Six of the best Friday evening punts from At The Races presenter Jason Weaver
Pints on the shark if a few of these oblige...
The Epsom Oaks looks wide open this afternoon but I’ll swerve the fav Minding as she looked very light and lean when she was beaten at the Curragh. I just wonder how she will manage to bounce back just 12 days later.
I like Turret Rocks who looks to have a decent each-way shout. She ran well at Newmarket to finish sixth to Minding after a very messy start, should stay well and is trained by a master handler in Jim Bolger.
I’m going to stick with Classic form and 2,000 Guineas runner-up Massaat in the Epsom Derby as that looks to be the strongest form on show. I’m hoping it dries up a bit for him but if it doesn’t you could get the likes of Dermot Weld’s Harzand and David Simcock’s Algometer causing an upset as they look the strongest stayers.
Archimedes, Bath 6.30pm
This €240k yearling has been a very expensive failure so far. He was punted off the boards on his first two starts and then won his Maiden here over course and distance. He was in against the big boys at Ascot but has now been switched across to the sprint kings’ stable of Robert Cowell and we can expect him to now prove much better than his rating of 72.
He gets the weight for age allowance and this could be the time to get stuck in.
Gallop over to all the latest racing betting on PP.com
Dancing Star, Goodwood, 7.50pm
Did well to win on her return at Salisbury on her handicap debut. She was very keen early on and has now run well on all types of ground so there’s no need for a weather watch. Was only raised 5lbs for her last win where her owner said they’d aim for ‘black type one day’. A mark of 80 is just a stepping stone.
Alsvinder, Doncaster, 8.10pm
David O’Meara’s runner was beaten at 1/2 fav on debut but then came out and won on the new all weather track at Newcastle over 5f quite tidily. He has been given a mark of 85 and a look at his pedigree tells us he could make up into a group race sprinter in time. Let’s take advantage now.
Mithqaal, Doncaster 8.40pm
In a big field of exposed handicappers he shines brightly as just about the only likely improver in the race.
He ran well on handicap debut at Lingfield and there was money for him which tells us this mark is workable. He was given too much to do on his latest start and all he needs is a strong pace to run at. He should get that in this 20-runner field.
Delve, Goodwood, 8.50pm
Sir Michael Stoute’s filly can give us a winning end to the day although she won’t be much of a price. Was a head off Summer Icon at Newmarket as both pulled six lengths clear of the others. That experience will of put her right in the zone for tonight.
Expect her to front run and gallop them into submission.
Final Choice, Bath, 9pm
The Queen’s runner should have won on her handickap debut last time out but fell out of the gates and did remarkably well to finish a close-up fourth. Tonight’s track will suit better as it won’t be the end of the world if he’s held up around here for a late run with the climb to the line.
Amazingly he’s been kept on the same mark as his last run and the winner’s enclosure beckons.