18th-Apr-2023

Ottoman Fleet isn’t a big price now for the Earl of Sefton Stakes, he was a 9/4 shot generally when I wrote him up this morning, and I considered not backing him now at the shorter price, but I have concluded that he is still a bet on ground and at a track that will suit him. He has lots in his favour.

Fourth in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot last summer, Charlie Appleby’s horse was progressive at the end of last season, finishing second to Alfaila in the Group 3 Darley Stakes over today’s course and distance in early October, and then winning a listed race over 10 furlongs on soft ground at Newmarket two weeks later.

He raced three times in Dubai during the spring and, while he didn’t win, he ran well on all three occasions on good ground. He should appreciate the return to softer conditions today, and the return to Newmarket, where his record reads 121. 

Poker Face is his main danger. The Crisfords’ horse was three for three last season, and he handled easy conditions well on his final run at Pontefract in October. He has a really attractive profile, but this is a big step up in grade for him, from a 0-85 handicap into a Group 3 race, the Earl of Sefton Stakes, and there is a good chance that Ottoman Fleet will just have too much class for him.

OTTOMAN FLEET WON (ADV 7/4, SP 6/4)