Racing Ahead’s resident tipster Ben Morgan gives his best bets from Sandown and Haydock across the weekend.
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Friday
Sandown 3.00 – Hannon’s Haatem to surprise again
HAATEM has always been underrated, but it doesn’t stop him from performing.
A busy two-year-old season where he ended up looking a little exposed I think is the main reason why he doesn’t get the credit he deserves, but if you were to look at his 3 year old career separately, then you have to admit we are talking about a serious horse.
A Craven winner who placed in strong editions of the English and Irish Guineas finally got his day in the Sun at Royal Ascot by winning the Jersey.
Not seen since, he arrives at Sandown today off a fair break, but Richard Hannon has gone on record saying he has his charge pretty straight for this assignment and given his consistent profile, I think he will be there or thereabouts in a competitive race.
I couldn’t believe you could back him at 13/2 on Wednesday evening, but the 9/2 still available now is more than fair.
Sandown 4.45 – Muir to Moonwalk in Sandown winners enclosure?
I certainly wouldn’t put it past William Muir to attempt the dance move made famous by Michael Jackson in the 80s if his returning 3-year-old MOON SNIPER was to do the business this afternoon.
Opening up at 33/1 I think he was criminally overpriced for a horse who finished second in one of the hotter 2-year-old races of last season here at Sandown.
That run behind Dividend looks strong form now and although he didn’t have much chance to prove himself better than that after that, I can certainly make a case for him being better than a mark of 79.
His yard won this with a big price runner 2 years ago and they have also saddled a 33/1 winner in recent weeks despite not sending many out so far so there is plenty of reasons to believe this lad can outrun his lengthy odds.
Saturday
Haydock 2.00 – Battle of Haydock could be my last
I said this about 3 times last season, but I do mean it this time when I say this is last chance saloon time for INTO BATTLE.
Ed Walker’s charge sucked me in so many times last season and although he didn’t win he always gave me enough reason to back him again.
I’ve got to be harsher with him this year, especially in this race tomorrow at Haydock as this looks one of the weaker contests he has run in and if he can’t win this off 80 he will never make up into the horse that I think he is.
Ground conditions should be perfect, maximum assistance from the saddle and seemingly no lurkers down the bottom of the weights I really hope tomorrow is his day.
Haydock 4.55 – Early season eye catcher to follow in stablemate’s footsteps
CAJOLE was one of my early season eye catchers at Newbury finishing a closing 4th at Newbury having come from an unpromising position.
Being by Dubawi out of Persuasive, she was always going to catch some attention on debut but an educational ride should tee her up nicely going forwards.
John Gosden used this race for Nashwa as she shed her maiden tag here and I would like to think that this filly’s placement here isn’t just a coincidence.
If she can win like Nashwa did that day I will be very happy.
