Don’t call me should not be ignored

As we might have expected, Mark Johnston ran Master Of Finance at Ascot on Friday prior to a probable tilt at a Goodwood handicap next week. I think we had the horse worked out very well and he left his York running  –  where he had no chance from a wide draw  –  behind in finishing an excellent second, giving 12lb to the winner. He is a grand sort, a very tough handicapper who may still go close at the big meeting on the Sussex Downs. Callers to the line made a profit on him, each-way at 8/1 at Ascot.

Johnston has a fine record in multi-runner handicaps at the Berkshire course and I nurse a sneaking regard for Enlace in the International Stakes at 3.15 on Saturday. I am never put off by indifferent runs at Chester and this horse will be happier down the straight seven. I’d also have a small each-way investment on Don’t Call Me, who will be a huge price after just going under in a claimer at Doncaster last time.
Don’t Call Me is a funny old character and he wouldn’t have enjoyed being sucked into a protracted battle with the winner that day. His game is all about coming late in much bigger fields, when he can be kidded into thinking it isn’t a race until well inside the final furlong. People will not have horses beaten in a claimer in a race like this, especially when they’re ‘unfashionably’ ridden. There are probably bookmakers playing on the first five and I advise risking a few coins on him.

Jamie Spencer is quite something when he judges things to perfection and he cleverly put George Cinq in front close to the line last time after keeping him tucked away. The booking of Nina Carberry looks highly significant in the Longines Handicap for ladies and I suspect he will produce a very similar display. Sometimes in races of this nature it’s all about tactics and jockeyship and you don’t need to worry quite so much about a strict interpretation of the handicap.

There are some interesting bookings around the country. Jimmy Quinn for Mick Easterby’s Among Angels in the valuable six-furlong handicap at Newmarket, Silvestre de Sousa on Mick Channon’s Shore Step at York and Tom Marquand on old Triple Dream at Salisbury in the evening. The poor old soul seems to run every few days but retains his enthusiasm and would have won in a few more strides at Ffos Las earlier this week.