Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Sandown and York on Saturday. View selections below.
ABUNDANTLY (5.05) is worth waiting for in the finale at Sandown on a busy summer Saturday. My best advice is to keep a reserve tank for Hughie Morrison’s stayer, who is on a recovery mission after a short head defeat at Chepstow last month when sent off a warm favourite.
On reflection, it was a meritorious effort as the winner, Jupiter Storm, has since hacked up by eight lengths from a fair yardstick in Saint Helena at Windsor. Abundantly didn’t appear entirely at home on the firm ground at the Welsh track and underfoot conditions at Sandown will be more agreeable. The booking of Ryan Moore is another confidence booster and, hopefully, we can collect the Royal Ascot expenses.
STABLEFORD (1.50) can kick off a profitable day, with Jimmy Fortune donning the famous Sangster silks. He was a 33-1 ‘rag’ on his debut at Doncaster but really caught the eye when flashing home into second behind well-touted Matroosh. The winner was made favourite for a handicap on his return to Town Moor but ruined his chance with a slow start. Stableford was despatched to Yarmouth by Brian Meehan and duly sluiced in at prohibitive odds of 5-4 fav. Stableford has the worst of the draw in this 1m 1f Betfair-sponsored handicap but looks up to the task.
At York, the opening Queen Mother’s Cup over 1m 4f is often referred to as the Ladies’ Derby and last year’s winner CRACKENTORP (2.05) should be in the shake-up. This represents a drop in class after his eighth place, beaten less than 10 lengths, behind highly-regarded Sir John Hawkwood over course and distance at the Dante meeting in May. Crackentorp races off the same rating, with the same rider, and has almost certainly been prepared for a repeat victory.
WESTWITHTHENIGHT (2.40) was one of the easiest winners in many a year when strolling home at Doncaster in April but then found trouble in running a fortnight later when second to Gifted Girl at Ascot. The winner came out at Epsom on Oaks day and ran a cracker behind useful Thistle Bird. Richard Hughes does the steering in this one mile Class 2 handicap.
The champion jockey is a rare booking by Keith Dalgleish for ACT YOUR SHOE SIZE (4.20). The filly has gradually run back into form after a spell in the doldrums and she fought on gallantly to give unbeaten Regal Hawk a real scare at Carlisle on ground that was faster than ideal. Stall 17 is hardly ideal but Act Your Shoe Size likes to race prominently and Hughes will be keen to go forward quickly from the stalls to secure a prominent position before the home turn.
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Tally Ho
Alan
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