A below par Saturday afternoon, with the Ebor meeting just around the corner, provides only a few opportunities to build your ‘kitty’ for the Knavesmire. One of the best bets of the weekend, providing he is on the right side of the draw, is SUMMERGHAND in the Great St Wilfrid. He needs no introduction as he has been a grand old servant to all of us down the years and he looks to have been primed for a profitable end to the season. A staying on fourth at York last time out was encouraging given the winner went on to win the Stewards Cup after, a race in which the selection was withdrawn at the start. He is definitely the classiest horse in this race; it’s just whether he is on the right side of the track. Fingers crossed he is.
Down at Newbury I fancy Richard Hannon to have a good day and his unexposed 3 year old CLASSIC looks to have a good chance in the 1m handicap at 3.00. It was one of the first times he put it all together last time at Sandown and it paid dividends. The form has worked out with the second coming out and almost landing a double at Glorious Goodwood and the 5th has also gone on and won. There should be more to come and I don’t think he would have to improve too much to feature here.
The Hungerford is an open race this year and it normally pays to look for the 7f specialists which CHINDIT probably isn’t but his record fresh is exceptional and Hannon looks to have primed for a crack at this. He certainly deserves a big race success after being the bridesmaid one too many times in his career and the step down in grade might just help him get his head in front.
Ripon 3.15 – Summerghand
Newbury 3.00 – Classic
Newbury 3.35 – Chindit
