Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Doncaster, Chester & Newbury on Saturday. View selections below.
SOFT FALLING RAIN (3.15) parades his considerable talents on British soil for the first time and can extend his exceptional unbeaten sequence to eight in the feature Betfred Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.
Mike De Kock’s four-year-old has been given a well-earned rest since scooping the Godolphin Mile at Meydan in March and should take this step down to seven furlongs in his stride. If the ground came up testing, Gregorian would need to enter calculations, despite some hard races in top company this summer.
Betfred also sponsor a superb renewal of the 1m 5f Geoffrey Freer Stakes with Aiken, Royal Empire and Lost In The Moment likely to feature near the front of the market. Probably at slightly bigger odds, BIOGRAPHER (2.40) has a big each-way chance. David Lanigan’s four-year-old travelled up strongly out wide in the Coral Marathon at Sandown but couldn’t quite master Caucus (pair clear). This slightly shorter trip should suit him better and any rain would be to his advantage.
At Chester, IPTISAM (4.20) can make it third time lucky after two second-prizes in both career starts to date. James Tate’s charge takes on a field of three-year-olds in this seven-furlong handicap, but the younger brigade aren’t great shakes and a repeat of Iptisam’s last run at Thirsk, when chasing home a progressive filly trained by Lady Cecil, gives him a big chance.
TENHOO (5.25) has been in consistent form and a recent victory over Zenafire at Haydock has been well advertised, with the runner-up winning two smart handicaps in recent weeks. Tenhoo ran into an improving horse in Hawdyerwheesht at Hamilton last time but remains feasibly treated.
At Doncaster, PORCINI (4.45) can complete his hat-trick over the St Leger trip. The top weight showed great tenacity to beat Into The Wind and Cosimo De Medici at Sandown and a 3lb rise in his mark is negated by the claim of smart apprentice Thomas Brown.
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Tally Ho
Alan
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