Hi all,
A much better day on what had looked a tricky Friday.
Onto Saturday’s action which sees the first domestic Group 1 for the older generation. The Lockinge Stakes (3:35) wasn’t run last year due to the pandemic. Palace Pier who made a winning seasonal return will be short price to again another Group 1 success.
There are plenty of betting opportunities for punter today but in truth I’m keeping it a bit low key.
You can watch the best of the action from Newbury & Newmarket on ITV racing.
Newbury
3:00 – BetVictor London Gold Cup Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 2f
A race which often produces plenty of future winners and this year’s field as ever see’s plenty of unexposed 3-year-olds.
Recent Pontefract winner King Frankel has arguably the best form of all the 11 declared runners but he’s vulnerable to any improvers in the field.
Highland Rocker made a winning seasonal return at Ripon and makes his handicap debut here. The John Gosden trained colt makes his handicap debut. He drops back a couple of furlongs in trip from last time but can improve further and must be respected.
Tamborrada made it 3-3 when making a winning handicap debut at Doncaster. He’s been upped 8lb for that win and does need to find more improvement to win.
Oz Legend improved on his racecourse debut to win over a mile at Newcastle in December. Maintained his improvement when a close-up 3rd of 9 at Windsor 26-days ago. Open to more improvement on his handicap debut and has a nice light weight off 8-2.
The Sir Michael Stoute trained Bay Bridge is going the right way and won at Newcastle on his return to action last month. Makes his handicap debut here and he’s clearly held in regard as he’s got a Royal Ascot Group 2 entry.
Dubawi Sands still looked green when winning a Ripon novice 20-days ago. Handicap debut off what looks a workable mark off 86. This more galloping track should suit him better and if he handles today’s easier ground shouldn’t be far away.
Verdict: As competitive as ever. Plenty to like about Bay Bridge but he’s now plenty short enough in the betting at 11/4. My two against the field at Oz Legend & Dubawi Sands.
1pt win – Oz Legend – 9/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt win – Dubwai Sands – 8/1 @ Bet365 & Coral
3:35 – Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (Group 1) – 1m
Palace Pier has 8lb in hand of his rivals on official ratings and will be tough to beat.
Lope Y Fernandez made a winning return to action when winning a Listed race at Leopardstown last month. If he can improve again and the favourite isn’t at his best, he could take advantage.
Top Rank is on an upward curve and looked improver when winning at Doncaster on his return to action in March. The good to soft ground suits and if it eases further, it will suit the 5-year-old.
The lightly raced My Oberon looked to have improved from three to four when winning the Group 3 Earl Of Sefton at Newmarket on his seasonal return. He can progress further although he might be better on quicker ground.
Verdict: Had to look beyond Palace Pier but if you are looking for a play in the race you could do worse than the improving Top Rank especially if the ground eases further.
1pt win – Top Rank – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Newmarket
3:15 – Heed Your Hunch At Betway Handicap (Class 2) – 6f
The second most competitive race on ITV with 16 declared to go to post for this 3-year-old only sprint handicap.
Jumby looked very unlucky when 3rd of 9 over C&D on his seasonal return. Today’s bigger field will suit and he’s capable of more progress. Looks a worthy market leader.
Smeaton’s Light looked much improved when winning a Thirsk maiden (good to firm) 19-days ago. He’s at the right end of the handicap and has each way claims if he handles today’s easier surface.
Kevin Ryan trained the 2015 winner of the race and he saddles Seven Brothers who made it 3-4 when just holding onto win on his handicap debut at Doncaster 22-days ago. Only up 2lb for that win and has the potential to do better still.
Tim Easterby had a good week at York and his runner Barney’s Boy comes into the race seeking a hat trick after wins at Southwell and Thirsk. The ground was soft at Thirsk last time and he’s been raised 9lb for that comfortable success.
Verdict: A solid favourite in Jumby. At bigger prices Seven Brothers and handicap debutant Smeaton Light make some appeal.
1pt win – Seven Brothers – 9/1 @ Bet365 & Ladbrokes
1pt win – Smeaton’s Light – 12/1 @ Bet365
Not sure if there will be any selections on Sunday so watch your inboxes for any updates.
Cheers
John