All in all, this is a disappointing renewal of the famous race, with only a handful of Group-level wins between them. It’s tough to split the top two in the market, Storm The Stars and Bondi Beach, but the former makes most appeal as he came out on top in…
1Pt EW Lucky Beggar @14/1 Ladbrokes Portland (Handicap) (Class 2), Doncaster 14:35
A highly competitive renewal in a race in which three year olds have generally struggled to make an impression over recent years. Suzi’s Connoisseur finished a close second last week to Majestic Moon and has been threatening to win a big field handicap such as this. He has risen 3lbs…
1pt ew Log Out Island @14/1, Doncaster 13:55
Richard Hannon has a really strong hand of two-year-olds in this five-furlong Group Two, with both runners making appeal. Gutaifan looks the form pick, after an excellent 1 ¾ length second to leading juvenile Shalaa at Deauville. He can also boast the scalp of Gimcrack Stakes winner Ajaya, and a…
1.5pts win Pure Diamond @9/4, 0.5pts win Light Up Our World @10/1, Doncaster 15:40
A tricky race, with Godolphin’s Pure Diamond heading the market after a hugely impressive win on Kempton’s all weather. That was just her second start and, with the promise of more to come, she could be anything. The horse she thrashed into second, Kasseopia, franked the form next time out by winning a maiden by nine…
1Pt Win Pearly Steph @18/1, Sceptre Stakes (Fillies Group 3) DONCASTER 14:30
Freddie Head is a strong handler of fillies and he saddles Pearly Steph in what looks like a wide open Grp 3 race. She has been racing well in Grp 3 / Listed contests in France this season and is completely unexposed over 7f having won over 8f in listed company.…
0.5pts ew Marsh Hawk @40/1, Doncaster 14:30
Richard Hannon’s Marsh Hawk looks good value to outrun her odds in the Group-Three Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes, so is worth a small wager at 40/1 – with bigger prices available on Betfair. She’s not fulfilled the promise of her two-year-old campaign, where she won a couple of nice races, including routing…
1pt win Fontanelice @8/1, Longchamp, 15:40
A chance is taken on Criquette Head-Maarek’s Fontanelice at Longchamp this afternoon. Twice a Group Two winner in Italy, her last three appearances have come at the highest level in the French Classics and Muhaarar’s Prix Maurice De Gheest, so this seven furlong Listed contest represents a significant drop in class. She’s not alone in…
3pts win Fort Del Oro @2/1, Betfred Garrowby Stakes (Listed) (Class 1), York, 15:00
In a weekend where emerging three year old sprinters have trounced older opposition, we may be about to see another episode in the pick of Sunday’s card at York. Sole Power’s trainer, Ed Lynam, travels over to Great Britain with Fort Del Oro making her fourth start for the sprinting…
1pt win Balty Boys @3/1, Superior Mile, Haydock 14:00
Richard Hannon has declared Ivawood a non-runner for the 14:00 at Haydock, presumably due to ground concerns. Also removed is Godolphin’s unexposed Let’s Go, who was feared as the most likely improver, leaving only seven in a weak-looking field for this Group Three. It leaves Balty Boys, a horse we’re really keen…
1pt EW Fox Trotter @12/1, Fly London Southend Airport Handicap (Qualifier For The Balmoral Handicap) (Class 2), Haydock, 14:50
The Balmoral Handicap will be the final instalment on Qipco Champions Day in the middle of October and today on what will arguably be similar conditions, we get a chance to assess some of the potential challengers in this “concisely” named precursor. Windfast enters the race under top weight with…