DAVID O’MEARA enjoyed high-profile success at Goodwood last week and, while Flyman is pitched at a lower lever at Ripon, he can nevertheless strike gold in the Armstrong Memorial Handicap.
Formerly trained by Richard Fahey, the five-year-old was good enough to win off a mark of 90 at the start of the 2014 season, prompting an 8lb rise which proved far too tough an ask for him. Following an indifferent season, Flyman was switched to O’Meara’s yard with connections clearly hoping he could work his rejuvenating wonders on this Pastoral Pursuits gelding.
His first three starts yielded little joy but he appeared to be coming back to something near his best when third off a mark of 87 at Doncaster last month. Beaten just a length at the finish, Flyman could not find the necessary extra gear at the finish but dropping back to six furlongs – a distance he has won over previously – he makes plenty of appeal.
Frankie Dettori and Richard Hannon should enjoy a good evening at Windsor with Al Khateya and Aldayha both boasting excellent chances.
Newcomer Al Khateya tackles the opening Ladbrokes British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes and given she boasts entries in the likes of the Cheveley Park Stakes, connections will surely be hoping this event is well within her compass.
Aldayha also sports the Al Shaqab Racing colours in the Royal Berkshire Odd Fellows Handicap. Like Al Khateya, this three-year-old is a daughter of Acclamation and has shown plenty of dash in her two starts to date.
Well beaten on her racecourse bow at Lingfield in May, Hannon’s charge stepped up on that markedly as she claimed a Salisbury maiden next time up. She finished two-and-a-half lengths clear of Almohtaseb and given that one has since come out and won by seven lengths, the form looks pretty decent.
Carlisle stages its annual lady riders’ night and Amy Ryan can take the starring role aboard True Pleasure in the Look Good Feel Better Handicap. She disappointed at Chester when the track did not suit at all so back at a venue where she struck gold a couple of years ago, True Pleasure can get back on the winning track.
Queen’s Pearl has proved most consistent in her previous runs and is the one to be on in Nottingham’s Join Us On Tuesday 11th August Fillies’ Handicap. Bar an initial disappointment on her racecourse bow last July, Queen’s Pearl has finished in the first two in every outing, twice getting her head in front.
She overcame a short absence to land a fair Newmarket event last time and is taken to follow up.
IRISH NEWS YANKEE
Nap: Flyman (3.45pm, Ripon)
Double: Aldayha (7.30pm, Windsor)
Treble: True Pleasure (8.15pm, Carlisle)
Yankee: Queen’s Pearl (3.30, Ripon)
