Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Newcastle and Newmarket on Saturday. View selections below.
Back a winner at 4/1 or more and get a risk free bet up to £50, with bet365’s ITV 4/1 Offer
RAINBOW DREAMER (3.35) looks a stonking each-way bet in the Betfair Northumberland Plate at Newcastle.
With most firms offering each-way terms five places (Paddy Power six), Rainbow Warrior can continue Alan King’s golden run of form with his staying handicappers. Coeur de Lion, Scarlet Dragon and Who Dares Wins all collected at Royal Ascot, while well-backed Midnights Legacy scored at Haydock on Wednesday.
Rainbow Warrior faces 19 rivals under Hollie Doyle but a repeat of his course and distance fourth to Nayef Road in the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes three weeks ago will make him hard to knock out of the frame. Nayef Road made much of the running before being swamped by Stradivarius in the Ascot Gold Cup and Rainbow Dreamer was meeting Nayef Road on level weights at Newcastle.
Australis looked a dour stayer when getting the better of Caravan Of Hope over 1m 6f at Wolverhampton and is relatively unexposed, while course winners Carnwennan and Smart Champion have obvious chances.
The Group 3 Chipchase Stakes over six furlongs can fall to MUBAKKER (1.50), a sprinter on the upgrade judged on his easy course and distance success 25 days ago.
He had almost three lengths to spare at the line and can take this rise in class in his stride. Oxted had Brando behind when scooping the Abernant Stakes at Newmarket and should be in the firing line along with Judicial, a close second to Far Above at HQ earlier in the month. Major Jumbo is another worth considering.
ALOE VERA (3.00) is on a hat-trick for Ralph Beckett and should mop up the 1m 2f Group 3 for fillies and mares. She has a 401-day absence to overcome but this looks the ideal launch-pad to another successful season.
At Newmarket, LIMATO (2.40) bids to follow-up last year’s thrilling victory in the Criterion Stakes. Henry Candy’s popular gelding shouldered a 5lb penalty that day but now meets his rivals on level terms. Limato ended his campaign with a fine second to Mustashry in a Group 2 here in October and has a terrific record at the track.
Local trainer Charlie Appleby mounts his usual strong challenge and Mubtasim scored over course and distance last April before going off on his travels to Saudi Arabia and Dubai.
Appleby has found a golden opportunity for VOLKAN STAR (3.15) in the 1m 2f Listed contest. His gelding chased home Mishrift over course and distance three weeks ago and Volkan Star’s proven stamina can prove decisive against chief rival Thunderous, unbeaten in three starts over seven furlongs for Mark Johnston.
Compare horse racing odds and bet at the best prices
Tally Ho
Alan
To compare the odds on all today’s horse racing, click here
NB. All odds shown are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.
