Thursday 23 May 2019

6:35 Sandown (23rd May) Matchbook Betting Podcast National Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (2yo)


The National Stakes at Sandown. 

This Class 1 Listed race has a history which dates back to 1889. It was known as the National Breeders' Produce Stakes until 1959. In fact, in 1932 it was the ''most valuable two-year-old race of the English calendar''

Previous winners include the exceptional Pretty Polly (1903), The Tetrarch ((1913), Tiffin (1928), Myrobella, (1932), Tutor Minstrel (1946) & Belle Of All (1950).

Readers may remember modern-day winners including Bill O'Gorman's Superpower (1988) who won his first six races including the Norfolk Stakes and later in the two-year-old season the Phoenix Stakes (Group 1), Ireland. He was ridden in his first 8 races by Tony Ives. Superpower concluded his formative campaign when fourth in the Flying Childers when ridden by Willie Carson, behind Paul Felgate's Shuttlecock Corner (1988), who beat Sir Michael Stoute's Kerrera who went on to finish runner-up in the 1,000 Guineas at three-year-olds. 

Other exceptionally gifted two-year-old National Stakes winners include: 

1991 Marling (Geoff Wragg) 

(Went on to win the Irish 1,000 Guineas)

1992 Lyric Fantasy (Richard Hannon) 

(Went on to with the Nunthorpe Stakes)    

2013 Rizeena (Clive Britain) 

(Moyglare Stakes Group 1 winner, Ireland) 

2014 Tiggy Wiggy (Richard Hannon)

(Top-rated European two-year-old filly) 

Last year saw Tim Easterby's Vintage Brut who won on by a neck at 7/2 joint-favourite after thrashing his opponents by seven lengths when flying home on his debut at Thirsk.

2019 National Stakes Listed Race

This sprint over 5f 10y on good going has win prize money worth £17,013. From 13 paid entrants we see a field of just six two-year-olds take part. 

Full Authority, trained by David O'Meara, may start odds-on favourites after winning emphatically on debut at Chester by six lengths. Willow Farm Stable has a hot string of juveniles this season. 

Bryan Smart fields Proper Beau, who ran a cracking race on debut at Musselburgh when beating Alminoor by a neck. Mark Johnston's two-year-old ran out a tidy winner at Pontefract second start to frank the form.

Archie Watson's juveniles have been in flying form this season with smart two-year-olds such as Lady Kermit, Littledidyouknow & Execlusive. 

Electric Ladyland won her first two starts before heading to the Lily Agnes at Chester. A wide draw wasn't the best starting point and veering to her right when leaving the stalls gave little chance of success finishing in sixth place.

Robert Cowell's Strive For Glory did just that when winning on debut at Newcastle. By all accounts, that looked a weak race and marked improvement will be needed against a few speedy types. 

Charles Hills Flippa The Strippa won on her second start. This grey filly races in the familiar silks of Christoper Wright. More is needed here. 

Mark Johnston is a trainer always worth a second look. The first thing you will notice about Jm Jackson is that she is a very big filly. This daughter of No Nay Never ran pretty well on debut when a beaten favourite to Ventura Rebel who will be heading to Royal Ascot with high hopes after winning at Ascot last time out, when running on with gusto to beat a Wesley Ward speedster, who had trounced his rival on debut at Keeneland, USA. Jm Jackson could improve a good deal for that first start and over a month on the sidelines. 

Conclusion: Full Authority showed ample ability on debut at Chester. Proper Beau is a battling type and beat a fair opponent at Musselburgh. Jm Jackson could well improve for her first start and may run better than her odds.