Hi all,
The betting weekend starts here. I have a couple of selections running at Ascot and a recent eyecatcher running at Dundalk.
Ascot
2:35 – With the going at Ascot likely to be soft at best It’s worth chancing Tribal Craft, trained by Andrew Balding. The filly had been progressing until a poor run at Chester, didn’t seem to handle the twists n turns. This more conventional track will suit her better and she did win on soft ground at Salisbury in July. Almania is said to have worked well on Tuesday and is a big player but the soft ground is an unknown. Hereby is a filly on the upgrade having won handicaps at Chester(twice) and Pontefract. Needs to improve a bit more to win this but that’s highly possible.
1pt win – Tribal Craft – 7/1 – Gen
3:45 – Three-year-old’s have won six of the last ten running’s, from 20 runners, of this 2m handicap. There are just three of that age group in this year’s race: Platform Nineteen, Laafy and Landa Beach. At the prices I’m going each way on Landa Beach. The selection had looked moderate but seems to have improved for the fitting of cheekpieces and gelding operation on his last two starts. Beaten just a neck at Haydock (soft) 28-days ago, off 1lb lower. He shaped that day like a step up to 2m would suit and could bring out a bit more improvement in him. Trainer Andrew Balding won this race in 2013.
1pt each way – Landa Beach – 8/1 @ Bet355 or 15/2 & Coral & Ladbrokes
Dundalk
8:45 – I wouldn’t normally be looking to tip one on a Friday evening at Dundalkbut recent Leopardstown eyecatcher Edification runs here. The 6-year-old did best of those drawn in a single figure draw when finishing best of all to take 4th in the valuable “Petingo” Handicap. Twice a winner this season, this was a career best on the flat by the 6-year-old who’s now 1 win from 4 runs 3 placed when racing over 1m 4f +. He’s got plenty of ability and holds his form well but does need things to fall right. Being covered up in a big field suits him well and he should remain competitive in big field handicaps. Won here back in January so no issues with the surface. If they go a good gallop, he’s got the class to go close. Dalileo, trained by Johnny Murtagh, is joint top weight with Edification. The 4-year-old continues to run well, finishing 2nd of 14, beaten ½ length over C&D 7-days ago. He’s been nudged up 2lb for that effort but won’t be far away if in the same form as last time and could be worth a saver.
1pt each way – Edification – 12/1 @ William Hill & Bet365
1pt win – Dalileo – 6/1 @ William Hill & BetVictor
Cheers
John