ITV Racing have seven contests from Ascot, Haydock & Newmarket on Saturday and here’s 5 I’m hoping give Paddy a run for his money.
Ascot 13:50
Highland Dress represents Archie Watson and Adam McNamara and ran a nice race behind the smart Nahaarr at Newbury and wasn’t beaten far in the Wokingham when eighth to Hey Jonesy.
Theotherside is of real interest here for Pat Dobbs and trainer Richard Hannon as being a three-year-old he gets the weigh-for-age allowance from the older horses in a handicap. He travelled really strongly in the race he won at Newmarket and is a player.
However, my selection is going to be a big price so we can have a bit on each-way.
Graceful Magic started the season in the 1,000 Guineas when 11th of 15 to Love have finished last season by narrowly going down to Rose of Kildare at Ayr.
She has been awkward at the start on her last few runs, but if she can get out better she has to be a player st a big price.
Ascot 14:25
Jalaad won well at York and will be among the market leaders for Saeed Bin Suroor and Jim Crowley is fav on the back of a really good win at York. He only got a 5lb hike for that win and has to be of interest.
Kevin Ryan’s Wild Hope would definitely be of interest on his run behind Jalaad at Newcastle as he is better off at the weights – but he is too inconsistent.
The one I prefer is Shelir.
He has run in all the big handicaps was eighth behind Blue Mist at this track last time, while his runs in the Buckingham Palace Stakes, when fifth behind Motakhayyel, reads pretty well too.
Haydock 14:40
Ryan Moore travels to Haydock to ride the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Veracious for Chevely Park Stud. She’s had a wind op but is returning after a long lay-off and is likely to be short enough in the betting. For a bit of value I’ll stick with Zaaki in the Rose of Lancaster Stakes who has run well in defeat, finishing sixth to Mohaather at Royal Ascot in the Group 2 Summer Mile. I’ll take him to get the better of Global Giant.
Ascot 15:00
I love these long-distance handicaps on the Flat and jumps trainers have such a good record in these type of races, especially if you get some dig in the ground.
Australis ran a belter in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle and this two-mile trip looks well within his compass. Holy Kingdom won over 1m 6f at Newmarket and his young trainer Tom Clover is doing very well this season.
At a nice price for Paul and Megan Nicholls is Red Force One who did us a good turn when winning at Market Rasen in the Summer Hurdle. His hurdling was nothing special, but he stays and looked like he needed this two-mile trip when running on at Thirsk over 1m 4f. Owned by Sir Alex Ferguson and Ged Mason, he gets a confident nod from me.
Ascot 15:35
Look Closely is a course and distance winner last time when ridden very aggressively, but is up 8lbs for that victory. Jeremiah also who won over course and distance last time and has to endure a 6lb rise.
However, the son of a very fashionable sire, Siyouni, Omnivega is the one that catches my eye. He has won his last three starts on the all-weather surface and is not finished improving yet.
He is the one who gets the vote to seal the deal for us.
Good luck!
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