It wouldn’t the best weekend of flat racing in the calendar but there are winners to be found and we begin our Saturday preview at Newmarket.
1.35 Newmarket
ENDEARED travelled well but failed to get home over seven furlongs at Chester last time when I think he was at a disadvantage racing nearest to the rail after a long season and on rain softened ground.
The winner – Frankness – has since defied a penalty back on the Roodeye and I believe the James Fanshawe trained juvenile will appreciate the return to six furlongs. The selection receives 7lbs from the unbeaten Charyn who created a favourable impression when scoring at Haydock on debut and his entries in the Mill Reef and Dewhurst powerful Roger Varian yard.
Recommendation: Endeared at 3/1 with 10Bet
3.50 Newmarket
SAM COOKE is 3lbs better off with Soapy Stevens for the three-quarters of a length that separated them at the July meeting here last time. For much of his racing career the selection was considered to need soft ground, but he won at York on fast ground last August before running well in defeat on soft ground in the autumn.
Ralph Beckett’s 6-y-old has only raced three times this term having been pulled out of a valuable Goodwood handicap last month. He should be fresher than most although Traila – who has his first start for David Simcock today –only had three career starts for Sir Michael Stoute and cost 82,000 gns at the sales last month. I am surprised he has been put in as market leader although he remains open to further improvement.
Recommendation: Sam Cooke EW at 11/2 with William Hill
2.25 Goodwood
I was disappointed with the finishing effort of RHOSCOLYN over a mile at York on fast ground last time but all four of his career wins have come over today’s 7f trip – including over track and trip – and the return to soft ground is also considered a plus.
He has been dropped 3lbs since York although he was claimer ridden on the Knavesmire. David O’Meara also saddles Orbaan who has the beating of the each way recommendation on York and previous Goodwood form and has good, if not winning, form on soft ground. He looks a worthy favourite, but I must give Rhoscolyn another chance with the change in underfoot conditions.
Recommendation: Rhoscolyn EW at 15/2 with William Hill 4 places
4.45 Goodwood
Precisely has done us a couple of favours this summer and she is only 4lbs higher than when scoring at Ffos Las last time although she was claimer ridden on that occasion and is, arguably, 9lbs higher this afternoon.
CITY STREAK is quietly progressive although he was readily brushed aside by Cormier – runs Hamilton Friday night – at Chester last time and is 2lbs higher in the weights. Although he is a half-brother to stayer Quickthorn this 10f trip looks his optimum distance and all ground comes alike. Jason Watson has built up a good relationship on Andrew Balding’s 3-y-old and he is again in the plate this afternoon.
Recommendation: City Streak at 5/2 with William Hill
2.40 Beverley
Tis Marvellous won the Beverley Bullet12 months ago and he is a worthy market leader for this afternoon’s renewal but if KORKER breaks on terms then I do believe he will be tough to beat but I appreciate that is a big IF.
No three-year-old has won the corresponding race in the last decade but I am a big fan of Karl Burke’s gelding who was a late withdrawal at Nottingham recently on account of the firm ground. Today’s good ground should be ideal and, if breaking anywhere near on terms, I do feel he will be tough to beat.
Recommendation: Korker at 9/2 with Boylesports
6.05 Windsor
INJAZATI is a 4-y-old I highlighted as one I wanted to be with when the rains arrive, and conditions were described as soft at Windsor on Friday ahead of their twilight card. This extended 1m 3f trip looks ideal although he has never won beyond 10f, and he has been off the track since disappointing at Pontefract on his reappearance.
Cresta will appreciate the return to soft ground and the classic generation have won two of the last three renewals of this listed contest. He must go close and is learning to settle better with experience, but I just favour the Charlie Fellowes-trained 4-y-old who gets the each way vote.
Recommendation: Injazati at 5/1 EW with William Hill
