Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, picks six to follow on Saturday at Haydock, York and Chester. Selections
Hungarian speedball Overdose is fancied by many experts to turn Saturday’s Betfred-sponsored Temple Stakes into a victory procession and the bookmakers are taking no chances, marking him up around 2-1 favourite. His presence certainly adds much more than mere novelty value to the race but there is reason to be cautious.
Overdose often plays up at the start and his very best form has come with juice in the ground. Haydock’s new sprint track rides pretty slick, faster than the outer course, and the one to be on at a double-figure price could be TANGERINE TREES (3.00). My each-way selection keeps running above market expectations and his latest victory in the Palace House Stakes was another sterling effort. He might not see which way Overdose goes, but it is worth taking that risk at around 10-1.
Mark Johnston’s three-year-olds are starting to click into top gear and GREYFRIARS DRUMMER (2.00) is fancied to win a competitive opener. He ran his rivals ragged at Pontefract on quick ground last time and is taken to avenge a short head defeat by Cry Fury at Kempton last month.
There is some top action at York where CRACKING LASS (3.10) can take full adcvantage of her fillies’ allowance in the tricky 1m 6f Listed event. She had Times Up (off colour) well behind at Doncaster before coming from an unpromising position to finish runner-up to Red Cadeaux in the Braveheart Stakes at Hamilton last Friday evening. Cracking Lass wouldn’t mind a bit of rain but should still be bang in the firing line coming down the Knavesmire straight.
The ultra-competitive Sportingbet.com Sprint offers a winning opportunity to JOHANNES (3.40). Richard Fahey’s old campaigner could never recover from a tardy start when finishing in midfield behind Ancient Cross at the Dante meeting but enjoys a massive 11lb pull (taking Lee Topliss’ 5lb claim into account) with the winner.
At Chester, DAZZLING LIGHT (4.35) can repeat last year’s success in the 1m 5f handicap. She is only a pound higher and it can pay to put a line through her last run at York when pulling her way to the front and running far too free for her own good. Jack Mitchell takes over from apprentice and, hopefully, he can anchor Jim Goldie’s mare in the early stages before making a late thrust for the line.
Fellow Scottish raider FREQUENCY (1.50) is well drawn in the opener and ran a cracker here at the May meeting.
It’s the Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh on Sunday and TOGETHER (4.15) can go one better than in the Newmarket equivalent when mugged close home by Frankie Dettori on Blue Bunting.
Tally Ho
Alan
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