The racing action comes thick and fast on Saturday with the ITV cameras at Goodwood, York & Haydock. There’s lots of races for us to get stuck into, so no excuses!
We kick off at Goodwood with the 1m 2f Listed Race at 2pm and Mount Logan really caught the eye last season when winning at Doncaster over this trip. I’ll take the fact that Roger Varian has kept him in training as a five-year-old to be a positive.
Later on the card there’s a three-year-old handicap over 7f at 3.10pm. I like these races as you can find one that has improved physically more than some of the opposition. At the prices I really like John Gosden’s runner Hyde Park who won very nicely at Doncaster at the back end of last season.
The draw is the slight worry and I am relying on Josephine Gordon getting over from stall 10. The Godolphin runner Top Score was seventh in the 2,000 Guineas behind Churchill and could be a good each-way bet despite lumping top weight.
Gallop over to all the latest odds on PaddyPower.com
A lot of the results at Haydock will depend on whether the forecast rain arrives. The ground is currently good to firm so watch the skies on Saturday.
The two-mile handicap at 2.20pm has a few National Hunt horses in it, but I am going with Yorkidding for Mark Johnston to get his head in front after some good placed efforts.
The race that follows at Haydock 2.55pm is the Silver Bowl over a mile. Roger Charlton’s Maths Prize was gelded over the winter and finished fifth of sixth to Shutter Speed over 10f at Newbury on his seasonal debut. That one won again at York and the drop back in trip to 1m should suit.
Market springer
The Group 2 Temple Stakes at 4.05pm is the feature race of the day and will revolve around Karl Burke’s Quiet Reflection.
If the rain arrives she could be a springer in the market and I’d be tempted to back her anyway as she’s a dual winner at the track, including the Group 1 Sprint Cup Stakes last September. She proved she can handle quick ground as she was third to Limato in the July Cup. Her form is strong.
Goldream finished third to Marsha on debut at Newmarket (where Washington DC was second) over this minimum trip and ranks a good each-way bet.
Harry Angel is a warm order for Clive Cox and Adam Kirby in the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes at 3.30pm. He had a decent comeback run and will strip fitter on Saturday.
There’s two races from the Knavesmire as York hosts the Listed 1m 5f Cup Stakes at 2.40pm.
Clever Cookie is back for more, eight days after running in the Yorkshire Cup. He should improve on that but Godolphin’s regally-bred Frontiersman will be hard to beat.
The 5f Sprint Stakes at 3.50pm can see Out Do for local trainer David O’Meara get his head in front from a pretty safe draw in stall six. Love on The Rocks for Charlie Hills and Paul Hanagan can also hit the frame.
I’ll be at the Curragh for the Irish 2,000 Guineas where it is impossible to look past the favourite and Newmarket 2,000 Guineas winner Churchill. Christophe Soumillon keeps the faith with Thunder Snow who looks too big a price. A small bet as an alternative to the long odds on fav could be a value play.
Good luck!