Former Talksport man Charlie McCann marks your card with seven to follow on Saturday at Goodwood, Doncaster, Thirsk and Newmarket. View selections below
The feature event on the last day of Glorious Goodwood is the Group One Nassau Stakes for fillies over 10 furlongs. Seven of the nine runners represent the classic generation and I think Legatissimo (3.10) can reverse Pretty Polly form with Diamondsandrubies (10/3) given the selection looked an unlucky loser at the Curragh. The selection is 15/8 at BetVictor and that looks a fair price.
The selection had previously won the Guineas and was napped on the line when looking for a second classic success in the Oaks and I think she has most to fear from John Gosden’s French Oaks winner Star Of Seville (15/2) who put behind a disappointing performance at Epsom to run out a ready winner at Chantilly.
Newmarket handler Gosden has trained the winner of this contest for the last three years and saddles three this afternoon but Star Of Seville (15/2) looks the main string to his bow.
The big betting race of the day is the Stewards’ Cup and BetVictor are betting ¼ odds five places. The progressive grey Magical Memory (3.45) looked a Group horse when running away with a Newmarket handicap last time but is bidding to become the first 3-year-old since Danetime back in 1997 to win the prize.
Trainer Charlie Hills suggests he is a Group horse in the making and, when you think the Lambourn handler also has 3-year-old sprinters Cotai Glory and July Cup winner Muhaarar in his tutelage, it is fair to say that the trainer has a vintage crop of speedsters this term. Frankie Dettori takes the ride and he is certainly the most likely winner although his draw in stall one is a slight concern.
I might also have a few bob on Discussiontofollow (14/1 at BetVictor) who continues to run as if there is a big race in him and should appreciate the step back in in trip.
This is Champion jockey Richard Hughes’ last day in the saddle and if he is to go out with a bang perhaps Senrima (2.35) can provide it in the 12-furlong handicap for Brian Meehan. A winner of two of his three career starts he might make up into a Cup horse in time but there is plenty of pace in the race and he is certainly open to further improvement.
The ground was considered too soft on the opening day for Jeremy Noseda’s Yeager (6.00) who has the excellent apprentice Edward Greatrex taking off a valuable 5lbs from the top-weight in the finale. The ground was changed to good, good to firm in places, on Friday and there is no further rain forecast; the selection has a good draw in stall six and this nine furlong trip looks ideal.
At Newmarket Khalaas (4.00) looked a horse to follow when scoring on his seasonal reappearance at Newcastle two months ago. The runner up franked the form at Redcar earlier in the week and, although his two-month absence from the track is a concern, he might be well-treated off an opening mark of 82.
At Doncaster Lilian Baylis was an unlikely winner at Pontefract last time given she was under the cosh for most over that stiff 10f and will certainly appreciate the step up to a mile-and-a-half. Marginal preference is for Master Of Speed (2.55) who was gelded before winning his maiden over 10f at Sandown back in June. Roger Varian’s charge was another who gave the distinct impression that stepping up to 12f would bring about further significant improvement.
I can pass on a good word for Van Gerwen (1.50) in the opener at Thirsk. The newcomer has been working well on the gallops but must, of course, transfer his homework to the track but he might be worth an each way interest.
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Be lucky
Charlie
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