Friday
The 2.40 at York today looks a competitive event and it’s the unexposed horses who seem to be attracting the attention and although my selection is unexposed to a certain extent too, he doesn’t look an obvious type on paper. FISHABLE is a very useful horse on his day as he proved last year when he quickly developed into a high level handicapper after a handful of runs. As he enters his second full season in training he threatens to be even better and his return at Ripon was full of promise. The winner has since gone on to frank the form in no uncertain terms and the 3rd and 5th have also tasted success since. My selection travelled into the race sweetly but just tired late on, clearly needing the run. He should be spot on for this and I am very sweet on his chance.
York 2.40 – Fishable
Saturday
The action comes thick and fast on Saturday and I’ve got a staggering 7 tips. The London Gold Cup is one of my favourite races of the year and it’s a race that always works out well so notebooks at the ready. RIVER ALWEN is the proven classy sort in the race and I think Jamie Spencer and this horse are a match made in heaven. His win at Newmarket the last day went a little bit under the radar as I thought he did remarkably well to reel in the front runner. I think you can mark that performance up a good bit and if granted a good pace to run at here I think he will be bang there at the end.
One who could be absolutely thrown in is KING FRANKEL who looks dangerously weighted at the bottom of the racecard for a trainer who does remarkably well in this race. His form is very hard to weigh up as he hasn’t met a great deal and hasn’t beat a great deal. Therefore the handicapper can hardly be blamed for allotting him 82 but come Saturday afternoon that may look incredibly lenient.
The Lockinge looks at the mercy of Palace Pier but with such value amongst the rest of the field I’m going to have to fire a few bullets at those at a price. First up is LORD GLITTERS who has been in fine form in Dubai over the winter and could be suited by this stiff mile. He loves to come off a fast pace and this long straight will certainly play to his strengths so he looks dangerously over priced at 28/1.
I’ll also have a dart at SAFE VOYAGE who is a real trustworthy type. John Quinn is bound to have him tuned up for his first major assignment of the season and he has gone well fresh in the past. One day age will catch up with him but I haven’t seen anything to suggest it has done yet.
Over at Newmarket I have to tip TASMAN BAY who is one of my horses to follow this year although I do have doubts over the track. Sir Mark Todd seems to have unearthed a real gem with this horse and his form has been advertised with Hurricane Lane winning the Dante earlier this week. However, this horse is a real beast and the undulations of Newmarket aren’t sure to suit but the prospect of soft ground should help his chance. If he handles the track I think he wins.
Finally up at Thirsk I think GOOD LUCK FOX is worth another chance despite letting favourite backers down at Wetherby last time out. I’m not a huge fan of the flat track at Wetherby as it does throw up funny results so I’m willing to forgive him for that effort. Thirsk is a track which does suit sharp, front running horses so with that in mind he could be seen in a better light on Saturday.
LITTLE JO is a horse who needs no introduction and he looks to be lurking on a winning mark again. He pulled well clear of fourth last time out at Beverley in a race which had a strong look to it and a repeat of that performance should see him go close here.
Newbury 3.00 – River Alwen
- King Frankel
Newbury 3.35 – Lord Glitters
- Safe Voyage
Newmarket 2.05 – Tasman Bay
Thirsk 1.35 – Good Luck Fox
Thirsk 2.10 – Little Jo
