In a season where all the good stuff has come thick and fast, ITV Racing is back in action on Thursday with eight races from Newmarket and York. Let’s get straight to it, and start with the Newmarket fixture.
Newmarket 13.50: Lord Campari
We get underway with a Listed event for 3-year-olds over 1m. LORD CAMPARI does not have the best form or the highest rating, but he probably has the most potential. His win for Roger Varian first time out this season looks very solid form, with the second and third both scoring next time. Should give Andrea Atzeni a good ride.
Newmarket 14.25: Al Dabaran
Next at Newmarket is the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy for St Leger possibles over 1m 5f. This is wide open. AL DABARAN is the one for me but I want to back him each way even at shortish odds. He was far from disgraced behind Santiago at Royal Ascot and looks as though he can improve for that run for Charlie Appleby and William Buick. I’d be stunned if he is not in the first three.
Newmarket 15.00: Qaader
We are in Group 2 company with the July Stakes over 6f for youngsters. QAADER only found one too good at Royal Ascot in the Coventry Stkes. While the winner was a huge price, it was still probably a very good effort. Mark Johnston’s runners tend to keep improving in these type of events and Jim Crowley is in great form as well. Tactical did this column a big favour at Ascot and is a lively danger.
Newmarket 15.35: Dancin Inthestreet
Now a handicap over 6f. DANCIN INTHESTREET was one of the major eye-catchers in defeat at the Royal meeting and could easily land this with just 8st 4lb on her back. A closer in the Palace of Holyrood House handicap, trainer William Haggas was in bits afterwards, although she would never have beaten the impressive winner. Hard to ignore here.
Newmarket 16.10: Old Persian
And finally, at Newmarket the Group 2 Princess of Wales’s Stakes over 1m 4f. Everyone loves Enbihaar who is a big beast and was a real improver last term. That said, the one to be on here each-way is OLD PERSIAN, who easily has the class to take this for Charlie Appleby and William Buick if anywhere near his best.
Way below form at Saint-Cloud last time and in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, Old Persian would take all the beating on his Great Voltigeur form of 2018 and was useful at Woodbine in 2019.
Meanwhile, ITV also show three races from York on Thursday.
York 14.05: Sardina Sunset
The first ITV race is a Listed contest for juveniles over 5f. No doubt the one to beat is SARDINIA SUNSET, ridden by Jason Watson for trainer Roger Varian. A fine second at Newmarket on debut, my hope then went to Royal Ascot and was fourth in the Queen Mary. The third in that event hacked up at Windsor on Monday night and surely my selection takes all the beating here.
York 14.40: Pocket Square
Next up is the Group 3 Musidora Stakes over an extended 1m 2f. Some very promising types in here, none more so than Franconia, who gives jockey Graham Lee a big chance of a winner for John Gosden. I’ll chance POCKET SQUARE for Roger Charlton after two fine wins last season at Ascot and in Deauville. Of course, she may need the run after a break, but she’s bred to be very good and should stay no problem.
An exciting prospect whatever her fate here.
York 15.15: Highest Ground
And finally at York on ITV, the Group 2 Dante Stakes over an extended 1m 2f. By all accounts Oisin Murphy should take this with the exciting HIGHEST GROUND, who romped home from Waldkonig at Haydock last time and could be a top-class horse for Sir Michael Stoute. He’s proven at the trip and the ground is ideal so should be very, very hard to deny.
So, best of luck pray for Yeeehaaas! You hear me Paddy?
@MCYeeehaaa’s tips for ITV Racing at Newmarket and York
Newmarket
13.50 Lord Campari
14.25 Al Dabaran
15.00 Qaader
15.35 Dancin Inthestreet
16.10 Old Persian
York
14.05 Sardina Sunset
14.40 Pocket Square
15.15 Highest Ground
Essential reading for Thursday’s racing
- Mick Fitzgerald’s Lucky 15 To Set The Scene For Newmarket & York On Thursday
- Ruby Walsh: I Don’t Think There’s Any Horse Who Can Give Love 9lbs – Not Even Enable
- 5 To Follow At Newmarket & York On ITV From Timeform
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