More quality than quantity this Saturday as we look to Newbury and Newmarket while there’s Classic action at the Curragh with the Irish Oaks.
G M Hopkins, Newbury, 3pm
Been a solid servant down the years and has bagged a Listed event already on his return this year. Although not the best treated by the race conditions he’s by far and away the most consistent here. Scottish is a short-priced fav and was keen early on his return on his first try for the Boys in Blue. The fav should tee it up nicely for the selection to pounce late at a nice price.
Miracle of Medinah, Newmarket, 3.15pm
It’s been a long time between drinks in the winners enclosure for Mark Usher’s charge who is now looking very well handicapped off 93. A close look at his two runs this year makes it surprising that the assesor has dropped him 4lbs.
He ran a cracker in the Victoria Cup at 66/1 over 7f & his Chester effort was ok given there was no gallop. The straight mile is perfect and Dane Oneill is flying after his return from injury.
Gallop over to all the latest betting on PP.com
Charming Thought, Newbury, 3.35pm
I cannot believe Charlie Appleby’s runner doesn’t look like he won’t start favourite. The class of this line up by some way below what he’s won against. Came back off a huge lay-off to run an eye-catching race at Salisbury. He was rusty early on and was only hitting top gear when it was all over.
He’s not been rushed and should be spot on for this. The stable is hot right now.
Shall We, Newmarket, 3.50pm
Sir Michael Stoute’s filly has a lovely improver’s profile. Given her races on turf to date have been with lots of ease in the ground, the hope of good or better at HQ gives us hope she will step up considerably on her form so far. She loves to front run so the Newmarket trainer has booked a pilot with a clock in his head, old ‘tick tock ‘ Joe Fanning.
Lady in Question, Newbury, 4.10pm
There are some runners in here with better form in the book but the selection is much better than her opening win at Thirsk on debut showed.
She was slowly away on a front runners’ sprint track and did remarkably well to get back into the race. Richard Fahey’s filly made up a huge amount of ground into the quickest part of the contest anhd more importantly quickened for a second time to take a gap late on.
Not many quicken twice in a race. The trainer has seven in here but Paul Hanagan rides the selection.
That’s it. Let’s hope one hits the bullseye at least because there a couple at fair prices.