Ascot 13:50 – Equitation
Chil Chil and Theotherside are the unexposed types that will dominate this market but I think Equitation holds really solid each way claims here for Stuart Williams. He was 2nd here last month over five furlongs and the step back up to six furlongs here is ideal for him. He hacked up over this course and distance last September and finds himself just 3lbs higher here. Now that he showed he was running back into form last time, he looks sure to go well in a race that looks very likely to be run to suit
Haydock 14:05 – Iconic Choice
Veracious is the one whose form stands out in this field and were she to run to the best of her form, then she won’t be beaten. The worry would be that she was well beaten on her reappearance last season and there is a chance she will need this run a bit before he sights are raised towards Group 1 races again. I am going to take one each way against her in case she does need the run and I think that Iconic Choice is a very fair price.
She won four times as a juvenile, including at Haydock on fast ground and a listed event at Newbury and the earlier part of her three year old career was very promising also. She was just touched off in the Group 3 Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury and then was beaten less than three lengths when 7th in the 1,000 Guineas last year behind Hermosa.
Her form completely tailed off last year after that but she appeared to be back to somewhere near her best when 4th in the Group 2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot when behind subsequent Group 1 winner Nazeef. She also ran really well when 2nd at Listed level at Pontefract behind Romola and the 4th in that race, Lady Bowthorpe, won at Group 3 level since to give that form a solid look.
Iconic Choice was disappointing in that Group 3 Lady Bowthorpe won but on the form of those two good runs this year, she would look to have solid claims of making the frame in a race that looks to lack depth.
Ascot 14:25 – Via Serendipity
Via Serendipity has been quite disappointing this season but has now switched from Stuart Williams to Charlie Fellowes and if the change of scenery sparks a recovery of his best form, he is extremely well treated at a track he has won at previously. It is less than a year since he won a valuable claiming handicap at Kempton off a mark of 104 and in late 2018 he won at Ascot over a mile off a mark of 95. He finds himself off a mark of 83 here. If the switch of stables does the trick, he could be very difficult to beat and is a fair each way price.
Newmarket 14:50 – Thank You Next
Thank You Next caught the eye on debut at Windsor when beaten less than 4 lengths by Caroline Dale over five furlongs. Caroline Dale is now rated 98 and Thank You Next was staying on strongly that day and wasn’t disgraced in getting that close to the winner. Up to 6 furlongs for her second start at Kempton, she did manage to win but needed every yard of the trip to get up again suggesting she would improve for stepping up in trip again.
She made her nursery debut at Goodwood over 6 furlongs off a mark of 78 and again she found herself outpaced, before running on strongly to finish third. She finally steps up to 7 furlongs here and I can see her taking a massive step forward for this trip and she again gets to run off a mark of 78. Aesthete is a big threat, with her close 3rd at Newbury working out really well but I can’t get away from Thank You Next now up in trip and I hope she improves enough for this trip to see off Aesthete.
Newmarket 15:20 – Fly Miss Helen
Fly Miss Helen was heavily punted on debut at Newbury and didn’t let her backers down when winning in fine style over six furlongs. The way she shaped that day, suggested that she would improve plenty for the step up to seven furlongs and Richard Hannon couldn’t have been more positive about her after that win, suggesting that the Group 1 Moyglare Stakes at the Curragh would be the main aim for the rest of this year.
You get the impression that Hannon thinks she could well be his 1,000 Guineas horse for next year and while she need will to improve to win this competitive renewal of the Solera Stakes, I think there is every chance she will, before going onto bigger and better things this season.
Frank Hickey’s tips for Saturday
Ascot 13:50 – Equitation
Haydock 14:05 – Iconic Choice
Ascot 14:25 – Via Serendipity
Newmarket 14:50 – Thank You Next
Newmarket 15:20 – Fly Miss Helen
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Grab racing previews from the UK, Ireland and the rest of the globe here
- Placing bets is easier than ever with Paddy Power News’ live odds banners
- Horse Racing tips: Jason Weaver’s sweet 7 Saturday picks on ITV Racing
- Horse Racing tips: Mick Fitzgerald’s Saturday 5 to thrive on ITV Racing