Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Newmarket and Goodwood on Saturday. View selections below.
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ADVERTISE (3.35) has stamina to prove in the Qipco 2000 Guineas but his proven Newmarket course form can give him a vital edge under Frankie Dettori.
Martyn Meade’s colt chased home Too Darn Hot in the Dewhurst Stakes over seven furlongs in October, comfortably holding a useful yardstick in Aidan O’Brien’s Anthony Van Dyck in third. Advertise won a Group 2 contest at HQ on good to firm in July and justified favouritism at the Curragh the following month.
O’Brien’s Magna Grecia ended the season a high with victory in the Vertem Futurity Stakes at Doncaster on good to soft and he might not want the ground too lively. Another Irish raider, Madhmoon, will be straighter for his comeback second at Leopardstown on unsuitably soft going and his earlier victory over Broome in September entitles him to plenty of respect. Stall one means he will need to find some cover from such an exposed starting point.
Craven Stakes form is well represented, with Skardu looking to confirm superiority over Momkin, Set Piece and Royal Marine. Godolphin put the hood on Royal Marine for the big occasion and this could have the desired effect.
O’Brien’s SERGEI PROKOFIEV (2.20) will be hard to beat in the Group 3 Palace House Stakes if replicating the form of his course victory in the Cornwallis Stakes in October on good to firm. Mabs Cross has been a brilliant mare for Michael Dods but the mare has to concede weight all round.
DEFOE (2.55) is bidding to repeat last year’s emphatic success in the Jockey Club Stakes when he had almost four lengths in hand of runner-up Red Verdon. Defoe and Young Rascal both underperformed on their return at Newbury on sticky ground but should strip a bit sharper. Dettori has enjoyed a fruitful partnership with John Gosden’s Coronet, winner of the 2017 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot and successful last year in the Group 2 Middleton Stakes at York’s Dante’s fixture. She is a real threat.
In the opening Class 2 handicap it will come as a surprise if POWER OF DARKNESS (1.50) is not involved in the finish. Hayley Turner brought him through with a sustained challenge here last month but couldn’t quite master useful Beringer. Marcus Tregoning won’t be overly fazed by a 2lb rise.
At Goodwood, THREE SAINTS BAY (2.40) could well defy an 8lb rise for his very easy win at Musselburgh last month. David O’Meara has his string in good nick and Three Saints Bay wins the vote over Sir Michael Stoute’s Qaroun.
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Tally Ho
Alan
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