3 minute read

Former Grant Williams trained mare Ideal Image appears very well placed to make a winning debut for her new stable, when set to contest the fifth event at Belmont on Saturday.

Now under the care of leading trainer Adam Durrant, the daughter of More Than Ready looks poised to notch up her fourth career win from just 10 starts.

Although unable to break through in five starts this year, Ideal Image continued to race in good order and it's very hard to knock the form around the likes of Sheidel and She's A Virtue.

She has won first up previously, has never missed the money over this trip and is unbeaten from her sole attempt at Belmont.

Leading rider William Pike links back aboard having placed in three of four attempts aboard the four-year-old.

Overall the Adam Durrant stable strikes at 15 per cent with tried gallopers having their first run for his stable.

More notably with William Pike aboard, the Durrant stable strikes at 29% (308 rides) and has run at a marginal POT of 1.5%.

Under the handicap conditions Ideal Image appears very well placed on her best form and given she was scratched last week in preference for this, it gives a further push for her claims.

Almost 4-1 is being offered about her chances on Saturday which appears luxurious odds as we have her marked short of 2-1.

From the awkward draw she is likely to settle back in the field before pulled out to make her run in the straight.

Although quite the competitive affair, Ideal Image does look to hold a class edge on her rivals and should prove very hard to beat.

The standout race of the day: The Belmont Newmarket creates plenty of interest with the return of boom sprinter Smoko, however the Alan Matthews trained Cool Trade presents good value at his current quote.

Having only been narrowly beaten first up in the H.G. Bolton Sprint, Cool Trade appears very well placed to go one better on Saturday as he meets a majority of his rivals better at the weights.

Yet to miss the money second up, Cool Trade notably possesses great C&D credentials and has only failed to feel the placings three times in his career.

He has drawn to receive all the favours and if able to hold his form he is clearly the horse to beat using Timeform weight adjusted ratings.

As much as 7-2 was bet early doors about his chances with better than 2-1 still available about his chances.

If priced aggressively we have marked closer to a 6-4 chance and should prove very hard to beat.

BET OF THE DAY (1): Race 5 #10 Ideal Image @ $4.60

BET OF THE DAY (2): Race 3 #5 Cool Trade @ $3.20