Having already posted my views and money to the mast and backed Logician at 14/1 before he ran at Newbury, you would think that my Doncaster St Leger book would be done and dusted.
But currently trading at even-money, now is the time to have an each-way saver against him especially as there are the dead eight set to line-up in the final British Classic of the season on Saturday at Doncaster (15.35).
Despite being beaten by both Nayef Road and Sir Dragonet this season, I wouldn’t put anyone off the strong staying Technician, while bits and pieces of form give Dashing Willoughby a chance of hitting the frame.
However, with that pair better suited by some give in the ground, if you are going to oppose the market leader then I couldn’t put any of you off IL PARADISO following his cracking run behind Stradivarius in the Lonsdale Cup at York.
That career best run puts him within 5lbs of the two market leaders here and although they could also take another step forward over this galloping 1m 6f, I suspect that this son of Galileo will also progress again.
Of course I will be more than satisfied if Logician wins, but with his stamina set to be tested to the full here, if as I expect Padraig Beggy pushes on from some way out, this will be no walk over for the favourite.
Scoot over to PaddyPower.com now for all the latest racing oddsThe Portland Handicap at Doncaster (13.50) has always been a favourite betting medium of mine and Biesla is an intriguing favourite being a lightly raced four-year-old son of Invincible Spirit.
He really is a very hard horse to pin down as he seemingly just does enough in his races and a mere 6lbs penalty for his success at Thirsk may well underestimate his latent talent.
Still, at a single figure price, in what is usually a pretty rough race, he could be well worth opposing with something a deal more street wise and course and distance winner, JUSTANOTHERBOTTLE, could be the call.
Third in this race in 2017, his last three wins have come off ratings of 91, 97 and 95, but he has also been placed off a mighty 101 so his chance is there for all to see here off 99 with the added bonus of Mr Dettori in the plate.
The five-year-old just gets the nod over Embour. Richard Hannon has his team firing on all cylinders and I thought this four-year-old ran an eye-catching 11th in the Stewards Cup before two further good efforts back at Goodwood and last time out at Sandown Park.
If Pat Dobbs can keep him covered up for as long as possible and unleash him inside the final furlong his rapid turn of foot could prove lethal at the sharp end and he is well worth a back-up wager.
Scoot over to PaddyPower.com now for all the latest racing oddsI have been waiting for EMINENT AUTHORITY to drop back to 1m 4f since the beginning of Summer and following two runs over further in Group company, he gets his chance in the big 1m 4f handicap at Leopardsown on Saturday (14.30).
His run in the Listed King George V Cup over course and distance in June behind Rakan and Barbados points to his chance here, off a handicap rating of 98. I will be hugely surprised and indeed disappointed if the three-year-old son of Frankel cannot make his mark in this contest.
The question is why has ELARQAM been supplemented for the Irish Champion Stakes (16.15) when Hamdam Al Maktoum already has the Epsom Derby runner-up Madhmoon entered up? Well the answer is two-fold, First of all his career best third in the Juddmonte International at York and secondly, the four-year-old has been working the house down at the Kingsley Park yard.
This season the bay colt has learnt to drop the bit at home and apart form his opening salvo at Newmarket, that has also been reflected in his six races to date this term. That last run at Group One level was yet another step forward from the selection and he heads into this prestigious event strongly fancied.
Magical is rightly respected with the best form in the race, but she has been on the go for a long time and a bigger danger could come from Headman. A big strapping colt, Roger Charlton’s charge has only just begun to fulfill his initial promise now that he has acquired the strength to carry his immense frame.
*Prices correct at time of publishing
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