Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Newbury and Newmarket 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
RHODODENDRON (3.40) can strike for the fairer sex in a competitive renewal of the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.
The only filly in this traditionally revealing Group 1, Rhododendron will find this mile trip her bare minimum but there should be a strong end-to-end gallop to help her cause.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained four-year-old performed well in her Classic season, running second to stablemate Winter in the Qipco 1000 Guineas and occupying the same position behind Enable in the Investec Oaks. Her recent fourth to Cracksman in the Group 1 Ganay Stakes at Longchamp should have put her spot-on for today and in receipt of 3lb all round, she should be in the firing line under Ryan Moore.
Classy Limato has the quick ground he craves but gallops into unchartered territory over a mile.
CHIEF IRONSIDE (3.00) looks an outstanding each-way bet in the London Gold Cup Handicap.
Willie Jarvis appears to have a most progressive colt on his hands judged on Chief Ironside’s demolition job at Chester last week, kicking clear off the home bend and never looking likely to be caught.
The opening 6f Listed contest can fall to EQTIDAAR (1.50), runner-up to the rock-solid Invincible Army in a Group 3 at Ascot earlier this month.
The ground was riding soft that day and there was cut underfoot when Eqtidaar won his maiden at Nottingham last season, so this faster surface is something of an imponderable. I’m sure Sir Michael Stoute wouldn’t risk his colt unless he felt conditions were okay.
At Newmarket, 14 runners go to post for the Betway Handicap over six furlongs and top weight YAFTA (3.15) is the each-way suggestion.
The assessor has put him up 4lb for finishing second to Godolphin’s impressive Tribal Quest, which seems a bit harsh. However, that was a competitive affair and Richard Hannon’s colt had won his two previous races in the manner of an improving individual.
In the opening apprentices’ handicap at Doncaster, SWANSWAY (5.50) is one of only a handful of the runners to prefer the prevailing fast ground.
Mick Easterby’s gelding ran previous winner Stonific very close at Thirsk last Saturday over this evening’s 1m 4f trip (good to firm) and young Harrison Shaw has ridden Swansway several times in the past.
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
NB. All odds shown are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.
