Author: Joel Roberts

1m4f (1m4f6y) Betfred Derby (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (No Geldings) (Class 1) (3yo) Not a vintage year – if the trials are anything to go by – but a good betting market as Auguste Rodin and Arrest are easy to take on. Soft ground can’t have been the issue…

1m4f (1m4f6y) Betfred Oaks (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Fillies) (Class 1) (3yo) Savethelastdance looks likely to go off a very short price and a 22l trial win is compelling, but she’s come from nowhere and has clearly surprised connections as she went off 20/1 and unfancied on her first…

5f Betfred Temple Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (3yo+) 1/5 1-4 There’s a good chance DRAMATISED is a class above these. She looked out of the ordinary as a juvenile before losing her way mid season, but returned to form with an excellent 2nd at the Breeders’ Cup. She’s very…

1m Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas (Group 1) (No Geldings) (3yo) The English Guineas form is well represented by the 2nd and 3rd placed Hi Royal and Royal Scotsman, but I’d have a slight stamina doubt about both of them over this stiff mile test. I’m firmly with Aidan O’Brien’s PADDINGTON here at…

1m (Row) Qipco 1000 Guineas Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Class 1) (3yo) I’ve backed Tahiyra for the Arc but a couple of comments from Dermot Weld have raised a red flag here. He said she hasn’t grown from two to three and that she needed this race to…

Auguste Rodin Regally bred and very short in what should be a competitive betting heat, suggesting stable confidence. Shaped more like a Derby type as a juvenile and he’s clearly well suited to a stamina test, so perhaps he’s vulnerable to something speedy or a slowly run race. The one…

1m2f Coolmore Stud Sottsass Irish EBF Mooresbridge Stakes (Group 2) (4yo+) This presents the perfect opportunity for the mare INSINUENDO to beat Luxembourg and ABOVE THE CURVE given she’s got race fitness on side – she won a few weeks ago at this course – and only has the narrowest of margins…

2m (1m7f216y) bet365 Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) Highly competitive with lots of potential winners but I do think the market has undervalued IBERICO LORD at 10/1. He’s been campaigned in decent novice races – falling when well fancied behind Rare Edition and Rubaud at…

2m William Hill Champion Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+) 1/4 1-2 This looks a good opportunity for GENTLEMAN DE MEE to win another Grade 1. He’s fresh having not run since the Dublin Racing Festival and his form in spring time is outstanding. Energumene was brilliant in the Champion Chase but…

7f (Str) Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes (Group 3) (Colts & Geldings) (Class 1) (3yo) Chaldean will obviously be very tough to beat here if running to form, and soft ground is of little concern either, but I backed KNIGHT when he won over this course and…