Ramonti’s siffest task

Every now and then I wonder what life would be like if I played the exchanges. Obviously, Tesco would see less of me and madame would be kept waiting for the baking materials for her cakes which, together with my own infinitely more modest achievements, keep the Nailsea boat afloat.

Anyway, I think Ramonti has a huge task in the Prix du Moulin on Sunday. Taking on George Washington and Darjina, to name but two, would be a daunting task under any circumstances but the fact is that Ramonti’s Group One form does not quite stack up. The key horse is Cesare, who was only just over a length behind him in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot and looked Group One class himself (or just about) until found wanting behind Echelon at Goodwood. And, whilst he may have been quite busy lately, fourth-placed Dunelight did not help that form line this week either.

When Ramonti won the Sussex Stakes he benefited from a vintage Dettori ride, the Italian kicking at precisely the right moment against a horse which has to challenge late. In my view, Aidan O’Brien will know, through Excellent Art, exactly how George Washington stands with Ramonti. That does not take us all that much further forward because Darjina is a taking filly and looked on top of her game in the Prix d’Astarte last time.

There is not the slightest doubt that Godolphin have improved Ramonti, but it is equally certain that he will need to have improved again, and that may be asking a shade too much.

Each-way value in the Sprint Cup

Now that Sakhee’s Secret has closed in to around 11 to 10 for the Betfred Sprint Cup, it is hardly surprising that backers are looking for each-way alternatives. Hughie Morrison’s exciting three-year old was impressive in the July Cup at Newmarket but 11 to 10 requires him to be very nearly different class and that might be stretching things a bit.

Sakhee’s Secret shortened when Dutch Art became a doubtful runner because of the ground. The other, lesser reason was that last year’s winner Reverence dropped out, though this year’s race looks a good deal stronger than the one 12 months ago and it is unlikely a five-furlong specialist will dominate this time. Looking at the race that way takes us on to Red Clubs, who has not won over five furlongs since his two-year old days but was closing on the speedsters who fought out the Nunthorpe. He will be ideally suited by Saturday’s six and must have each-way prospects.

That is the surprising thing about the Sprint Cup market: the way each-way possibilities have lingered on with the race drawing near. The other certainty, apart from Red Clubs’ preference for six furlongs, is the fact that Balthazaar’s Gift was unable to do himself justice on sticky ground at Newmarket last time. He is the stuff headline stories are made of - owners go into administration, horse joins someone else and wins £300,000 Group One race. And the thing is, it could easily happen. Balthazaar’s Gift was hugely impressive in the Hackwood Stakes at Ascot before every single thing conspired against him in the Stewards’ Cup. Unlikely though it may seem, he was actually a good thing in that under 9st 12lb and may demonstrate as much at Haydock.

He went out to 16 to 1 after Newmarket, dropped to 14s earlier this week and you may be pushed to beat 12s now. The market will contract on the morning of the race, especially if one of the main tipping columns in the Racing Post opts for one of the above, which I should think is fairly likely. I am not saying it is possible to make out a strong case for Red Clubs or Balthazaar’s Gift against the favourite, but it was intriguing to find them both in double figures with 48 hours to go. Backing both each-way does not amount to a penalty kick but there is a pretty good chance of forcing a draw with the old enemy and there could well be an even happier result. The important thing is to act quickly.