Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips to consider at Doncaster, Chester and Newcastle on Saturday. View selections below.
CAMELOT is the headline-catching Triple Crown story in the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster but there is a lively ‘without the favourite’ betting market for punters who don’t want to take short odds about the Ballydoyle star.
With only nine runners going to post, there is the opportunity for ew betting, three places ‘without Camelot’ and fast-improving GUARANTEE (3.40) gets the nod at around 5-1. After Guarantee had ground out a comfortable success in the Melrose Handicap at York, William Haggas wasted no time announcing his intention to aim the Knavesmire winner at the final Classic. As a late-maturing son of Authorized, Guarantee looks likely to be suited by the step up in trip and although this could be the fastest ground he has yet encountered in his four-race career (2111), conditions on Town Moor shouldn’t be too slick, despite a dry forecast.
On the support card, FATTSOTA (5.20) enjoyed the run of the race out in front at Ascot in late July when beating Cill Rialaig and subsequent Ebor winner Willing Foe. A 5lb rise may not be enough to stop a follow-up victory, especially given Fattsota’s rising profile.
At Chester, ubiquitous owner Dr Marwan Koukash is always worth following at his favourite track and LADY LAYLA (4.30) can gain reward for some consistent recent runs. The filly has twice been runner-up at Wolverhampton and has drawn the plum inside box here. The Bryan Smart-trained three-year-old struck peak form at this time last season, scoring at York and Ayr.
BADEA (5.05) also sports the Koukash colours and is worth an each-way investment in a tough handicap. Richard Fahey drops him down in trip and applies cheekpieces for the colt’s first run since finishing third at Southwell in mid-July. Badea is still a maiden after eight starts but his fourth to Cardinal Walter at Haydock in June has been well advertised in recent weeks.
Luca Cumani despatches TWELVE STRINGS (4.55) up the M1 to Newcastle and the gelding has been knocking at the door. A repeat of his close-up third to Enery and Novirak (winner on Thursday) last time out would make Twelve Strings hard to beat. He often takes a bit of stoking up, so Newcastle’s long straight should bring out the best in him.
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Alan
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