IT’S a marathon weekend on ITV4 for horse racing with nine races on terrestrial TV.
I’m Down Under currently to watch Winx in the Cox Plate 7am Saturday morning (UK time), and remember you can catch her effort on Attheraces in a race featuring Benbatl and Oisin Murphy as well as Ryan Moore on Rostropovich.
They love me down here!
Average day @Melbourne @TheValley @winx_horse. Walked into newsagents to buy a paper – bloke behind the desk laughs and says: “Hey you’re the dickhead!” Then open the paper and I’m a crackpot…surely cobaltpot! Yeeehaaa! ?? pic.twitter.com/0130Q7suNC
— Matt Chapman (@MCYeeehaaa) October 26, 2018
As far as the UK racing is concerned I’ve had a close look at the five Flat races on ITV, with three from Doncaster and two at Newbury.
Let’s start with the three races at Doncaster first where the action kicks off with 6f Listed event at 1.45pm. It’s not going to be easy for DAVE DEXTER under a 3lb penalty, but he’s improving all the time and did well over 6f last time. He loves any cut in the ground and is worth a few quid each-way.
Next at Doncaster is the 3.25pm, a tough handicap over 5f. The in-form CAMACHO CHIEF has been doing really well for Michael Dods and apprentice jockey Paula Muir and will be hard to keep out of the frame. My selection was closing in late on Copper Knight at York last time and can reverse that form. Another each-way bet.
And finally at Doncaster the big one, the Group 1 Futurity over 1m at 4.05pm. Not a great renewal here, and considering MAGNA GRECIA was beaten in a Group 3 last time he’s short enough for a Group 1. However, he’s clearly getting better with every race.
Aidan O’Brien has such a powerful string that the fact he has chosen this colt to run speaks volumes. Lump on.
Over at Newbury there’s a Group 3 over 1m 4f at 2.20pm. YOUNG RASCAL may well need a longer trip in the future, but so does main rival Weekender. My main hope was disappointing in the Derby, but bounced back to win at this track last time and will come on bundles for that.
The second race ITV are showing from Newbury is the Group 3 over 7f at 2.50pm. I was at Yarmouth when AZANO scooted home last time and connections are very hopeful he is useful. They should know as they once owned Oaks heroine, Dancing Rain.
Things went wrong on debut but Azano was allowed to bowl along last time and did it really well. He’s promising in an open heat for Johnny G.
So best of luck and hope for more Yeeehaaas.
You hear me Paddy?
*Prices correct at time of publishing on Friday.
Gallop over to PaddyPower.com now for all the latest racing odds