Good evening folks
Two further selections are below, along with the ones already sent and their write up’s. Nothing more to follow for Saturday.
4:50 Ascot
OBELIX – 3/4 Pt EW @ 12/1 4 places generally (drifting & BOG with some so may get bigger
Another 4 year old who is starting to recapture his form, a strongly run stiff 1mile handicap looks to be what he wants. Although not a massive fane, we all know Spencer rides the straight track better than anyone so granted a nice pace to chase should go well.
5:40 York
ALREET CHA – 1/2 Pt EW @ 14/1 Boost Will Hill 4 places, 12/1 4 places generally
Another with a quality run over C & D. Travels smoothly in the run but has been just found wanting late in the piece, suggesting she was struggling to breathe when it nattered most. A 1st time wind operation should do the trick and if so (1st run after it) handicapped to run a big race and worth chancing.
4:35 York
AL MARMAR – 1 Pt EW @ 13/1 Unibet boost, 12/1 5 places generally
Two cracking runs at the track, he has signalled his turn may be near of late. Thrashed Eagle Day (2nd fav) earlier in the year yet is massively better off with him. He has dropped that last winning mark of 76 where he fairly bolted up at Chelmsford beating a decent field and in fact his form-line when 76 or less reads and impressive 1,4,1,2 (2nd was cantering and narrowly beaten and the 4th was a brilliant run in a £106K event in Doha!) If anywhere near that form in the middling handicap, he goes close!
2:05 York
BIRKENHEAD – 1/2 Pt EW @ 12/1 5 places generally
In rude health and very good form at present, his fast starts are a weapon at this track, as he shown when taking this very event 2 years back under today’s pilot which is a bonus. The going stick states stands side for once should be favoured (who knows?) and that’s where the majority of the speedier horses are berthed so with his lovely draw near the paint, he should put up a bold showing to repeat the dose.
2:40 York
FERROUS – 1/2 Pt EW @ 18/1 boost Lads 4 places, 16/1 4 places generally
Another tricky sprint, but I like this smooth travelling 4 year old who is improving and hails from Metal Merchant’s yard in the same colours so hopefully it can be a very notable double for us! Yet to race at this course, which can prove tricky, he travels so well so it should suit and Channon has a cracking record at this track, especially in sprints. He teams up with a cracking ‘York’ jockey in Conor Beasley who in turn has a very good record for the yard. Traditionally, high draws win this (who knows?)and as with Birkenhead, I have sided with that stat again and if it transpires that way, he can go very well for us.
3:00 Ascot (Sat 27th July)
METAL MERCHANT – 1.25 Pt EW @ 18/1 boost Will Hill & Lads 5 places, 16/1 6 places Skybet, 16/1 5 places generally
NEW IMAGE – 3/4 Pt Win @ 10/1 Bet365 & Vbet, 8/1 generally
Some of our old warriors in this (Aalto being a good winner for us) but on handicap terms he can’t beat New Image who looks an improver and worth a cover bet. The main selection is Metal Merchant, who loves this course, and if you recall, I tipped him at The Royal meeting in the Hunt Cup where he travelled supremely the best horse only to be on the wrong side/not enough of a lead into the race. I also said that a strongly run 7F (as I did with Aalto @ Newmarket) looks right up his street. I hope (fingers crossed) he gets a decent pace to chase. He has shown ALL year in the top handicaps he is a 4 year old on the up and has travelled smoothly in EVERY one of them. IMO he doesn’t see out the 1mile trip strongly enough (has won over it though) so a strong 7F on a stiff track looks tailor-made. Draw always plays a part, and I have no control over either that or the pace, but he looks nicely berthed and he reproducing any of his runs this season then he looks sure to run a massive race for us at a cracking price and I would be most disappointed if he didn’t place at the very least!
5:20 Chester
DUE FOR LUCK – 1/2 Pt EW @ 12/1 Bet365 4 places, 15/2 4 Skybet 8/1 generally (I’m tight for time and the other 4 placed bookies yet to price up so may get better)
Most unlucky over C & D earlier in the season then again in the 3 year old ‘Dash’ at Epsom, both races were much better class than today’s and it would seem he’s gone off the boil but the yard have been in woeful form until recently when they have had a few winners. The icing on the cake is the booking of Jason Hart who rides this track brilliantly, especially in C & D handicaps where he is 6 winners & 15 placers from 20 rides!!
Nicely berthed in stall 4, they will go a serious lick in this which will suit admirably and if getting the lucky breaks at this notoriously tricky course, then he is handicapped to go very close indeed.
5:25 Ascot
ALBASHEER – 1.5 Pt Win @ 9/2, 4/1 Hills generally
Did us a favour around this time last year @ 20’s when dead-heating with Summerghand, he’s nowhere near that price tomorrow but looks ready to strike now after an a most eye-catching effort when an very unlucky second over this course and distance two weeks ago. He’s rated 107 on the all-weather but has a turf mark of just 99 so looks well handicapped and a repeat of that latest effort will see him hard to beat.