Jack Milner
Sometimes, having to find a best bet can be quite arduous as one spends long periods studying collateral form, comparing weights, assessing average merit ratings and the quality of countless fields.
On other occasions it’s a no-brainer, and that is the case at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Wednesday.
That’s because Justin Snaith has chosen this meeting to reintroduce stable star and last season’s Equus Horse Of The Year Captain’s Ransom.
One barely has to look too closely at the form because we all know the achievements of this magnificent five-year-old mare – 15 runs, 12 wins, six of them Grade 1 races, and two places.
The only reservation of sceptics was the fact she had not taken on the colts in her first 14 starts. But the daughter of Captain Al settled that debate in no uncertain manner when she claimed the Grade 1 Mercury Sprint over 1200m at Greyville, a trip many felt would be too short, and at course which had witnessed two of her three defeats.
Captain’s Ransom makes her return in Race 3, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1400m, where she will be taking on males once again. It comes as no surprise she is the best weighted runner and is at least 2kg better off with her closest rival, another stable star, Do It Again.
To detail more of her remarkable record, Captain’s Ransom has won seven of her eight starts at Kenilworth, her only defeat coming on debut when she finished second. She has also won four of five races when coming back from a layoff and is unbeaten over the distance.
What more do you want? Captain’s Ransom looks about as close to the proverbial “racing certainty” as one will find.
Do It Again and Waterberry Lane look most likely to follow her home.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 5 Aussenkehr, 2 Gimme's Laddie, 3 Settle The Dust, 10 San Pedro
Race 2: 3 Whoa Whoa Whoa, 1 Dancetildaylight, 4 Distinction, 7 Veronica Mars
Race 3: 6 Captain's Ransom, 2 Waterberry Lane, 7 Do It Again, 3 Future Prince
Race 4: 4 Blackberry Malt, 13 Innamorare, 12 Narina Trogon, 2 Incredibill
Race 5: 3 Gold Poker Game, 7 Umvoti, 9 Metar, 2 Lady Silvano
Race 6: 3 Raising Quinn, 1 Beneath The Moon, 6 Happy Chance, 10 Call It Fate
Race 7: 8 The Futurist, 6 Navy Strength, 7 Dowser, 3 I Want It All
Race 8: 8 Double Dream, 5 Camille Claudel, 3 Fur Baby, 2 Alittlebitnaughty
BEST BET
Race 3 No 6 Captain’s Ransom
VALUE BET
Race 8 No 8 Double Dream
BEST SWINGER
Race 1 2x5
BIPOT
R288
Leg 1: 2, 5
Leg 2: 1, 3, 4
Leg 3: 6
Leg 4: 2, 4, 12, 13
Leg 5: 3, 7, 9
Leg 6: 1, 3, 6, 10
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R324
Leg 1: 1, 3
Leg 2: 6
Leg 3: 4, 12, 13
Leg 4: 3, 7
Leg 5: 1, 3, 6
Leg 6: 6, 7, 8
Leg 7: 3, 5, 8
PICK 6
R1440
Leg 1: 6
Leg 2: 2, 4, 12, 13
Leg 3: 3, 7, 9
Leg 4: 1, 3, 6, 10
Leg 5: 1, 3, 6, 7, 8
Leg 6: 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10
JACKPOT 1
R240
Leg 1: 2, 4, 12, 13
Leg 2: 3, 7, 9
Leg 3: 1, 3, 6, 10
Leg 4: 1, 3, 6, 7, 8
JACKPOT 2
R360
Leg 1: 3, 7, 9
Leg 2: 1, 3, 6, 10
Leg 3: 1, 3, 6, 7, 8
Leg 4: 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10