasib developed into a high-class 2YO last season having been very green in his early runs. He won a Curragh maiden in decisive manner before following up with a conditions race victory at Cork. This earned him a crack at some of the best 2YO races in Ireland and posted big efforts when finishing second in a valuable sales race at Naas and a second place in the Beresford behind High Definition.

This season, he reappeared over this C&D at Leopardstown when finishing third in the Guineas trial. That form has been more than franked by the winner, Poetic Flare, who went on to win the 2000 Guineas and come 2nd in the Irish equivalent also. Monaasib trailed in 8th in that Irish 2000 Guineas and now takes a step back down in class. He may not have the same experience as his fellow market rivals, but he gets a healthy weight for age allowance. At a best price of 7/2 with Paddy Power, I feel he must go very close.

And my final selection comes in the nightcap, an ultra-competitive staying handicap over 1m7f at 7.50. I am extremely keen on the Mick Halford trained, Anyonecanhaveitall. He has been disappointing so far for this yard after being quite a prolific young stayer for Mark Johnston in his earlier years. He won off marks in the 70s for Johnston and seemed a dour stayer over the 2m trip. He has now come crashing down from an opening Irish mark of 81 to 64.

Off this mark last time out, he showed a return to form when finishing fourth in a similar handicap at Navan over 1m5f. That trip could well have been a shade on the sharp side and the return to this trip could unlock another bit of improvement. He is more than capable of performing off this mark and everything should be in his favour for a good run. At a price of 16/1 with Bet365 with 4 places available, I think he is a good Each Way bet.