Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up six tips for Saturday from Doncaster and Newbury. View selections below
CAMELOT (3.00) is a strong fancy to give Aidan O’Brien his sixth Racing Post Trophy scalp after previously saddling Saratoga Springs, Aristotle, High Chaparral, Brian Boru and Sir Nicholas Abbey to lift the Doncaster end-of-season Group 1. Camelot made a big splash on his debut at Leopardstown, landing odds of 1-3 in striking fashion, with the promise of better to come. Son Joseph retains the ride on the Montjeu colt and they should have the measure of Fencing and Encke in a small, but select, six-horse line-up.
The 1m 4f handicap has split into two divisions and Sir Michael Stoute’s DIRECT ANSWER (1.30) may hold all the aces in the opener, despite drawing the widest stall in 18. He landed some tasty bets on his seasonal bow at Folkestone in August, only to be then turned over at Kempton in a competitive affair won by Spensley. Direct Answer hunted up Colour Scheme over an extended 10 furlongs at Yarmouth 12 days ago and this longer trip may help him resume winning ways.
The second division doesn’t appear quite so strong and a chance is taken on SUHAILI (4.10) rediscovering the winning thread. He won his maiden at Haydock in May but hasn’t been seen for more than three months after flopping on a return visit to the Lancashire track. Clearly there was something amiss that day and, on only his fifth career start, Suhaili can cap a fine first season for Roger Varian.
There are two tricky Group 3 contests on offer at Newbury and Richard Hannon saddles three juveniles in the Horris Hill Stakes. The pick could well be ultra-consistent TELL DAD (2.15), who has returned form figures of 1212 on his last four starts. Tell Dad didn’t enjoy the clearest of runs when chasing home smart stablemate Coupe De Ville in the Tattersalls Millions at Newmarket and Eddie Ahern takes the mount this time.
MOHEDIAN LADY (2.45) smashed the course record at HQ when winning an all-age Listed event for Luca Cumani, Kieren Fallon striking for home some way out. The Hurricane Run filly is clearly most effective on fast ground, so any significant rain may be a negative.
The concluding lady amateur riders’ event wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea but STORMY MORNING (5.30) is worth a small investment. Despite some uninspiring form figures against his name, Stormy Morning was backed into favouritism at Catterick last time. Although no match for the enterprisingly ridden Vittachi, it was an improved effort in finishing second and Pat Eddery has booked Lucy Horner for a recovery mission.
Tally Ho
Alan
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