Good morning folks
Nothing further for Saturday. Full list of selections below. Back tomorrow with an heads up/plans for next week at Goodwood
14:12 Newcastle
MUHTASHIM – 3/4 Pt Each way @ 9/1 Bet365 4 places, 15/2 4 places generally
A very taking C & D winner over our tip, Phantom Flight (now rated 98) early on, he looks an all weather horse to me so the return to this venue looks significant, especially given the jockey booking who has had just the 3 rides from trainer ALL TIME at the track with a Winner and two very narrow defeats! A prominent racer, could get the run of the race also.
14:40 York
MUSIC SOCIETY – 3/4 Pt Each way @ 20/1 Coral & Ladbrokes 4 places, 18/1 4 places & 16/1 5 places generally
Just touched off in this race by Venturous last year, he is now much better off at the weights and has been shaping better than his bare form of late. His Haydock run, which ties in very closely with favourite Silver Samurai (that horse!!) & Nationwide, looks key here and Music Society shot clear that day before being caught close home by the no denying very easy winner. Better off again with those two, he is well drawn so I thought a value play in this.
15:07 Newmarket
ROMANTIC TIME – 1/2 Pt Each way @ 10/1 Bet365, 8/1 generally
Three-time winner at 2 yrs, including in 6f Group 3. Has edged down the weights and fared better back over this trip in 4-runner fillies’ handicap here last week had also shown form at this track in a race that has worked out strongly. With the stalls on the far side, looks well berthed in stall 8 to go well on that favoured rail.
15:00 Ascot
ARATUS – 3/4 Pt Win @ 16/1 B.O.G generally
STAR OF ORION – 1 Pt Win @ 20/1 William Hill, 16/1 generally
KING ZAIN – 3/4 Pt Win @ 16/1 B.O.G generally
Aratus & Star Of Orion were both backed here at the Royal meeting with the former travelling well but finding the stiff 1mile trip too much late on and the latter suffered a luckless run through.
Both have cracking 7 furlongs handicap form with Star Of Orion just touched off in this very race last year. Both can go very well!
Roger Charlton won this race with Blue Mist a couple of years ago and runs King Zain.
The ex-Mark Johnston-trained horse has only had a couple of runs for his new handler(s) but the Charltons have quickly found the key to him dropping him in trip and running prominently as showcased at Kempton last time out.
This is obviously much tougher off 8lb higher but he looks the most obvious pace angle in the race and he could make a beeline for the stands’ rail from stall 21 under James Doyle, so a big run is anticipated from the son of Kingman.
16:32 Newcastle
HAVEYOUMISSEDME – 1 Pt Win @ 11/2 B.O.G generally
Tipped LTO at this course, he cantered into the lead but found the 2 mile trip just too far on the day. He has won smoothly over C & D so the drop back in trip looks ideal and I expect a bold showing.
16:45 Ascot
ATRIUM – 1 Pt Win @ 8/1 B.O.G generally
Novice/nursery winner as a juvenile over 7f and improved when a very taking winner of a C&D handicap in May. Unable to land a blow in the Britannia after a slow then travelling well but got right back on track when third on the round course here 15 days ago, despite being left poorly placed. Trainers last 3 runners have Won & the booking of Jamie Spencer looks a good one given he rides this straight mile better than anyone. Hopefully he gets a good pace to run at!
17:00 York
GIBSIDE – 1.5 Pt Win @ 5/1 B.O.G generally
Gibside had run some creditable races in defeat, shaping like he was capable of defying his modest mark, and he raised his game to register a decisive success at Ripon last week.
Gibside was short of room as the steady pace started to lift but when the gap appeared two furlongs out he quickened up well and powered three and a half lengths clear, doing well to put so much distance between himself and his rivals given the modest early tempo.
The impressive closing sectional that Gibside clocked identified him as a well-handicapped horse, so a 5lb higher mark should not prevent him following up.
It’s also worth noting that he’s the sole three-year-old in this handicap and is in receipt of a handy weight-for-age allowance.