Hi all,
It’s hardly the best Saturday of the summer but I suppose it fulfils a purpose and there is certainly plenty of it.
Weather more akin to autumn with wind and rain also helps to complicate what looks a tough punting day.
Plenty of recent eyecatchers out today with seven running around the country.
Chelmsford
3:40 – Commander Han has yet to finish outside the first three on his four starts on the track. Two of the 4-year-old best three RPR’s have come over C&D. Runner-up in the Thirsk Hunt Cup three starts back but has two disappointing efforts to overcome. Excuses for the last of them as he didn’t stay 1m 2f at Redcar. Should be in the mix returned to C&D and this prominent runner has a good draw in stall 3.
Commander Han – 16/1 @ Bet365 – each way or 14/1 – Gen
Beverley
2:00 – Michael Dods won this race with Easton Angel in 2015 his only runner in the race in the past 10-years. He saddles Yarrow Gate this time around. The daughter of Garswood was to green to do herself justice on her debut over C&D. But showed the benefit for the experience when just failing to get up on soft ground at Carlisle 9-days ago. Stall 7 isn’t the best, but she has each way claims if all eight stand their ground.
Yarrow Gate – 10/1 @ William Hill & Paddy Power – each way
Haydock
3:00 – The rain that fell at Haydock on Friday has turned the going to heavy with more rain forecast. The testing going will really suit the Michael Dods trained Intense Romance. The mare is 2 wins from 2 runs on heavy, she’s 1 win from 1 run over C&D and 2 wins from 4 runs +15 in listed company. Should be fitter today for her Naas return 40-days ago.
Intense Romance – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
4:10 – Another from theMichael Dods stable in the shape of recent Chester eyecatcher Camacho Chief. The 4-year-old was an improved handicapper between August & October last season winning at Carlisle & Leicester. That improved form came over 5f. Has yet to win on six attempts over 6f but shapes like he should be effective over the distance. Should be ok on the ground as two of his four career wins have come on soft ground. Wasn’t disgraced when 5th of 9 in a Class 2 handicap at Chester on his seasonal reappearance after a slow start. Better can be expected from him today.
Camacho Chief – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – each way – (both paying 4 places ¼ odds)
Newmarket
2:45 – Speedo Boy might be better over 2m but has form over 1m 6f, including when beaten less than 2 lengths into 5th in the valuable Mallard Handicap at Doncaster. Two disappointing runs at Meydan and was a well beaten 7th of 15 in the Chester Cup. The 5-year-old ha each way claims especially if they go a decent gallop.
Speedo Boy – 14/1 @ William Hill (paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
3:55 – Arguably the most competitive handicap of the day with a field of 15 sprint handicapper set to race over 6f. Recent eyecatcher Staxton won over C&D last July and is suited by some ease in the ground. Made an good return to action when 3rd of 15 at Ripon two starts back. Disappointing effort at York on good to firm 24-days ago but is down to a competitive mark. Aces won over 7f here last June, off 1lb higher, after winning a 6f Epsom handicap on Derby Day. Mase a promising return to action when 4th of 12 at Chester. Has to shrug off a disappointing run back at Chester 14-days ago. Ryan Moore 1 from 1 on the 7-year-old is back in the saddle. First time cheekpieces add interest and the he’s got each way claims back at 6f.
Staxton – 8/1 @ William Hill & Coral – each way – (both paying 4 places 1/5 odds)
Aces – 12/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – each way – (both paying 4 places 1/5 odds)
Recent Eyecatchers Running
Newmarket
2:10 – Mr Diamond – 16/1 @ Ladbrokes – each way – (paying 4 places 1/5 odds) Won’t mind some rain and he race’s off a nice light weight here. Each way claims.
5:35 – Autumn War – 9/1 – Gen – Needs to settle better than he has on his two starts this season. A combination of 1m 4f and good to soft going didn’t help last time. Better judged on his good ground seasonal reappearance at Doncaster.
Chelmsford
3:40 – Bless Him – 6/1 @ William Hill & Coral – Recent York eyecatcher, won a C&D maiden as a 3-year-old. Stall 4 fine and he should get a strong pace to chase.
3:40 – Qaroun – 5/1 @ Paddy Power – Twice placed here in the past. He found 7f a bit short last time at Goodwood and will be suited to a return to a mile. Stall ten could be better.
Lingfield
8:15 – Vegas Boy – 11/2 @ Gen – A previous C&D winner. The 4-year-old ran a cracker when runner-up at Ascot two starts back. Poor run at Windsor 19-days ago to overcome but could easily bounce back here.
Cheers
John