13:55 Thirsk – Tanasoq
An ITV bonanza on Sunday and I have picked five for you to thrive over the three locations. We are going to Thirsk for the first of them.
This is a really competitive handicap over the minimum trip and I like a horse that has won at the track, who could go off at a big price here. It’s a horse trained by Paul Midgley called TANASOQ
He actually beat a good horse called El Astronaute at Musselburgh last year in receipt of only 4lbs from him. That is strong form and the fact that he’s won on fast ground at the track after a good run last time is good enough for me to believe that he’ll at least hit the frame as an each-way gamble.
14:30 Thirsk – Intrinsic Bond
We got a 6-furlong handicap here and there’s decent odds on offer for lots of these. David O’Meara has Muscika, who won at York last time in a competitive handicap on fast ground.
There will have plenty of supporters for that, but I really like a horse called INTRINSIC BOND. He won very comfily at Doncaster last time and is only a three-year-old, so gets a weight an allowance from the older horses.
I believe this is a nice horse, who has not finished improving and he gets the vote.
14:15 Salisbury – Poets Dance
Salisbury is the middle leg and this is another sprint handicap. Stuart Williams is a very good trainer and he has done brilliantly with Tone The Barone, this fella won at Ascot beating a stablemate easily on decent ground.
He has to overcome a 6lb rise in the weights but is a deserved favourite, while Konchek finished behind him and again he has a chance.
However, I like POETS DANCE for Rae Guest. This one went nicely in a three-year-olds only handicap at Yarmouth and she has gone up 4lb in the ratings for that win. But, I thought she was at least value for that and she is the selection.
15:10 Curragh – Lucky Vega
Steel Bull is all the rage here after his effortless win at Goodwood, he now races in new colours having been purchased privately for no doubt a tidy sum and he sets a good standard.
I’m not gone on The Lir Jet after what happened in France, the French track chose to stable him next to a filly when he arrived at Chantilly. That upset him because he was thinking of making babies and not winning races. He also has Ventura Tormenta is in opposition again.
Aidan O’Brien is firing three shots at the target in here and on jockey bookings St Mark’s Basilica looks the best of them.
Admiral Nelson was sixth in the Coventry Stakes and is the mount of Derby winner Emmet McNamara.
Laws of Indices beat Lucky Vega last time, but I expect LUCKY VEGA to get revenge here. Lucky Vega is my each-way play in this as it’s an open contest and I expect him to come forward from the last run.
15:40 Curragh – Millisle
Jessie Harrington is flying and her Millisle gets the allowance for being a three-year-old filly and can win this at the expense of Speak In Colours.
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Mick Fitzgerald’s tips summary:
13:55 Thirsk – Tanasoq
14:30 Thirsk – Intrinsic Bond
14:15 Salisbury – Poets Dance
15:10 Curragh – Lucky Vega
15:40 Curragh – Millisle
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