Totesport Scurry Stakes betting and odds

Scurry Stakes betting preview

After the thrills and spills of Epsom Derby weekend seven days ago the flat racing continues with the Totesport.com Scurry Stakes at Sandown, writes Mikey Mumford. Pour Moi may have scooped the Derby for the French, but the Scurry Stakes prize is certain to stay in Britain or Ireland as a field of ten runners head to post for the 5f sprint. Andrew Balding’s Night Carnation currently occupies favouritism after her win over course and distance two starts back. Competition is fierce however, with Dinkum Diamond (another course and distance winner) and Margot Did likely to be the main challengers. Free £25 bet from William Hill on this race.

Ahtoug’s (10/1) latest going away win at Chester over a stiff 5f was impressive although he was held by Night Carnation the time before. Mahmood Al Zarooni’s three-year-old colt failed by two lengths that day over course and distance but those two had pulled clear of the third horse. Entitled to respect on good to firm ground he often races prominently with the pace; although will have to overcome widest of draws to figure.

He was a little out of his depth in the 5f dash at Epsom last Saturday and Richard Fahey’s Arctic Feeling (16/1) must improve significantly. He was fourteenth of sixteenth on Derby day, slowly into stride and always behind and has found Grade 1 listed company difficult this year. A repeat of his Ayr win last September where he beat the useful Kyrpton Factor by a neck would give him a slim chance, but not sure he will do that.

She’s mixing it with the boys this afternoon but Button Moon’s (25/1) odds on win maiden win was pleasing on her penultimate start. She ran on strongly to score but was well held next time upped in class at Newbury where she was a distant seventh behind both Dinkum Diamond and Pabusar. Work to do to reverse that form and only that maiden win in 13 turf starts doesn’t bode confidence; best watched.

Three-year-old Irish colt Dinkum Diamond (4/1) is a consistent type for Henry Candy’s yard after winning on debut and following up over course and distance last year. He’s struggled since though; never nearer to the leaders in the Norfolk and Nunthorpe and failed to justify favouritism at Newbury latest. Dane O’Neill takes the ride but despite not getting his head in front of late, Dinkum Diamond has ran well in defeat. A previous course and distance winner here at Sandown Park and can go well for connections again.

There’s little to go on about the unexposed Googlette (25/1) on her only two racecourse appearances. This filly outran her 33/1 odds on debut at Newmarket over 6f, beaten a neck by Godolphin’s Al Sharood. Difficult to know what that bare form amounts to with the winner seemingy well beaten in the Albany Stakes next time. Equally adept on the all weather, she duly obliged at Kempton on her last run in 2010 and is open to improvement. Tougher ask here, but should improve again which is more than can be said about some of her rivals; each way claims.

Michael Bell and Hayley Turner team up with the likeable Margot Did (9/2). After winning her maiden at Newbury last May and following up with an easy success at Yarmouth, this filly was touched off in the Albany at Royal Ascot and in the Lowther Stakes at York for what has been an impressive two-year-old campaign. On her reapparance this year, she probably needed the run over 6f in a listed contest at Ascot and was unlucky latest at York where she rallied late to finish fourth a length behind winner Night Carnation, and placed horses Move In Time and The Thrill Is Gone. Entitled to respect now fully tuned up and should be thereabouts once more.

Another who showed early promise landing his maiden at the second attempt at Newcastle is Move In Time (10/1) where beaten favourite Ahtoug was left trailing three lengths behind in third. Hasn’t quite lived up to expectations since but a good second at the back end of 2010 and another close finish on his reappearance at York half-a-length behind Night Carnation suggests he may have turned the corner. Bryan Smart’s stable are in decent form at this time of the year and his win at Beverley in a three-runner race where The Thrill Is Gone was behind in second provided a nice warm-up for this race. Still needs to find a little bit more but wouldn’t discount a good run from stall 2.

Pick of the field on recent form which Night Carnation (7/4) sets the standard after her course and distance win in April. Handles the track and finished a good second over slightly further at Doncaster last year; so no problems with the trip. Had Move In Time, The Thrill Is Gone and Margot Did just behind at York last time despite carrying her head awkwardly. One to beat again here but this filly knows how to win.

Hid Goodwood maiden win last July earned Pabusar (12/1) many plaudits when he was pushed out to lead by Jim Crowley inside the final furlong. Was just touched off at York next time over a shorter 5f and looked liked he’d improve for the run on his reappearance this year where he finished sixth of eight (well held by Dinkum Diamond). Ralph Beckett’s runner can be forgiven for that run and should be challenging for place claims at the least.

The Thrill Is Gone (14/1) ran a cracker behind Night Carnation and Move In Time at Beverley latest; this after a creditable third at York over 5f. Richard Hughes rides for Mick Channon and this filly breaks well from gates so could make the running and have a few of these battling it out with her up front. The only negative is she has only her maiden win to show for her efforts; wouldn’t rule out just yet and any market confidence would be significant.

A trappy little affair over a sharp 5f means The Thrill Is Gone must be considered if she can lead from the gates. Likewise Margot Did enters calculations here after an impressive two-year-old campaign, Night Carnation sets the standard on form and should be capable of taking this but preference is for MOVE IN TIME who may have just turned the corner and can win this for trainer Bryan Smart and Tom Eaves. Free £25 bet from William Hill on any race at Sandown.

By Mikey Mumford

Click here to view all free bets from online bookmakers