Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Sandown and Haydock on Saturday. View selections below.
Back a winner at 4/1 or more and get a risk free bet up to £50, with bet365’s ITV 4/1 Offer
BARNEY ROY (3.35) showed a smart turn of foot at Royal Ascot and that burst of speed could prove a deadly weapon in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.
The Godolphin colt was arguably unlucky not to land the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, his only career defeat, before exacting his revenge on Churchill et al in the St James’s Palace Stakes.
Stall four is ideal and James Doyle should be able to slot in. The current good to firm ground is also perfect and, as long as no thunderstorms strike Esher, all is set fair for a big, big run.
Of course, Barney Roy’s stamina has to be taken on trust over this extra yardage but he hasn’t looked like a short runner over a mile.
Cliffs Of Moher looked all over the winner of the Investec Derby when striking the front a furlong out, only to be mugged by Wings Of Desire, and the consensus is that this shorter trip will play to his strengths.
Stall one could prove problematical if Ryan Moore finds himself locked away on the rails turning for home as it won’t be easy making up lost ground on these class acts.
Eminent has only a length to find with Cliffs Of Moher on their Epsom form and the son of Frankel adds plenty of lustre to the line-up.
Ulysses hasn’t quite hit the heights as expected but may not have fully stayed 1m 4f in the Prince Of Wales Stakes when outbattled by Highland Reel. This tough track over 10 furlongs is ideal and he should emerge best of the older division ahead of solid yardstick Decorated Knight.
GEORGE WILLIAM (2.25) certainly deserves a change of fortune and looks a solid each-way option in the 17-runner Coral Challenge.
He was drawn on the wrong side in the Royal Hunt Cup and previously failed to gain clear runs in both the Newbury Spring Cup and Ascot’s Victoria Cup. George William still finished on the heels of the principals in both hot contests and stall six is just dandy.
Naval Warfare, on a hat-trick for Andrew Balding, was my initial pick earlier in the week but stall 17 is a proper stinker.
El Hayem and Master The World are two other possible players at decent odds.
ORIENTAL FOX (4.10) can surprise a few better fancied rivals in the 2m Coral Marathon.
Mark Johnston previous Cesarewitch winner mowed down Thomas Hobson in the 2m 6f Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot and this admirable stayer is well at home on a slick surface.
At Haydock, 17 runners are declared for the Bet365 Old Newton Cup, one of the most fiercely contested middle-distance handicaps on the calendar, and SHRAAOH (3.15) can atone for an underwhelming fourth at Epsom’s Derby fixture.
Sir Michael Stoute’s gelding was returning from a 287-day absence and never really looked like justifying the market support which saw him sent off the 5-4 favourite.
Andrea Atzeni should be able to utilise a lovely perch in stall seven and Shraaoh will be on the premises if able to reproduce his form of 12 months ago at Glorious Goodwood when beaten a short head by Dal Harraild.
The other big race is the Bet365 Lancashire Oaks, with Stoute saddling hot favourite Abingdon, a 10-length victor at Pontefract, plus Haydock runner-up Dubka.
If all eight go to post there is a perfect opening for some serious each-way action at bigger prices and HERTFORD DANCER (2.40) could strike a blow for the Classic generation.
The Lingfield Oaks Trial winner outran her 16-1 odds in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot, leading over a furlong out before being swallowed up close home by Coronet and Mori.
John Gosden has a terrific record in the race and is going for an all-time best seventh success.
The maestro also saddles The Black Princess with very solid claims, the filly having finished just a length behind Ajman Princess in last year’s Ribblesdale. She had to make her own running in a muddling four-runner renewal of the Middleton Stakes at York, just failing to hold off Blond Me, and will be better served by a stronger pace here.
Ajman Princess is another one for the shortlist after being bogged down on last month’s visit to Haydock when only third to Bateel and Dubka. It looks a cracker of a renewal.
Compare horse racing odds and bet at the best prices
Tally Ho
Alan
To compare the odds on all today’s horse racing, click here
