Yeah couldn't have put it better myself.It's a poor enough Saturday but a couple of races have weak looking front ends. I can't have Democracy Dilemma enjoying the stiff finish at Beverley in the Bullet and Clarendon House is a non stayer even if he was to be trusted to break on time (something DD has failed to do as well this season.) I quite like Blue Storm at 6/1.
Marb's has already indicated his liking for Fairbanks in the listed race at Chester. I see the angle Caius Chorester is not gonna settle at a track like Chester but I'd be wary of the Mullins/Elliot animals.
It's nice to see Ben Linfoot at the Sporting Life fancies Fairbanks and Mr Baloo. I'm not massively confident but I still think they are fair prices. Ben's piece is here. Ben Linfoot free horse racing tips for Beverley, Chester and Sandown Saturday August 31I've been unwell for days. Just laying in bed, it's either the cold (11/4), the flu ((13/2), covid (15/2) or some other unidentified yet hideous illness (15/8)
So I've had a look at Saturday and punted a little ante post E/W patent. The final declarations will be tomorrow, so as always, half the battle will be to see my fancies in the final decs.
First up is Mr Baloo, who sits on number 19 in the handicap, needing three to come out, in Sandown's 1.50. He's been off the track for three months or thereabouts, so may well have had a setback you'd have thought, but his form this season was interesting. He's a horse who did some winning in class fours when being both held up and then making all at Kempton, so he's not one dimensional, in terms of his running style, although for Sandown this Saturday, the main hope would be he's firing on all cylinders at home, after his break off the track, and will improve again for the step up in grade. I've taken the chance ante post, just in the event the race cuts up a bit and he may shorten nearer the time, because he'll have a nice racing weight and could be a plot. But obviously I'm just trying to second guess Hannon Jnr at the moment, and there's a fair chance he might not even run. There's no jockey booked up yet either, so if I see this I'd be more confident. After three months off the track, I'm hopeful his trainer has entered him for this race with every intention of running him. Lets hope so.
My second pick is Fairbanks in the listed race at Chester. The favourite is Hamish who is clear on ratings, but I've no idea if he's an intended runner, as he has usually been plying his trade at a higher level. So go on Haggas, do my good self a favour, take him out, and open the proverbial can of punting worms that will undoubtably follow. The second fav Caius Chorister has been a bit disappointing of late, being way too keen and pulling hard at Ascot. I wouldn't be backing her for this, though on her form she'd obviously have her chance. In any event, Fairbanks is still on an upward curve. He had no luck in running in the Ebor. He was hampered, denied a clear run and short of room. I guess whether Andrew Balding runs him here depends on how he's come out of York. He does also hold a Irish Cesarewitch entry at the end of September. I'm hoping I get the rub of the green at tomorrows declaration stage. I think Fairbanks is the type to run well in a listed race with fewer runners. We know he's better than his Ebor effort, as the horse he beat at Newmarket, Oneforthegutter, franked the form when third in the Ebor. Anyway, my main worry is will Balding skip the race altogether and wait for another valuable handicap. We'll see.
My third selection is James Webb in the 3:00 1M2F handicap at Sandown. He's by American Pharoah out of a Galileo mare. He did it really nicely the last day, in maiden company at Yarmouth. He showed plenty speed, and the 'making all' quality of always a good attribute for a track like Sandown, where often very few get involved in handicaps from the rear end. He's solid in the market at around 7/1, so I just hope to see him declared tomorrow to line up on Saturday. He could be a blot on the handicap.
Those were my three for an ante post each way patent on Saturday.
They may all be taken out tomorrow, so having played it blind, so to speak, plus not knowing running intentions, I'll count myself lucky if all three get declared. That said, I reckon all three have a good squeak, so I thought I'd try and preview the experiment on this thread.
Trust me, if I was here to spout serious shite, I would have gone on the Trump/Harris thread!
I may be wrong, but I think they are targeting the Flying Five at the Curragh the weekend after.Reckon Believing ran a massive race in the Nunthorpe considering the trip was below her optimum.
Said previously that she'd net a gp1 this year,and Saturday's Sprint Cup is right up her street.
Took the 10/1 which is available generally.
Thanks,R - the stiff 5f would make sense,but Haydock's sharp 6 would be ideal.I may be wrong, but I think they are targeting the Flying Five at the Curragh the weekend after.
You are not wrong,Robicheaux.Unfortinately, I was.I may be wrong, but I think they are targeting the Flying Five at the Curragh the weekend after.
David Allan is booked for Manila on Sunday. Looking like that's where he'll run.I'm trying to find the right one for the Portland on Saturday. A few have several entries, so any bets ante post I'd keep small.
Rumstar was disappointing last time in a small runner field. Maybe the Stewards Cup took something out of him. Maybe not. Pocklington was mentioned after his last run as an eyecatcher by a few forum members, including Barjon, (where is Barjon by the way, hope he's okay).
Secret Guest has an interesting profile, improved massively last time, and he'll need to again to land this. Archduke Ferdinand is in the form of his life. I know him as he did me a good turn at Newmarket. I doubt he'll make the cut, and this is probably too big an ask anyway.
One horse who I think should scrape in the handicap off a low weight now rated in high 80s is Manila Scouse. This one improved in 2023. There's signs on a going day that he is still a horse with potential. Admittedly this season he's been a win or finish nowhere type, but during one of those wins he beat the future St Wilfred winner Dare To Hope which was good form. He then beat a fair horse on his day called Radio Goo Goo.
50s with Hills seems a huge price even ante post. Manilla might be better placed in the handicap the next day on Sunday at Doncaster truth be told, especially after his recent poor efforts. I'm keeping an eye on where he goes anyway.
Portland looks a nightmare to me - was looking at Equilateral, maybe 5 and a half will really suit him.
Mistral Star tomorrow been declared, I'm also on Magnum Force in the Flying Childers.
Dunno.BJ - there's a suspicion the higher drawn horses were advantaged by coming off a strong pace,whereas Tropical Storm was un the van throughout and,though he's up in grade,there's little to suggest he can't do the same here.Back in the camp and firing on four cylinders, albeit intermittentlugy . Been waiting impatiently for Magnum Force after York where I thought he was really unlucky “Magnum Force was drawn in the car park and made his way over to the favoured side only to be denied a clear run for ages when it mattered. Finished very strongly and probably best of all when clear , but couldn’t quite catch the winner.” GL.
Say 3m over 1000?Dunno.BJ - there's a suspicion the higher drawn horses were advantaged by coming off a strong pace,whereas Tropical Storm was un the van throughout and,though he's up in grade,there's little to suggest he can't do the same here.
I'm thinking of forgiving Rumstar that last effort. I still think he's a danger to all.I'm trying to find the right one for the Portland on Saturday. A few have several entries, so any bets ante post I'd keep small.
Rumstar was disappointing last time in a small runner field. Maybe the Stewards Cup took something out of him. Maybe not. Pocklington was mentioned after his last run as an eyecatcher by a few forum members, including Barjon, (where is Barjon by the way, hope he's okay).
Secret Guest has an interesting profile, improved massively last time, and he'll need to again to land this. Archduke Ferdinand is in the form of his life. I know him as he did me a good turn at Newmarket. I doubt he'll make the cut, and this is probably too big an ask anyway.
One horse who I think should scrape in the handicap off a low weight now rated in high 80s is Manila Scouse. This one improved in 2023. There's signs on a going day that he is still a horse with potential. Admittedly this season he's been a win or finish nowhere type, but during one of those wins he beat the future St Wilfred winner Dare To Hope which was good form. He then beat a fair horse on his day called Radio Goo Goo.
50s with Hills seems a huge price even ante post. Manilla might be better placed in the handicap the next day on Sunday at Doncaster truth be told, especially after his recent poor efforts. I'm keeping an eye on where he goes anyway.