The Old Newton Cup is the big betting race at Haydock Park this weekend and in the opening salvos, Shraaoh (5/1 from 6/1 at BetVictor) has been the one for money for Sir Michael Stoute. The four-year-old was backed as if defeat was out of the question at Epsom on his comeback but he didn’t seem to act on the track at Haydock’s flatter track should suit with Andrea Atzeni booked in Dettori’s continued absence.
Rain was forecast to hit Perth yesterday and the ground is likely to be on the soft side of good for the opening card of Perth’s two-day meeting and in the 2m Handicap Chase I hope Martiloo (2.40) can break her maiden tag for Pauline Robson having run with promise on both starts of late. The selection will have something to aim at with Welcome Ben having made all from a 9lbs lower mark last time.
The £15,000 Kilmany Cup is the feature and Baileys Concerto is interesting returning to 3m having looked in need of a step back up in trip at Aintree last time. The form of the Dianne Sayer yard is a concern, however, and he is reluctantly overlooked despite very good C&D form from a 7lbs higher mark last June.
Pantxoa (3.40) will appreciate going right-handed and Paddy Brennan takes over in the saddle for Fergal O’Brien. The 10-year-old is unlikely to get a soft lead with Always On The Run in the field but if he gets into a good rhythm, he must go close off what looks a very fair mark.
Beat That (3.30) made a highly encouraging chase debut when runner up at Uttoxeter and this lightly-raced nine-year-old can win the Novice Chase for Nicky Henderson. A dual Grade 1 winner over timber the selection lost little in defeat and he can beat Gordon Elliot’s Fagan who finished runner up in the Albert Bartlett at the 2016 Cheltenham Festival.
At Worcester Murray Mount (2.20) would be an appropriate winner with the Wimbledon Champion on court this afternoon in his second round tie. The selection carries a 7lbs penalty for a fluent success over C&D ten days ago and is taken to follow up despite the steadier of 12st 1lb.
Celestial Path (4.20) is fitted with a tongue-tie as well as a hood but this talented flat animal will surely go very close if he settles back at the minimum trip for Tom Scudamore and David Pipe. The selection is rated 100 on the level albeit over a mile and he won’t get many better opportunities to break his duck over hurdles.
James Bowen takes off a valuable 8lbs in the Conditional Jockey’s Hurdle for his dad Sean aboard Get Home Now (5.20) who may not have got home over three miles at Uttoxter last time. The 9-y-old is very well treated on his best form and today’s fast ground should suit.
At Fairyhouse Mick Halford fits Rehana (6.50) with a hood for the first time as his filly drops back in trip having disappointed in the Irish 1000 Guineas when last seen back in May. The fact that the filly went off just 6/1 for the classic shows she is held in some regard and she would appreciate today’s forecast good ground. Do note there is the outside chance of a heavy shower – significant rain would compromise her chances.
At Kempton Hersigh (9.10) looked as if she would appreciate a return to an all-weather surface when running a decent race over a mile at Yarmouth last time. Both her wins have come on an artificial surface and I like backing three-year-olds against their elders at this time of the flat season.
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