We are a week away from the first classics of the UK flat racing season but before we get there we have plenty of action to enjoy, beginning on Saturday when there are as many as four meetings on the turf up and down the country.
We have looked through the race cards and come out with three bets in the afternoon as well as one in the evening as we hope for a little more luck than when we had a non-runner from our only bet on Friday.
1.30 Haydock
Preview
The opener at the Lancashire track is a Class 4 handicap over a mile and a quarter, and there’s a 13 strong field headed by Blistering Barney who won his last start last term in a grade 2 higher than this. However, that was over much further and stepping back half a mile might be against him. With Kevin Stott now the Amo Racing jockey, he gets aboard the Richard Hannon trained favourite, Thunder Max. He’s been off the track for a year and, whilst he’s lightly raced, he’s only ever won a maiden and despite his falling mark, he’s yet to really get seriously involved in a handicap. Innse Gall should be in the mix but has gone up 1lb for a defeat on reappearance and Arcadian Nights has been winning form, albeit on the all weather. Ian Williams has to be feared here so Typical Woman has a chance especially off the back of a pair of 2nd’s here last term.
Betting
Eeetee – The selection is now a 5 year old and has an outstanding chance here if ready to roll on his return. He’s run a pair of poor races on his 2 most recent starts but that’s on the all weather, a surface he’s yet to thrive on. His turf form is a different story as since stepping up to this trip, his record reads 1-1-4. After winning off 71 in Class 5, he then improved again to win easily by 3 lengths in a competitive runner race in this grade at York off 75 (he’s just 3lbs higher today). Returning to York on his most recent turf run, he was just under 2 lengths 4th of 16 off a mark 4lbs higher than today’s and in a higher grade. His hold up style of racing is well suited to this track, the jockey booking is noteworthy and this easier grade / lower mark back on turf should bring about the necessary improvement.
Tips
Back Eeetee (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 10.00 Boylesports BOG (⅕ odds 1-4)
Back it here:
2.05 Haydock
Preview
Handicaps at Haydock don’t get any easier as 35 minutes after the first race, we’re faced with a Class 5 handicap over 6 furlongs where a maximum field of 17 go to post. Richard Kingscote rides the Hughie Morrison trained favourite in With Respect who won most recently at Southwell but this is a much tougher race. Stella Barclay runs two, with Papa Cocktail the most fancied of her pair but he looks better on all weather or easier ground. Both Mega Marvel and Redzone are fancied too, but like the others, I’m not convinced a switch to turf will suit.
Betting
Glorious Rio – It’s the top weight that I’m siding with here. The yard runs two and this is the lesser fancied of the pair but I really don’t support that view. He’s been running well on the all weather apart from a poor effort last time out but it’s his turf form that appeals. He’s won his last 2 in this grade and his last win came last summer off this mark so whilst he’s not troubled the judge since, class and mark were against him. Form in Class 4 or above reads 0-17 whilst, in Class 5, it improves to 3-16 or, when restricted to turf handicaps, 2-6. He has a decent enough draw in 11 and, with the track favouring those held up, it’s another tick in the box as is the stiff nature of the straight track. Yard is going really well with 3 winners from 11 runners in the last 2 weeks, whilst the jockey has a 33% strike rate in the past fortnight. They’ve teamed up 5 times this year, winning 3, so it’s a combo to be feared.
Tips
Back Glorious Rio (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 13.00 Betfair Sportsbook BOG (⅕ odds 1-5)
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5.25 Leicester
Preview
Currently there’s a field of 15 in this Class 6 handicap over the straight 6 furlongs. The ground is currently heavy so you need a horse that will like the ground and will last home as an absolute minimum. Rajmeister is out of Pivotal so will love the ground and he is in form but a 4lb higher mark and an extra furlong temper enthusiasm a little. Navy Drums has been in excellent nick on the all weather but ran below par last time out on soft ground on turf whilst Bama Lama was behind Rajmeister last time out so has to turn the tables. At a biggish price, Laertes should run a big race but I’m slightly concerned he’ll need the run so he’s reluctantly passed over.
Betting
Autumn Angel – This 4 year old filly has mainly been plying her trade on the all weather but she’s shown something on soft ground to suggest she will be involved here. Breeding suggests she’ll get further and also that easy ground is in her favour and that’s been somewhat backed up on the track as she finished 2nd of 11 last year over 7 furlong whilst her soft ground form reads 4th of 9, 2nd of 5 and 6th of 17. That 2nd place finish was in a handicap off 1lb lower where she hung quite badly and didn’t get a clear run but it was her run when 6th in a big field at Bath where the front 6 came clear from the rest of the field. 4 of her rivals in that race have run since & all have put up good performances so the form is holding up well. Either side of that run, he won at Southwell when coming through strongly from off the pace and most recently, racing too free and being poorly positioned when the race unfolded before staying on to good effect. She won the last time in this grade and I’m hopeful that she’ll go close in a race where I’m not convinced there’s too much depth.
Tips
Back Autumn Angel (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 12.00 William Hill BOG (⅕ odds 1-4)
Back her here:
7.15 Doncaster
Preview
We saw on Friday that the rain has gotten into the ground at Town Moor so this Class 5 handicap over a mile and a half should go to one with proven soft ground form. Divine Comedy has the form but has yet to race on ground this soft and has a 7 month absence to overcome whilst Down To The Kid has been going well on the all weather but disappointed on his one try on soft ground.
Betting
Dundory – Returned to turf, I think the selection has a massive shout. His form has a very interesting pattern to it. Since moving to the UK at the end of 2021, he’s run 12 times on the all weather, sporting headgear once and never finishing better than 4th. However, it’s a complete contract on turf with 9 runs, 3 wins, 2 seconds and 4 4th place finishes, all in cheekpieces which are back on today. He runs off a mark of 70 today and it’s worth noting that his most recent win was off a mark of 72. Furthermore it was on soft ground too which is another plus. His RPRs on turf are also impressive too as he’s recorded a RPR higher than today’s mark on all bar one of his turf runs, 4 times recording 79 or better (whilst he races off a mark of 70 here). He comes here fit from the all weather and now with conditions in his favour, he looks a very big price and cannot go unbacked.
Tips
Back Dundory (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 15.00 Skybet BOG (⅕ odds 1-5)
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