The horse racing broadcaster offers his selections for a quieter Saturday of racing, along with an update to his stable of tracked horses.
A quieter week after the excitements of York, and ITV coverage is spread across three meetings: Sandown, Beverley and Chester.
At Sandown, most eyes will be on Tamfana in the Atalanta Stakes at 13:50 and impressive Newmarket winner Field of Gold in the Solario at 15:35, a race John Gosden has targeted in recent seasons with the likes of Kingman and Too Darn Hot. Both clearly have leading chances but have not been missed in the betting markets, and greater value looks to lie away from the feature races.
The first horse of interest is LYNDON B
11/2
(13:50 Sandown), who signalled a return to form a couple of starts ago at the track before looking a good thing beaten at Newbury last time, where he would surely have won had he got clear passage. He has dropped to an excellent mark and has won twice at Sandown in the past.
At Beverley, DEMOCRACY DILEMMA
9/2
(14:05 Beverley) can hopefully put his blistering speed to good use in the Bullet. If he can jump slickly, he can dictate matters on the rail and hopefully will have enough to last home up the hill. The extra yardage looked to find him out at York and the drop back to exactly 5f here will help.
REVICH
17/2
(14:40 Chester) isn’t always the easiest to catch right but looks overpriced at a track where he often runs well. The stronger the pace the better, and his stable are as in good a form as they have been all season. A mark of 91 is lower than when placed off 95 in the race last season on his way to a regular assignment at Ayr’s Western Meeting in a couple of weeks’ time. He is one to keep an eye on.
The turns of Chester could suit CAIUS CHORISTER
5/2
(15:15 Chester), who has her sights lowered at Listed level here having run at Group 2 level last time. She was a little keen that day and James Doyle may just seek a bit of cover early behind Fairbanks. She has not quite hit the heights of last season but the yard is in good heart and this looks an ideal spot to regain the winning thread.
Away from the main action, AMONGST THE STARS
/
(19:40 Chelmsford) would be an appropriate winner of the Fireworks Spectacular Sunday 3rd November Handicap. She has been brought along steadily and showed her first real form on her handicap bow last time at Yarmouth. She steps up in trip again, but it is more the penny beginning to drop that is the main reason for the confidence and she can gain her first victory here.
JOCKEYS FOR COURSES
Riders in action at tracks where they have a good career record in terms of winners ridden compared to market expectation.
Beverley: Joe Fanning (154/923, A/E 1.15) has four rides including Bamburgh (16:20), who will be bidding to give the short-priced favourite Amphius a scare.
Lingfield (AW): Darragh Keenan (41/352 A/E 1.40) has four rides, the pick of which looks to be My Awele (19:25), who he rode to victory last time on her handicap debut.
Newton Abbot: Jonathan Burke (13/46 A/E, 1.69) has only one ride on the card, United Front (17:05), who makes his handicap debut off what looks a reasonable mark.
STABLE TRACKER UPDATE
Last week’s runners:
The Strikin Viking (0, 7/2). Disappointed running too freely and dropping out. Two more runs left.
Enfjaar (0, 4/1). Raised in class and got trapped wide. Partial excuses here. Also two runs left.
Tropical Storm (First, 5/2). Was suited by the drop back in trip having gone too hard at Goodwood. Removed now he has won.
Indian Creak (0, 7/2). Remains well handicapped. Race developed a little away from him and rail was not the benefit anticipated because of the rain. Still two chances left.
Ultramarine (Second, 6/1). Ran well in defeat back of her favoured All Weather and will remain of interest. Two runs left.
Glamour Show (Third, 2/1). Was too keen and exits having placed on all three of her runs without winning. Could have been placed better and one that got away.
Additions are a bit thin on the ground this week after a few days away this week to tick off another European football stadium – Bilbao is highly recommended! – means we’re a bit behind on the replays.
One that is added is VINTAGE CLARETS, who had little go right for him at York, being hampered at the start and drawn on the wrong side. He is better than the form suggests. He came into his own on soft ground late last season and if connections are patient and wait for the rain he can do so again.
AGAINST THE WIND will be well suited by dropping back down to 5f after running well for a long way in the Sales race over 6f. Left on a mark of 86 he can win a good grade nursery where the emphasis is on speed.
Released: Tropical Storm, Glamour Show
Added: Vintage Clarets, Against The Wind
COLUMN PERFORMANCE 2024
Selections: 45/46.18, A/E 0.97
Stable Tracker: 23/25.11, A/E 0.92
Jockeys For Courses: 46/47.11, A/E 0.98
Overall: 114/118.40, A/E 0.96
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