Author: Joel Roberts

19:40: 5f Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (Grade 1) (3yo+) (Turf) (3yo+) My rule of thumb is to always back Americans in International Group One sprints, particularly those raced in America. The style of racing and the firm ground is so different to Europe and I’m happy to put a line through…

Del Mar, southern California, hosts America’s seasonal championships this weekend. Expect fast ground, strong gallops and a record turnout for international raiders. 23:10: 1m Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (Grade 1) (2yo Fillies) (Turf) (2yo) The Europeans have a poor record in this race – and this year’s raiding party isn’t…

1m2f  (1m1f212y) Qipco Champion Stakes (British Champions Middle Distance) (Group 1)  (Class 1) (3yo+) Adayar and Sealiway, 4th and 5th in the Arc two weeks ago, make quick turnarounds and drop in trip. Both ran big races at Longchamp, with the former looking the winner turning for home before tiring in bad ground and…

1m (Str) Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored By Qipco) (Group 1) (British Champions Mile) (Class 1) (3yo+) Palace Pier is the right favourite as he’s consistently shown the best form over two seasons. I’d have him over Baaeed, who is still all potential and needs to drift to be a bet – albeit not…

1m2f  (Row) Godolphin Flying Start Zetland Stakes (Group 3)  (Class 1) (2yo) GOLDSPUR might just be the value at 5/1 given he refused to race last time out when odds-on for a race at Epsom. He bolted up on debut and remains full of potential. I don’t like the favourite in this race at…

1m (Row) bet365 Fillies’ Mile (Group 1) (Class 1) (2yo) Inspiral is all the rage for this after facile wins in her three starts to date, and there aren’t really any negatives besides price and the fact that she’s up against improving fillies. There’s a nice shape to this market if you want to…

1m4f  Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Group 1) (3yo+ No Geldings) (Grande Course) (Turf)  (3yo+) Adayar‘s defeat of Mishriff in the King George is the standout form going into Sunday’s Arc, backing up his impressive Derby win to confirm him a serious Group One animal. He has stronger claims than the…

1m2f  Prix de l’Opera Longines (Group 1) (3yo+ Fillies & Mares) (Grande Course) (Turf)  (3yo+) GRAND GLORY and Frankie Dettori look the value at 10/1 to land the Opera given the mare beat race favourite Audarya fair and square last time out and is several times the price. Grand Glory has form…

1m Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac – Criterium des Pouliches (Group 1) (2yo Fillies) (Grande Course) (Turf) (2yo) Raclette is spoken of in glowing terms by trainer Andre Fabre, but with the alarm bells already sounding over the state of the ground, I’m all over her stablemate ZELLIE for this race. With form…

1m2f  (1m1f165y) Qatar Prix Dollar (Group 2) (3yo+) (Grande Course) (Turf)  (3yo+) SAIYDABAD has strong claims here as an improving three-year-old available at 6/1. If it were to become heavy ground it wouldn’t suit, but I don’t see many in this race that want a bog and the rain isn’t forecast until after…