The ITV (4) cameras are at Newmarket, York and Chepstow for a wonderful day’s racing.
3.00 Newmarket
SACRED looked to have the world at her feet when landing the Nell Gwyn Stakes over today’s C&D last spring, but failed to get a mile in the Guineas and had been a shade disappointing this season before bouncing back to her very best at Newbury last time.
Purplepay and Pogo should ensure a decent test at the trip and I do feel this is Sacred’s race to lose. The filly has never won back-to-back in her career but her listed win at Newbury last time was visually very impressive, and she has her optimum underfoot conditions with any rain likely to hit the track after racing.
Recommendation: Sacred at 13/8 with Bet365
The unbeaten Commissioning is impossible to oppose in the Fillies’ Mile although she makes little appeal at her prohibitive odds.
4.10 Newmarket
There is more to come from the lightly raced Educator, but he is not guaranteed on breeding to appreciate the step up to 12f for the first time and Tom Marquand would surely have had the pick of him and stablemate LA YAKEL and it is the latter who gets the vote for William Haggas.
The selection is 9lbs worse off with First Ruler – including jockey allowances – for the length he finished in front of the Godolphin runner at Ascot, but I do feel the selection is a powerful resolute galloper who will get further next term.
First Ruler is drawn in stall one and could easily get a soft lead under William Buick, but I am still not convinced about his stamina over a mile-and-a-half and hope to see La Yakel run him down on the uphill run to the line.
Simply Sondheim and Caius Chorister have made their way through the handicap this year, but the former is unproven at the trip and the latter may be high enough in the weights although the booking of Olivier Peslier – his sole ride on the card – certainly catches the eye.
Recommendation: La Yakel EW at 9/2 with Skybet 6 places or 10Bet 5 places
3.50 York
William Haggasalso has a strong hand in the valuable handicap for three-year-olds over the Ebor trip with Post Impressionist and Nathanael Greene who has not been out since beating subsequent St Leger third Giavellotto at Haydock in a similar type of event on soft ground back in July.
His subsequent absence is a slight concern, but he will appreciate the forecast rain, has a good low draw for one who likes to race prominently and is open to further improvement after just six career starts.
The Gadget Man did us a favour at Yarmouth last time, but he looked a thorough stayer on that occasion and a return to two miles is likely to see him in a better light. The each way recommendation, however, goes to DOUBLE CHERRY who is 7lbs better off with Nathanael Greene for the 5L he was behind the market leader at Haydock but is double the price and showed his wellbeing when scoring at Haydock last time. Sean Levey has an unbeaten record – 2 from 2 – on Tom Ward’s gelding who is another who looks well drawn in stall two.
Recommendation: Double Cherry EW at 7/1 with William Hill 5 places
1.35 Chepstow
Cloth Cap is still 6lbs higher than when landing the Ladbrokes Trophy, a couple of years ago but he has his first start in a Veterans’ Chase this afternoon, will love the ground, has gone well fresh in the past and is a worthy market leader for Jonjo O’Neill.
At his pomp he would easily give 6lbs to SOME CHAOS, but the latter won this corresponding race 12 months ago from a 2lbs higher mark, is best fresh and represents the yard of Michael Scudamore who had a welcome winner at Uttoxeter on Sunday.
The Mighty Don is another to consider in a terrific race for these old warriors who have given us so much joy – and heartache – over the years.
Recommendation: Some Chaos EW at 9/2 with Paddy Power
5.45 Newcastle
CITIZEN GENERAL improved for the switch to tapeta when scoring over C&D last time from just a 4lbs lower mark andis taken to reverse previous polytrack form with Gliding Bay on this surface.
The filly Graph is bred to be smart, and she showed more on her handicap debut when not beaten far from a 2lbs higher mark at Southwell on her handicap debut. A market move for the Charltons’ daughter of Frankel would be significant although I’m not convinced she will have the stamina for this test.
Recommendation: Citizen General at 7/2 with William Hill
