Saturday’s Racing Tips

Well, Friday wasn’t a train crash by any means. A 10-1 Irish Cambridgeshire winner in JASSAAR. My first choice CURRENT OPTION was 2nd. Two other horses I mentioned filled the next two spots – and yes Jessica Harrington’s ONLYHUMAN performed as you would expect a Raceweb tip to behave and came plum last. Still and all, I picked up some spare dosh for tomorrow and a small forecast – but Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Look at the disparity between the generous Irish Tote and the ludicrous “Industry” returns. Even by my very old-fashioned calculations, I would have expected just shy of £150. If I were the Irish, I’d build a border 200′ high to keep the thieving Brits out!

• EX: €294.60 Trifecta: €2,327.80
• SF: £114.17 Tricast: £830.54

Meanwhile, Peter O’Tool’s list produced two decent performances, and reminded one that bad luck like a startled exit from the stalls can unhinge the best performances:

• Exchequer 17:45 Thirsk Lost (Watch next time. Broke badly)
• Lyndon B 15:50 Sandown Won @ 2/1
• Fort Myers 17:20 The Curragh 3rd @ 6/1
• Seraphinite 14:10 Sandown Lost
• Sapa Inca 18:55 Hamilton Lost 4th Elysian Flame Won @ 9/1

As I write the ground tomorrow is my principle concern. I am heading to Midhurst, where I anticipate sun. Ditto Sandown, but Beverley (G/S) and Chester (G) might very well have some rain around two o’clock. I think I shall assume it won’t have got in to change the going. Keep an eye on it.

1:50 Sandown Play 4 To Score At Betway Handicap Cl3 (3yo+ 0-95) 5f

I quite fancy that the winners for this need to have a low draw and race handily, if nt prominently. The two for me are EMBOUR and MOUNTAIN PEAK. IF I had a worry it would be JUMIRA BRIDGE, and the reason I haven’t gone with him is that his pace to date suggests he is a hold-up horse. So of my two, I’d be a mug to turn my back on the Hannon Moore combo. (BOLD CAPS 1st choice BOLD CAPS ITALIC 2nd choice possibly e/w)

2:05 Beverley William Hill Silver Cup Handicap Cl2 (3yo 0-105) 1m2f

I have this poorly-attended-for-the-money race between DARK VISION and DESERT ICON I fancy the latter will actually go off the favourite, so if you can get 9/4+ take it. Bizarrely my number also suggest ARCTIC FOX could take a hand. What??? Still might do a teeny SFC.

2:25 Sandown Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap Cl2 (3yo+) 1m2f

An appropriate race name, given my previous suggestion! HIYANNA Is the wrong price here at anything above 8s. She’s currently 10s – take it e/w. She’s getting a claim and her race LTO was as a reserve in the Shergar Cup where she came 6th, and was actually good for 3rd, possibly more. It reminded me slightly of an uber driver who wasn’t sure what the best route was – and hadn’t got satnav! Neither MY TOP HAT nor VENTURA KNIGHT would be a surprise in the placings.

2:45 Chester Sportpesa Chester Stakes (Listed Race) Cl1 (3yo+) 1m6½f

Here’s a stat for you. 16/16 had won over 12f or more. AMong this merry selection, we only have two and a Dermot Weld runner STIVERS who doesn’t appear in my database! However, a search at The Racing Post shows THIS. The other two are the favourite OUTBOX and TRIBAL CRAFT. The favourite is 10lbs shy of his last winning mark, which draws me to the other two. The Handicapper – who is a genius on an overseas formline, has given him top weight. I might also stick the pair in a RFC and hope for the best

3:00 Sandown Betway Atalanta Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares) Cl1 (3yo+) 1m

Of course JUBILOSO should win this and probably will. The G3 Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood LTO was a hot little number producing a couple of decent winners since, but I’m afraid I’m going for Frankie aboard DUNEFLOWER.She won cosily LTO, and has progressed quietly among Gosden’s huge arsenal of talent, so that no one has really noticed her. Today might be the day she comes alight.

3:15 Beverley William Hill Beverley Bullet Sprint Stakes (Listed Race) Cl1 (3yo+) 5f

Shortlist

I have this between JUDICIAL and ORNATE. The former loves Beverely and is 2/2. (Ornate is 1w 1p from 3). He has a cracking draw in the 3-box and Julie Camacho has had all her course winners in similar conditions. The fingers are firmly crossed against rain because he really doesn’t want it soft. COPPER KNIGHT is a worry and this drop in class might open the door.

3:35 Sandown Betway Solario Stakes (Group 3) Cl1 (2yo) 7f

A highly impressive winner on debut, POSITIVE was a very impressive winner on his debut, hosing away by 5l, despite being carried left by a less ready rival. Afterward, Clive Cox suggested, “He’s as good as we have ever had.” He was unlucky to meet Pinatubo at Goodwood LTO in the Vintage Stakes, but I note that the third, Lope Y Fernandez, won the G3 in which we had recommended an interest at the Curragh yesterday,