Next season’s 2,000 Guineas favourite Too Darn Hot attempting to keep his unbeaten record in Saturday’s Dewhurt Stakes (15.00) at Newmarket, potentially cementing his status as this year’s leading two year old.
There aren’t many negatives about John Gosden’s favourite, though he does face by far his stiffest opposition to date. Ballydoyle’s Anthony Van Dyck looks the main danger ahead of Sangarius and Advertise. Paddy’s money back as a free bet on all losers in the Dehurst Stakes if Too Darn Hot wins.
The big betting race of the day – and one of the biggest handicaps of the Flat season – is the 33-runner Cesarewitch handicap over 2m 2f at 15.40.
There’s been plenty of support for Irish challenger Southern France here who looks a very well-treated Group horse running in a handicap. He ran a massive race race in the St Leger behind two top horses in Kew Gardens and Lah Ti Dar and looks like this marathon trip will bring out the very best in him.
He’s had horses like Nelson (beaten 3 lengths in the Arc) and Proschema (second yesterday off a mark of 105) a long way behind him in the St Leger, making him look very well treated here off a mark of 107, particularly when taking weight-for-age into account.
Of the others Vis a Vis would look one of the best handicapped runners in the field after his win at Kempton last time where he beat Just In Time (who reopposes here but is 7lbs worse off). He’s clearly been targeted at this race and looks solid each-way value with Silvestre De Sousa booked.
Willie Mullins’ Low Sun is preferred to his stablemate Stratum and could hit the frame in a race where we’re paying the first 7 places.
It could be a good day for Aidan O’Brien as we’re keen on Sydney Opera House in the opener (13.50) as the 1m 2f Listed contest looks a poor renewal of previous years. Waldstern looking the only danger, and even he needs to improve to get to the favourite’s level.
Favourite backers could follow up in the 14.25 where Andre Fabre’s Persian King could be anything. While his form is hard to weigh up, the opposition isn’t overly strong. Kadar may need give in the ground and although Magna Grecia was impressive on debut at Naas, he’ll need to improve a lot to trouble the fav.
ITV racing will cover three races from York and Alternative Fact (14.05) looks to have everything in his favour with the trip and ground looking ideal. The race is full of more exposed types than he’s been facing and he looks a a bit of value against likely favourite Mountain Angel.
The 6f Listed sprint at 14:40 for two-year-olds is tricky but it might be worth taking a chance on the unexposed Motagally from the Charlie Hills’ yard, who has the potential to be a lot better than these.
Our original fancy in the 15.15 at York is a non-runner so we’ll divert to the jumps action that kicks off the UK National Hunt season at Chepstow. Dancing Oscar represents shrewd connections and has an excellent record when running fresh.
He looks very likely to have been targeted at 2m 3f handicap hurdle at 16.45. where Point Of Principle was another who could out-run his odds at a double-digit price.
Gallop over to PaddyPower.com now for all the latest racing odds