Horse Racing: Racing guru Alan Thomson takes a good look at some of Saturday’s racing and picks out some fancies at Kempton, Haydock and Thirsk, including the Betfred Old Borough Cup.
JOHN GOSDEN has always had the final of the totesport-sponsored London Mile series at Kempton Park as a late-summer target for CLOCKMAKER (3.20) and the top weight should make a bold show on Saturday. Frankie Dettori was on board for the first time when Clockmaker mopped up his qualifier by three lengths from Red Somerset and the Italian ace again gets the leg-up.
Later on the card, THE STARBOARD BOW (4.20) can take a further step up in trip in his stride. My selection battled on gallantly to beat Bramalea in the Salisbury mud and a 4lb rise isn’t harsh. The merit of his earlier third behind Epic and Grams and Ounces has been well advertised in the last few weeks by both those horses.
There is a terrific afternoon in prospect at Haydock and the Betfred Old Borough Cup has attracted a maximum field of staying handicappers. WOOLFALL TREASURE (3.05) could prove rich pickings for punters after chasing home a progressive sort in Bernie The Bolt at Ascot. The Haydock track was officially described as good to soft in midweek but should have dried out sufficiently for Woolfall Treasure to put his best foot forward, as he prefers a sound surface.
At Thirsk, the Hambleton Cup looks tailor-made for Mark Johnston’s GREEN LIGHTNING (2.55). The Montjeu colt beat the useful Harris Tweed at Newmarket in May but was off the track until York’s Ebor meeting when he ran sixth to Mount Athos in the Melrose Handicap.
There is nothing of that calibre in opposition here.
Tally Ho
Alan
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