The Brigadier

Newmarket 1.50 With the defection of Kinesiology we have just four runners in the first of just four races covered by the ITV cameras in the Group 3 1M 5F Bahrain Trophy Stakes for three year olds only. The warm favourite and most likely winner is the Godolphin colt Ancient Wisdom who will love the soft ground having won twice in the mud last autumn. This season started with a respectable second spot in the Dante at York behind Economics before a very disappointing eighth of 16 in the Epsom Derby when stepped up in trip. On official ratings he’s rated 6lb and more better than his three rivals and anything over Evens looks worth a bet. Space Legend had Royal Supremacy just under 2L behind when runner up in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot and having won his maiden earlier in the season on soft ground can confirm that form and chase home Ancient Wisdom. ANCIENT WISDOM 2 points win @ 11/10 bet365 ANCIENT WISDOM & HAMISH 1 point win double 11/10 & 6/5 BetVictor Newmarket 2.25 Another small field of just six have declared for the Group 2 July Stakes run over 6F for two year old colts and geldings. The only horse in the race who has encountered soft ground is the Aidan O’Brien trained favourite Whistlejacket. He was reportedly the O’Brien banker at Royal Ascot following an impressive listed win at The Curragh in May over 5F but was slightly disappointing when only fourth (beaten 1 1/4L) in the Norfolk Stakes when heavily backed going off a shade of odds on. Now upped in trip and back on softer ground he’s worth giving another chance to with Ryan Moore doing the steering. The other five all have to prove they can handle soft ground with potentially Kevin Ryan’s Windsor Castle winner at Royal Ascot Ain’t Nobody the biggest threat to the favourite. WHISTLEJACK 1 point win @ 7/4 bet365 Newmarket 3.00 Easily the most competitive race of ITV’s quartet of races today is the sixteen runner three year old handicap run over 6F worth £100,000 guaranteed. There’s not too much soft ground form available but one horse that is proven on it is the Richard Fahey trained Tropical Island who won as a juvenile on soft and following a 245 day absence ran a highly promising sixth (beaten 4 1/2L) to James Delight (won listed race last weekend in France) in one of the best three year old sprint handicaps of the season at York last month. He travelled like a dream that day but weakened half a furlong out finishing 1 1/4L behind one of today’s favourites in Elmonjed. That was however his first run of the season and now one pound better off may turn the tables on his rival. He does have a tendency to start slowly so it’ll be fingers crossed when the gates open but he looks good each way value in an open handicap. Best outsider may turn out to be the Roger Varian trained Moswaat who has soft ground form as a juvenile and may outrun his odds. TROPICAL ISLAND 1 point each way @ 8/1 bet365 1/5th 12345 Newmarket 3.35 Just the six run in the Group 2 Princess Of Wales’s Stakes over 1M 4F. The highest rated in the field is William Haggas’s Hamish who loves soft ground so the recent cloud bursts have been very much in his favour. He arguably ran his best ever race when a one length runner up in the Group 1 Coronation Cup at Epsom at the Derby meeting to Luxembourg and he’ll be a hard one to beat here. Harry Charlton’s Time Lock was behind the selection at Epsom and looks held whilst Yorkshire Cup winner Giavellotto has to shoulder a 3lb penalty for that victory and is dropping in trip. John & Thady Gosden’s Arrest looks the biggest threat to Hamish as he also appears to adore soft ground but was a tad disappointing at Chester last time. HAMISH 2 points win @ 6/5 BetVictor

Update:- The ground has gone soft at Sandown following 16mm overnight and further showers likely. Great idea again to put 8mm of water on the course earlier in the week! I wouldn't want to be with Perotto now who it seems is a fast ground horse (Ryan Moore stated he doesn't want soft in his Betfair column) and having backed him at the 48 hour stage can only hope he's pulled out this morning. The other three selections at Sandown should handle the mud and there's a couple of mudlarks in the last two races that I think are worth backing in a each way double. ASHARIBA (4.12) and DAMBUSTER (4.47). Good Luck today all.

Sandown 1.50 Ten speedsters run in the first of seven races covered by the ITV cameras this afternoon for the 5F Group 3 Coral Charge. Adam West’s Live In The Dream is the highest rated but was last time when flopping at Haydock so I’ll be looking elsewhere for the likely winner. Three of these ran in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot with Henry Candy’s Twilight Calls finishing the best of the trio in sixth just 1/2L ahead of Ed Walker’s Makarova with last year’s winner Equality way back in last place. Candy has yet to have a winner this season and it may pay to look elsewhere with the rapidly improving Desperate Hero looking decent each way value. Jack Channon’s four year old has looked good in winning handicaps at Goodwood (heavy) and Hamilton (good) over the minimum trip and with just 9lb to find with the top rated can run well under Callum Rodriguez who was in the saddle last time. DESPERATE HERO 1 point each way @ 9/2 bet365 1/5th 123 Haydock 2.05 A field of fourteen have declared for this competitive looking 1M 6F three-year-old handicap. William Haggas has an excellent record in this race having won it three of the last four years and with his stable in as good a form now as at any time of the season can score with his lightly raced Sea The Stars colt Dramatic Star. An easy winner of a Hamilton maiden last time he enters handicaps off of what appears to be a fair mark of 87 with the step up 3F looking sure to suit. DRAMATIC STAR 1 point win @ 10/3 bet365 Sandown 2.25 Just ten have declared for the 1M class 2 Coral Challenge Handicap but chances can be given to many. The only front runner in the race is Ed Bethell’s Port Lynas who will appreciate stepping back up in trip and if he can get over from his wide draw can run a big race. He may however be run down late on by last year’s winner Perotto. Trained at Newmarket by Roger Varian, he’s 8lb higher this year but made a highly promising re-appearance when third in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot with Holloway Boy and Metal Merchant behind so with Ryan Moore booked he looks sure to run a big race in his usual hood. Back him each way with any firm paying four places. PEROTTO 2 points each way @ 9/2 Betfred 1/5th 1234 Haydock 2.40 The Group 2 Lancashire Oaks is run over 1M 4F and has attracted eight fillies or mares. Sir Mark Prescott’s Tiffany makes a quick turnaround having won the Group 3 Hoppings Fillies Stakes at Newcastle last week and as the highest rated in the field has major claims. The Gosden’s have won this race four times in the last ten years and are represented here by their four year old filly Queen Of The Pride who held off the re-appearing Lady Boba by a short head over course and distance last time in the Group 3 Pinnacle Stakes and can confirm that form under Oisin Murphy and take the first prize. QUEEN OF THE PRIDE 1 point win @ 4/1 William Hill Sandown 3.00 Nine three year old fillies go to post for the 1m listed Coral Distaff. Andrew Balding’s Clove Hitch was visually very impressive last time out when spread eagling her field at Newbury and looks sure to run well under Ryan Moore but she has 5lb to find with the top rated filly in the race, George Boughey’s Soprano and she’s the pick. She relished the step up to a mile under Billy Loughnane in the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot when beating Strutting by half a length and if in the same sort of form looks the one they all have to beat with Loughnane retaining the ride. SOPRANO 1 point win @ 2/1 BetVictor Haydock 3.15 A bumper maximum field of seventeen race for the 1M 4F bet365 Old Newton Cup Handicap, one of the most competitive middle distance handicaps in the calendar. Plenty can be given chances including the Andrew Balding Relentless Voyage who ran well in enough in group company last time and Roger Varian’s La Yakel although he hasn’t been seen since last October. The best value in the race may well lie with Eve Johnson Houghton’s Sheer Rocks. He may well have needed his run in the Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap at Royal Ascot when very easy to back and not being totally disgraced in finishing mid division in tenth place. A dual winner on different terrains last season he’s only 3lb higher than his last win and with additional places looks value each way under Callum Shepherd. SHEER ROCKS 1 point each way @ 14/1 bet365 1/5th 12345 Sandown 3.35 Just eight go to post for the feature race of the day, the £750,000 guaranteed Coral-Eclipse run over 10F where the classic generation take on their elders. It’s very hard to look past this year’s impressive Derby winner City Of Troy who represents Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. He’s officially rated 10lb and higher superior to his seven rivals and it will be a major shock were he not to win this dropping back in trip and enhance his trainers good record in the race having won it on two of the last three years with St Marks Basilica and Paddington. Clive Cox’s Ghostwriter who ran fourth in the French Derby last time is maybe the one to chase him home. A no bet race but one to watch and savour.

Newcastle 1.35 The first of five races covered by the ITV cameras is this 6F class 2 handicap which has attracted a maximum field of fourteen three-year-olds in a race that went to the classic generation last year in the shape of the re-appearing Batal Dubai trained by Harry Charlton. The best of that trio may well be the Craig Lidster trained Almarada Prince. He stepped forward from his previous runs when placing second in the valuable three year old handicap at York over 6F earlier this month. A 2lb rise may not be enough to stop him from being competitive here and he’s the pick with the 5lb claiming apprentice Ethan Jones taking over from William Pyle who also claims 5lb. One of the other three-year-olds Cross The Tracks can also go well off of bottom weight. Richard Spencer’s charge has form figures at the north eastern track of 121. ALMARADA PRINCE 1 point each way @ 13/2 William Hill 1/5th 1234 Newcastle 2.04 Eleven go to post for the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes, run over a distance of 6F. The highest rated in the race is the Ralph Beckett trained Kinross but he doesn’t have a great record fresh and maybe worth opposing today. Karl Burke has been having a fabulous season so far and it’s his Cold Case that takes my eye here. We haven’t seen him since finishing fourth in the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville last August but he’s proved he goes well fresh by winning the Commonwealth Cup Trial first time up last season at Ascot. Rated only 6lb behind Kinross he’s worth chancing on his all-weather debut as his dam was a dual winner at this very track. Back him with the firms (bet365, Skybet, Betfred) that are paying four places. COLD CASE 1 point each way @ 11/1 Betfred 1/5th 1234 Newmarket 2.15 The Empress Fillies’ Stakes is a listed race for two-year-old fillies only run over a trip of 6F and we have a field of thirteen today. There are plenty of lightly raced juveniles as you would expect with the two that take my eye being Karl Burke’s Teej A and Ralph Beckett’s Tales Of The Heart. The former is unproven on fast ground so the pick has to be Tales Of The Heart. She made a winning racecourse debut at Kempton on the all-weather earlier this month winning by a length. A 400,000 guineas yearling and a full sister to Flying Childers winner Caturra she will no doubt improve and can take this step up in class in her stride. TALES OF THE HEART 1 point each way @ 4/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 Newcastle 2.35 We have fourteen runners for the consolation race for the Northumberland Plate, the Northumberland Vase run over a trip of 2M 1/2F. Alphonse Le Grande was a good winner of the Chester Cup consolation race, the Chester Plate when in the care of Tony Martin who is suspended at present so the horse now runs in the name of Mrs C O’Leary. He has however been raised 9lb for that victory and although he has a big chance is hardly value at around the 3/1 mark. One horse who ran a stormer in this race last year when trying this trip for the first time and it must be said didn’t get the breaks so can even be deemed a bit unlucky is the Jim Goldie trained Faylaq. He finished a one length third that day and returns off of a 6lb lower handicap mark. He’s run well enough on the turf in four outings up to 1M 5F this season but in the hope the return to the longer trip proves in his favour is the value each way bet for a yard that couldn’t be in better form banging in a treble at Hamilton on Thursday night. FAYLAQ 1 point each way @ 10/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 Newmarket 2.50 A small but select field of just six go to post for this 1M 4F listed Fred Archer Stakes. Charlie Appleby’s King Of Conquest impressed when beating the re-opposing pair of Aimeric and Deauville Legend in a listed race at Goodwood earlier this month and despite being 3lb worse off with that pair can confirm the form and follow up under William Buick. Crystal Delight is an improver from the Harry Eustace stable and may be the one to chase the William Buick ridden five year old home. KING OF CONQUEST 1 point win @ 6/4 BetVictor Newcastle 3.10 The meeting’s feature race is the 2M 1/2F Northumberland Plate which has attracted a maximum field of twenty. Hugo Palmer’s Zoffee looks a definite player having had a few of these behind him when plundering the Chester Cup at their May meeting. He won the consolation race two years ago off of a 10lb lower mark but was soundly beaten last year. One horse who does come here in flying form is the Sir Mark Prescott trained Trooper Bisdee who’s won six of his ten career starts including six days ago at Pontefract when coasting home to win by 4L under Jack Gilligan. He will have to carry a 5lb penalty for that victory but is likely to go up more than that in future handicaps with Hollie Doyle taking over in the saddle. There are many others to consider including the likes of Andrew Balding’s Grand Providence and Michael Bell’s Duke Of Oxford who seems to like this track but I’m more than happy to stick with the very much in form Trooper Bisdee each way with additional places. TROOPER BISDEE 1 point each way @ 13/2 bet365 1/5th 12345 Newmarket 3.25 Another smallish field of just six for the feature race of the day at Newmarket, the 7F Group 3 Criterion stakes. Charlie Appleby can double up following, hopefully, King Of Conquest’s victory in the 2.50 with his six yer old Noble Dynasty who beat the subsequent dual winner English Oak in a handicap at the Rowley Mile course back in May. He may have most to fear from the 2022 winner (and 2023 third) Pogo who will love the fast conditions. NOBLE DYNASTY 1 point win @ 9/4 William Hill Newcastle 3.40 Twelve have declared for this valuable 7F 14 yard class 2 handicap. Newmarket handler James Tate has gone 26 runs and 34 days without a winner but his string does seem in form with several places over the past fortnight and can beak his barren spell with his Fastnet Rock colt United Approach who made a promising enough re-appearance following a 386 day break at Newbury last month. The handicapper has dropped him a couple of pounds for that run and this lightly raced four year old could be the one to be on if he handles the surface. Eldrickjones is three from seven here and is another at a price who could run well but I’m sticking with United Approach who should relish the step up to 7F for the first time under Connor Beasley. UNITED APPROACH 1 point each way @ 5/1 Quinnbet 1/5th 1234

Hope everyone had a good Royal Ascot, pretty poor by my high standards, getting plenty of value but just a handful of winners. As the old saying goes you can't eat value! Back to the more mundane racing next week but still plenty of winners to be found.

Ascot 2.30 The first race of the fifth and final day of Royal Ascot is the listed 7F Chesham Stakes for two year olds whose sires won a race over 1M 2F or further. The pick may be Aidan O’Brien’s Bedtime Story who looked a fine prospect on her racecourse debut at Leopardstown only 16 days ago. The grey beat odds on stable mate Giselle that day who was a big word on course and with improvement to come looks sure to run well here. It doesn’t look the strongest Chesham I’ve ever seen and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Raphael Freire trained newcomer Duke Of Monroth runs well on his debut. He cost $75,000 as a yearling but breezed well when being sold for 260,000 euros at Arcana in May. Freire has been helping Dominic Fffrench-Davis with training at Amo Racing’s base in Lambourn and his newcomer in the Coventry Angelo Buonarroti was not disgraced in finishing 9th (beaten 3L) on his debut. He can run well at a price but the main selection is Bedtime Story. BEDTIME STORY 1 point win 9/4 bet365 DUKE OF MONROTH 1/4 point each way @ 16/1 Unibet 1/5th1234 Ascot 3.05 Nine older middle distance horses have declared for the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes run over 1M 4F. John & Thady Gosden’s Middle Earth beat subsequent Goodwood winner King Of Conquest by a nose in a tight finish on his re-appearance and is one of the principal players here although he may struggle to turn the form around with Aidan O’Brien’s Continuous who is making his seasonal re-appearance. He took the St Leger at Doncaster last September when he had Middle Earth some sixteen lengths back in seventh. He followed that up with a highly credible fifth in the Arc De Triomphe and is officially 5lb and upwards the best horse here. As long as he’s ready to go he’ll be hard to beat. CONTINUOUS 1 point win @ 13/8 bet365 Ascot 3.45 Fourteen speedsters run in the Group 1 6F Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes which it has to be said doesn’t look the classiest of renewals. Kinross is the joint highest runner among with Art Power in the race but we haven’t seen him this season and along with Art Power would prefer more give in the ground. Last year’s shock winner Khaadem has his conditions but showed little on his reappearance at York in May to suggest he can play a hand in the finish today. That York race was won by Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Mill Stream who looks a player today although better value may lie with the third that day in Kevin Ryan’s Washington Heights who didn’t get the run of the race but still finished within half a length of Mill Stream having beaten him 3/4L previously at Newmarket in the Abernant Stakes. The supplemented Shartash also has claims but in a open race it may pay to back Washington Heights each way. WASHINGTON HEIGHTS 1 point each way @ 14/1 Betfred 1/5th 1234 Ascot 4.25 A big field of twenty three-year-olds head to the Group 3 Jersey Stakes with the Irish 2000 Guineas second and third heading the market. Richard Hannon’s Haatem went down by a head to his stable mate and subsequent St James Palace winner Rosallion with the seasonal re-appearing Aidan O’Brien trained River Tiber 1 1/4L back in third. The latter is 3lb better off here and with the drop to 7F more likely to suit than the former is the pick here. River Tiber had options to run in the Commonwealth Cup but this looks his trip and with Ryan Moore on board looks sure to run a big race. The best of the rest and worth a small stakes each way saver is the Ralph Beckett trained Juddmonte owned Task Force. He actually finished a head ahead of River Tiber over 6F in the Middle Park stakes last season and having pulled hard probably didn’t stay when seventh in the 2000 Guineas on his re-appearance. RIVER TIBER 1 point win @ 7/4 bet365 TASK MASTER 1/2 point each way @ 12/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 Ascot 5.05 A maximum field of 28 have declared for the days cavalry charge, the 6F class 2 Wokingham Handicap which has a wide open look about it. Last year’s winner Saint Lawrence, runner up Apollo One, 3rd Juan Les Pins, 4th Mums Tipple and 11th Albasheer are all back to renew rivalry and have claims of sorts. The one horse I like however is the Clive Cox trained Harry Three who is a half a brother to the yard’s smart sprinter Diligent Harry. A smart three year old in 2022 who won two valuable handicaps and a listed race he ran as well as one could expect on his re-appearance having missed last season when fourth of six in a decent listed race at Salisbury. With that run behind him (and a drop of a pound) he looks likely to run well from a draw in stall 23 and the icing on the cake the booking of Ryan Moore who is unbeaten on two starts on him. He looks good value in a widely competitive handicap. HARRY THREE 1 point each way @ 18/1 Ladbrokes 1/5th 12345 Ascot 5.40 A maximum field of sixteen race around the round course here for the 10F Golden Gates Handicap for three year olds. The favourite is the Harry Charlton trained Hand Of God who should relish the step up to 10F having won a five runner 1M handicap at Sandown in April. He does seem short enough mind and value may well lie elsewhere. Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Primo Lara is chasing a hat trick of victories having scored at Chelmsford and York since going handicapping rising a stone in the weights. David Egan takes over from apprentice Johnny Peate today and can run a big race each way and looks value against the favourite. PRIMO LARA 1 point each way @ 14/1 bet365 1/5th 12345 Ascot 6.15 The last of thirty five races at the Royal meeting this year is the 2M 5 1/2F Queen Alexandra Stakes. Unless the heavens open it’s hard to fancy Trueshan, under a double penalty and Tashkhan who we haven’t seen for 237 days and is officially the highest rated of the fourteen runners. Last years winner Dawn Rising has claims under William Buick but it may be last years third Run For Oscar who takes the spoils this year round. Trained by the wily Irish handler Charles Byrnes he finished 2 3/4L behind Dawn Rising a year ago and is now 3lb better off. Byrnes has booked Frenchman Maxime Guyon to do the steering and represents good each way value. Aidan O’Brien saddles Queenstown who’s bumped into Kyprios twice this season in Ireland but is unproven at this extend distance. Make sure you find a firm who’s paying four places as not all are. RUN FOR OSCAR 1 point each way @ 5/1 Betfred 1/5th 1234

Ascot 2.30 Race one of day four begins with seventeen two year old fillies hurtling down the Ascot straight for the Group 3 Albany Stakes run over 6F. The two at the head of the market both seem to have solid claims with the Charlie Appleby trained Mountain Breeze just the pick over the Aidan O’Brien trained Fairy Godmother who won in Group 3 company at Naas last time out. Mountain Breeze is unbeaten in two starts at Newmarket, looking a horse to follow. She impressed when scooting clear of her field last time and even though that form hasn’t worked out she can only beat what’s in front of her and she can take this step up in grade in her stride under William Buick. An outsider who can run well is the Ollie Sangster trained Simmering who went off favourite on her racecourse debut when finishing third at York in a race where the winner, fourth and seventh have all won since. MOUNTAIN BREEZE 1 point win @ 10/3 Ladbrokes Ascot 3.05 The traditional 6F Group 1 Commonwealth Cup has attracted fifteen three year olds this season and the winner may be in the ownership of Sheik Mohammed Obaid as he has two live chances here in Karl Burke’s Elite Status, impressive in the enlisted Carnarvon Stakes at Newbury last time and Kevin Ryan’s Inisherin, who has been supplemented for this race having looked very good when dropping to 6F, having finished sixth over a mile in the 2000 Guineas, in the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock on soft ground by 3 3/4L. He should be fine on drier ground and looks the one to be on with Tom Eaves retaining the ride. INISHERIN 1 point win @ 9/4 bet365 Ascot 3.45 Just ten go to post for the Group 1 Coronation Stakes for three year old fillies run over the round mile. 1000 Guineas winner Elmalka, runner up Porta Fortuna and third Ramatuelle had only half a length split the trio and with the 8th Fallen Angel winning the Irish 1000 Guineas and 9th Dance Sequence running second in the Oaks is strong form. Any one of the trio could come out on top here but it’s the Aidan O’Brien trained Opera Singer who gets the vote. Arguably the best two year old filly in Europe last year winning the Prix Marcel Boussac by 5L on Arc De Triomphe weekend she apparently badly needed the run on her delayed re-appearance when finishing third (beaten 4 3/4L) to Fallen Angel in the Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh having had the worst of the draw as well. Sure to have improved considerably she looks a good bet to return to her smart juvenile form and give her trainer yet another winner at Royal Ascot with Ryan Moore in the saddle. OPERA SINGER 2 points win @ 7/4 Ladbrokes Ascot 4.25 A maximum field of nineteen have declared for the 1M 4F class 2 Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes Handicap in which you will need plenty of luck in running. The race may actually not be as competitive as the numbers suggest with six of the field coming back following a lay off. Willie Mullins got himself on the score card on Tuesday with Belloccio and his runner here Ethical Diamond, who has the assistance of Ryan Moore, looks the one to be with. He was having his first run on the flat for Mullins when going down by a nose to subsequent winner Saturn in a 10F Leopardstown handicap in May with the third that day also winning since. As a 1M 4F maiden winner at Limerick when in the care of Michael William O’Meara he will appreciate the two furlong longer trip and with a wide draw certainly not a dis-advantage in a big field over the past few years over this sort of trip looks the one to be with. ETHICAL DIAMOND 2 points win @ 11/4 Ascot 5.05 A bumper maximum field of thirty three-year-old fillies will line up for the class 2 Sandringham Stakes. Many have chances including the favourite Indelible who is making her handicap debut having won a strong Doncaster novice stakes three weeks ago. One horse who looks quite well treated on her handicap debut is the John & Thady Gosden trained Cat Ninja. She beat Clove Hitch half a length at Windsor on her penultimate outing at level weights and that one has gone on and bolted up at Newbury to attain an official mark of 102. Cat Ninja has been allotted a mark of 91 and despite getting beaten into second place by a well supported Roger Varian horse since at Kempton that was over 7F and she will love going back up to a mile so in a wide open handicap can give her jockey Kieran Shoemark a good ride from hopefully a decent draw in stall 29 on the stands side. She can be backed each way with additional places. CAT NINJA 1 point each way @ 25/1 Coral 1/5th 123456 Ascot 5.40 An open looking renewal of the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes is up next with Aidan O’Brien setting a poser saddling four runners. Ryan Moore appears to have picked Diego Velazquez who’s finished fourth and eighth in the French 2000 Guineas and French Derby this season. He may have picked wrong mind as Agenda may well have bumped into a good one last time when runner up the ill fated Hidden Law at Chester in the Chester Vase, going down by 3L with 7 1/2L back to the remainder. Dylan Browne McMonagle comes in for the ride which will hopefully help the price! It’s an open renewal with the French raider Calandagan and William Haggas trained Space Legend also having claims. AGENDA 1 point each way @ 7/1 Coral 1/5th 1234 Ascot 6.15 A maximum field of twenty eight have declared for the finale on day four. The 5F Palace Of Holyrood House Stakes is run over 5F and is open to three year old’s only. as you would expect the race has a wide open look about it although we will be getting extra places if we can find one to run well and hit the frame. Kevin Philippart De Foy’s Mukaafah can take a keen hold and may well be suited in dropping to the minimum trip and forcing the pace. He wore a first time hood when making all to win at Doncaster from subsequent winner Cool Dividend and a rise of 8lb may not be enough to stop him from running a big race again in a highly competitive handicap. Jim Crowley rides for his retained owners Shadwell Stud. MUKAAFAH 1 point each way @ 14/1 bet365 1/5th 123456

good luck @Outofluck and let us know how you get on

York 1.50 The first of four races covered by the ITV cameras at York is the Queen Mother’s Cup Handicap run over 1M 4F for female amateur riders. I’m not sure if the winning jockey still wins her weight in champagne but theres a fair monetary prize to the winner. A decent field of eighteen go to post and the one that catches my eye is Ralph Beckett’s Lord Melbourne who will be ridden by one of the more experienced jockeys here in Serena Brotherton who won this race back in 2014 on Pearl Castle. Lord Melbourne ran with plenty of promise on his first start for Beckett when despite finding plenty of trouble in running came home fifth behind Bolster in a decent 10F handicap at Epsom at the Derby meeting. The extra distance should suit and off of a 2lb lower mark (he was carrying 2lb overweight at Epsom) can reward an each way wager. LORD MELBOURNE 1 point each way @ 8/1 bet365 1/5 12345 Sandown 2.05 Another maximum field of sixteen this time have declared for the first of two races shown by the ITV cameras at Sandown today. Course specialist Dual Identity should run his usual game race with his course figures now reading 51211 but he is racing off of a career high mark and could do with some rain to ease the ground. Roger Teal has booked Oisin Murphy for his four year old Dancing Magic and he looks about ready to win now so is the selection. Although still a maiden after thirteen starts he has kept good company throughout his career and went close to winning at Chester in May when going down by 1 1/2L to Percys Lad. He did play up and was withdrawn at the start of a handicap at Epsom’s Derby meeting but with an ok draw in stall 9 today may, hopefully be his day. DANCING MAGIC 1 point each way @ 6/1 William Hill 1/5th 12345 York 2.25 A maximum field of twenty go to post for this 7F class 3 handicap which as you would expect has a wide open look about it. One horse who may be better than his current mark and arrives here in fine form is David O’Meara’s New Image who will be ridden today by 3L claiming apprentice Mark Winn.He should be chasing a hat trick as we desperately unlucky on his penultimate start when finding all the trouble going at Thirsk but made amends when a cosy winner a fortnight later at Mussleburgh. A 4lb rise in the weights looks fair to me and I expect another big run in an open looking handicap. NEW IMAGE 1 point each way @ 7/1 bet365 1/5 12345 Sandown 2.40 Eight have declared for this 5F listed Scurry Stakes with the leading principals likely to need some rain to ease the ground from the current fast conditions. There is rain forecast and so in that hope its the form horse Adaay In Devon who is the pick. Trained in Devon by Rod Millman she has already had a good start to the season in winning twice at Bath (the second victory in listed company) and has run well twice since in pattern company, going down by just over 4L to Elite Status at Newbury. She has to shoulder a 3lb penalty for her Bath listed victory but this looks a good race for her and as long as theres no jar in the ground looks the one to beat under Silvestre De Sousa. ADAAY IN DEVON 1 point win @ 9/4 Coral York 3.00 Just six have declared for the 1M 6F listed Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Grand Cup Stakes in which the winner will get a free guaranteed entry into the Ebor over course and distance back here in August. It’s hard to fancy Chesspiece the way he’s run this season but does sport first time blinkers here whilst last years third Divine Jewel has an 182 day absence to over come. Andrew Balding’s Relentless Voyager looked good when winning at handicap at the Epsom Derby meeting and is a player here although he had previously finished behind the Sir Michael Stoute trained Real Dream when third at Newmarket some 3 3/4L behind the latter and only 2lb better off here. Stoute has had a good season so far and Real Dream should run well although it seems a bit strange how Ryan Moore who’s ridden him on his last three starts has jumped off of him (presumably) to ride the William Haggas trained Klondike. He bumped into a very well handicapped horse in Crystal Delight on his seasonal re-appearance and with that run behind him is the pick here to small stakes. KLONDIKE 1 point win @ 10/3 bet365 Chester 3.20 The only race covered by terrestrial television at Chester today is this 7F 127 yard class 2 three year old handicap which has attracted a maximum field of fourteen. Many have chances but as with all Chester handicaps the draw will no doubt be important and it’s the David Evans trained Blue Prince who is the pick exiting from a decent stall of four. This will be his nineteenth career start but he seems as good as ever and had a couple of these behind him when running a fine third at Goodwood in a class 2 handicap last month, going down by 1 1/2L to Qirat. The handicapper has left him on the same mark and with luck in running the Richard Kingscote ridden colt can get amongst the prize money. BLUE PRINCE 1 point each way @ 8/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 York 3.35 The feature race of the day at York today is the 6F Churchill Tyres Supporting MacMillan Sprint Handicap for three year olds. It has a wide open look to it with many holding chances with the consistent Woodhay Wonder chasing a five timer and top weight James’s Delight among the market leaders. The horse that appeals to me as being well handicapped is the lightly raced Geoff Oldroyd trained Pocklington who is making his handicap debut off of a mark of 96. He followed up two victories over today’s trip of 6F at Newcastle on the all-weather (beating last year’s Coventry runner up Army Ethos in the latter) by taking on listed company in the Carnarvon Stakes at Newbury in May. Not surprisingly he failed to make an impact in that grade but finished fifth (beaten 5 1/2L) amongst horses rated in the early hundreds. He looked quite green that day and as it was only his third ever (and first on turf) start there may even be more improvement to come. He’s the only horse in the field with a future Group entry (next weeks Group 1 Commonwealth Cup) and looks each way value for his smaller yard with Harry Russell in the saddle. POCKLINGTON 1 point each way @ 9/1 Coral 1/5th 12345

Hi All, We've been nominated in two categories for the Smart Betting Club Awards. I'm honoured to have been nominated in the best free horse racing tipster category (up against some real industry heavyweights) whilst the Punters Lounge has been nominated for the best sporting website. If you could spend a couple of minutes to vote for us that would be much appreciated. https://t.co/mr9Trh0o7Z

Morning @Outofluck, These firms are so stringent nowadays I'm afraid that I can't see a way around your problem bar getting some form of photo ID.

Haydock 1.50 Just eight go here for this listed Achilles Stakes run over the minimum trip of 5F. Roger Teal’s Live In The Dream stands out and this represents a drop in class for the five year old who’s contested Group ones and two’s on his last four outings winning the Group 1 Nunthorpe at 28/1 last August at York. He ran very well on his seasonal re-appearance on ground that wouldn’t have suited and with conditions more in his favour here and having officially 6lb and upwards in hand of his field it will be a shock were he not to get himself back into the winners enclosure. George Boughey’s Believing may be the one to chase him home but this should be an easy victory for Sean Kirrane’s mount. LIVE IN THE DREAM 2 points win @ Evens bet365 Beverley 2.05 A big field for one of the two class 2 two year old contests today with fifteen juveniles declaring for this Hilary Needler Trophy run over the minimum trip of 5F. With the stalls on the inside it usually pays to be drawn in the low stalls and the selection has bagged stall 4. Tom Clover’s Over Spiced stepped forward for her Brighton fourth on her debut when leading a furlong out and sticking on to win by half a length in a Leicester maiden. That form looks relatively good now with both the runner up and third winning since and in an open looking race looks the each way pick under Joanna Mason who was on board last time. Adrian Nicholls’s Maw Lam made a winning debut from the re-opposing Mademoiselle and is drawn on the far rail in stall 1 but will need to get away quicker than she did that day or she could get cut off from the others. OVER SPICED 1 point each way @ 17/2 BetVictor 1/5th 1234 Haydock 2.25 A nine runner 1M 4F class 2 handicap is up next in which several can be given chances. Charlie Hills’s Maghlaak sports first time blinkers and could be interesting if forgetting his latest modest effort whilst David O’Meara’s Iron Lion could run well though like Maghlaak has to put a poor recent run behind him. One horse who arrives in good form is the Rae Guest trained filly Divina Grace who started the season well with a fine third at Goodwood a fortnight ago to Ayaad. Sure to have benefited from that run, her first for 230 days, she looks the pick here with Callum Shepherd taking over from Darragh Keenan. DIVINA GRACE 1 point each way @ 5/1 bet3651/5th 123 Beverley 2.40 Only six go to post for the latest renewal of the class 2 Two Year Old Trophy with the most intriguing runner in the race (and on the card) is the Wathnan Racing owned, Karl Burke trained newcomer Shareholder. Costing $62,000 as a yearling he must of breezed exceptionally well at the Arqana Breeze Up’s in France as he was bought for 460,000 euros by his wealthy owners only seven months later. James Doyle rides as the retained owner’s jockey and could, as they say, be anything. You can’t beat experience though so I will l take him on with the Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood trained Regal Gem who had his debut victory won over a furlong out when scoring at Pontefract a fortnight ago over 6F. He’s dropping back to the minimum trip under David Nolan and with improvement likely looks a value bet with the Richard Fahey trained Moving Force another to enter the equation following his course and distance victory 25 days ago for his very much in form yard. REGAL GEM 1 point win @ 9/2 BetVictor Haydock 3.00 The first of two Group 3’s on Haydock’s card today is the 1m 4F Lester Piggott Fillies’ Stakes which has attracted a bumper field of fourteen. William Haggas has won the last two renewals (three from the last five years) which is not surprisingly as his wife Maureen is the daughter of the legend Lester Piggott. He saddles an interesting runner here in the shape of the seasonal debutant Sea Theme who won two of her fours starts as a three year old at Doncaster and the listed Galtres Stakes at York. She will have to be part of the staking plan but the main bet will be with the Charlie Appleby trained four year old Sapphire Seas who won four on the bounce last season culminating in a listed success at Yarmouth in September. Runner up in a Group 2 at Meydan in February she contested a better race than this on her latest start when fourth of five in the Group 2 Middleton Stakes at York’s Dante meeting behind Bluestocking. She steps up a furlong and a half today which should suit and with a saver on Sea Theme looks the bet. SAPPHIRE SEAS 1 point each way @ 13/2 coral 1/5th 1234 SEA THEME 1/2 point each way @ 6/1 Coral 1/5th 1234 Beverley 3.15 A wide open class 4 7F 96 yard handicap completes the trio of races covered by the ITV cameras today at the Yorkshire track and has attracted a maximum field of sixteen. It has a wide open look about it although my two against the field are Michael & David Easterby’s Eligible ridden by Joanna Mason who found trouble in running when a 4 1/2L seventh to Riot at York last time and following a 2lb drop in the weights finds himself on a mark on the same mark as when he last won on the turf at York a year ago with the other one that interests me being the Craig Lidster trained Billyb. He too ran well in a big field York handicap last time, his first for 273 days and first for Lidster, when finishing fifth (beaten 3 1/4L) to Feel The Need and like Eligible is now back on a winning handicap mark. Slight preference of the pair would be for the former but both are worth backing to small stakes each way in a wide open modest handicap. ELIGIBLE 1 point each way @ 17/2 William Hill 1/5th 12345 BILLYB 1 point each way @ 10/1 BetVictor 1/5th 12345 Haydock 3.35 A dozen go to post for this Group 3 John Of Gaunt Stakes run over 7F. Officially there’s only 11lb between the field on ratings and several hold chances. The winners of the last two year’s are back to challenge for honours in the shape of Pogo and Jumby who both have each way claims. Charlie Appleby’s Noble Dynasty is stepping out of handicap company with his latest victory at Newmarket already boosted by the runner up English Oak bolting up since. He’s a player alongside Richard Fahey’s Ramazon who is the selection here. Fahey is in an unbelievable run of form at present and anything he saddles has to be given the upmost respect at present. Ramazon has finished runner up on his last four starts with his latest silver medal coming in the Victoria Cup at Ascot with the re-opposing Bless Him, Popmaster and Jumby behind and apparently held. He is two from two at the track and deserves to get his head in front with his yard in such superb form. RAMAZON 1 point each way @ 7/1 bet365 1/5th 123

Yes @MCLARKE it is a vital part of my tools to find winners so had no option tbh. I tried using attheraces’s comparison site but not in the same league I’m afraid.

Morning all, I'm pretty sure some of you have already seen it but our own @Darran has taken his time to talk about his career and angle on his punting with the excellent Simon Nott's 'Betting People' on X. Well worth a watch.

Epsom 1.25 The opener on Derby day is the 10F class 2 0-100 handicap for three year olds and represents the best bet of the day. Richard Hannon’s Persica has form with the 2000 Guineas winner Notable Speech on his penultimate run and wasn’t disgraced when fourth in the London Cup last time, traditionally a race that works out well so he should run well even from a high draw but it’s the Andrew Balding trained Portsmouth that has plenty in his favour. An impressive winner on his handicap debut over course and distance in April under today’s rider Oisin Murphy on good ground he followed that up with a decent 1L runner up to Lavender Hill at Goodwood on much softer ground ten days later.That form looks very good now with the winner going on and finishing fourth in a listed race at the same track and is now rated 20lb higher than when beating the selection. The 3rd and 4th have also won since so a 3lb rise for Portsmouth looks lenient to say the least. Nicely drawn in stall 1 and with Oisin Murphy back on board he looks a good wager. He did race a bit keenly last time so I’m hoping he’ll get some cover and pounce late. PORTSMOUTH 1 1/2 points each way 4/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 Epsom 2.00 Nine have declared for the Group 3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes run over a distance of 1M 113 yards. The best in at the weights is the John & Thady Gosden trained Running Lion and she looks the one they all have to beat. She has by all accounts been working all over Emily Upjohn at home so a bold run from her stable mate in the Coronation Cup on Friday will be a boost to her chances. David Loughnane’s Sparks Fly is actually rated on par with Running Lion and can run well as long as there’s plenty of dig in the ground as she loves to get her toe in. Soft ground also suits Breege and Astral Beau but this looks one for Clarehaven Stables and Running Lion. RUNNING LION 1 point win @ 7/4 bet365 Epsom 2.35 The Group 3 Diomed Stakes is run over a trip of 1M 113 yards and with eight going to post has an open look about it this year. Last year’s one- two Regal Reality and Highland Avenue are both back to renew rivalry with a 3lb penalty for the latter not ideal. Regal Reality appears to need very fast ground as he has been taken out before due to easy ground so he’s overlooked as well. The best in at the weights is the Cole’s Royal Scotsman but he ran a stinker first time out in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury last month and has questions to answer now. Roger Varian’s Embesto was strongly fancied in a similar grade of contest on his seasonal re-appearance at Newmarket back in April but pulled too hard. He sports a first time hood here and as long as the ground is not too deep he looks a value pick under James Doyle. EMBESTO 1 point each way @ 4/1 BetVictor 1/5th 123 Epsom 3.10 A maximum field of twenty have declared for this fiendishly difficult Betfred 3YO “Dash” Handicap, run over the fastest 5F in the world. Many can be given chances including James Horton’s hat trick seeking Grandlad and the one-two-three from the 5F handicap at Chester’s May meeting Knicks, Vince L’Amour and Due For Luck. Oisin Murphy could be in for a good day today with the likes of Portsmouth and Running Lion and his mount here Sturlasson looked very speedy when breaking his maiden at Navan last month when starting quickly and making all to win going away by 3L. This is a much stronger heat but he looked fast that day and if anywhere near his debut 2 3/4L second to the now 120 rated Bucanero Fuerte could be well treated off of a handicap mark of just 89. His Irish trainer Kieran Cotter has his string in top form winning with two of his last six runners and in an open sprint he’s worth a small stakes each way bet. STARLUSSON 1 point each way @ 11/1 BetVictor 1/5th 12345 Epsom 3.45 Fifteen got to post for the valuable 5F Aston Martin “Dash” Handicap in which it’s all about speed. The bottom five horses here are out of the handicap by 3lb and more and the race may not be as competitive as it’s looked in previous years. One horse here who does look particularly well treated is last year’s runner up Silky Wilkie. He was an unlucky loser that day getting chinned on the line off of a handicap mark 8lb higher than todays with today’s top weight Clarendon House, in the same ownership, a head back in third but now 19lb worse off. The horse has run credibly this season without winning under 7lb apprentice Sam Feilden and may benefit from the stronger handling of Clifford Lee here today. In an open contest he’s the one worth a small stakes interest. SILKY WILKIE 1 point each way @ 9/2 BetVictor 1/5th 1234 Epsom 4.30 The Blue Riband race for three year old colts and the fourth classic of the season is the Betfred Derby run over 1M 4F. As always a fascinating contest where there are many questions to answer. The main one has to be can Aidan O’Brien’s City Of Troy bounce back to form having flopped in the 2000 Guineas now stepped up half a mile? He may well but at his current odds I’ll not be paying to find out. O’Brien also runs the Leopardstown Derby Trial one - two in Los Angeles and Euphonic with the former the preferred of the pair. He does however look all about stamina and maybe more of a St Leger type. Charlie Appleby has had no luck in the run in to the race having lost Arabian Crown to injury but has an able deputy in the shape of Ancient Wisdom who was no match for Economics in the Dante Stakes at York but comes here with obvious claims. Runner up to the aforementioned Arabian Crown in the Sandown Classic Trial was Ralph Beckett’s Macduff and he’s one that is on my shortlist. The one horse who has impressed me most in the trials this spring is the James Fanshawe trained Ambiente Friendly. He stepped forward from a decent re-appearance fourth to spread eagle his field in the Lingfield Derby Trial, coming home some 4 1/2L to the good with the third Meydan winning a listed race at Goodwood since to frank the form. He’ll have no trouble seeing the trip out and may be a bit overpriced. Controversially and sadly his owners have decided to take off Callum Shepherd and replace him with Rab Havlin which makes no sense to me. In an open Derby he looks the value each way. AMBIENTE FRIENDLY 1 point each way @ 13/2 William Hill 1/5th 1234 Epsom 5.15 A decent 1M 4F class 2 handicap for four year old olds and upwards is up next with a good sized turnout of fifteen. That man Oisin Murphy has a decent looking chance on Andrew Balding’s Relentless Voyager but it’s the Harry Eustace trained Ziggy that catches my eye. Lightly raced for a six year old he ran into one here over a shorter trip when runner up to the subsequent winner Crystal Delight, form that has worked out well since and stepping up a couple of furlongs and on a handicap mark he’s won before off of, all be it on the all-weather, can be competitive under Richard Kingscote. ZIGGY 1 point each way @ 13/2 888Sport 1/5th 1234 Epsom 5.50 Derby day finishes with a maximum sixteen runner class 2 6F 0-105 handicap. Last year’s winner Badri is back to defend his title against the runner up and third Apollo One and Mr Wagyu. In first time cheek pieces he has obvious claims from stall four but it’s the third Mr Wagyu who will be carrying my money. He won this race two years ago from a 4lb higher mark than today and is now 8lb and 11lb better off with the two that finished ahead of him a year ago. He’s shown enough in two starts this season to suggest that he retains all of his ability at the age of nine years and John & Sean Quinn’s chestnut will be having his 86th start of his career. He looks good value to win again from stall 10 under his usual jockey Jason Hart. MR WAGYU 1 point each way @ 6/1 bet365 1/5th 12345

Epsom 2.00 The first race of seven races on day one of the Derby meeting is the 6F Woodcote Stakes for two year olds. There will definitely be some ease in the ground, it’s just a case of how much. The two that catch my eye are Ralph Beckett’s Megalithic who was very well backed on his racecourse debut at Salisbury a fortnight ago when finishing third in a race that looked strong for the course. His trainer spoke positively about him the following day when discussing his best juveniles and he should run well with the only negative being his draw of nine of 10. Richard Hannon’s New Charter is related to the super mare Time Charter from some way back and ran a race full of promise on her debut when chasing home the smart Godolphin filly Mountain Breeze under Hollie Doyle. Sean Levey takes over now and from a better draw than Megalithic in stall 3 is the selection. NEW CHARTER 1 point win @ 9/4 bet365 Epsom 2.35 A decent sized field of sixteen have declared for this class 2 1m 113 yard handicap. The race has an open look about it with the likes of Koy Koy, who was a tad unlucky last time when getting into a bumping match inside the final furlong, last year’s runner up Dutch Decoy who was very disappointing at York last time and Fantastic Fox who was 8th last time in the 7F Victoria Cup and will appreciate stepping up in trip here, all holding claims. David O’Meara saddles a trio of horses all with chances with Jason Watson’s mount Bopedro the one that takes my eye. He goes on any ground and has fallen to what appears to be a winning mark. A further one pound drop for an excellent third at York to Port Lynas last time out is welcome and he looks good each way value in a competitive handicap. BOPEDRO 1 point each way @ 16/1 bet365 1/5th 12345 Epsom 3.10 The 1M 4F Group 1 Coronation Cup has only attracted a disappointing field of five for this £445,000 guaranteed contest. Officially the best in here is last year’s winner trained by John & Thady Gosden in the shape of Emily Upjohn. She can take a keen hold though and will wear a hood. She may well win but she has disappointing in the past so to my eyes is worth opposing. Aidan O’Brien’s Luxembourg is next in the betting but is unproven at this trip and it may be worth looking for an upset. French trainer Pascal Bary brings over his four year old colt Feed The Flame and he looks the best value bet in the contest. Sixth in last year’s Arc De Triomphe he stepped up from his re-appearance run to finish third (beaten 1/2L) in the Prix Ganay at Longchamp in April. Christian Demuro, his regular rider is over to ride and should give us a good run for our money. William Haggas’s mud lover Hamish is also not out of it especially if the rain continues to fall and is worth a small stakes saver. FEED THE FLAME 1 point win @ 9/2 bet365 HAMISH 1/2 point win @ 11/1 888Sport Epsom 3.45 Fourteen go to post for this class 2 1M 2F handicap. As long as theres plenty of cut in the ground the one to beat is the Karl Burke trained Bolster who looked a horse going places when winning at Pontefract on his re-appearance on soft ground under Pierre-Louis Jamin back in April. He’s missed two gigs since due to the drying ground so the more rain the better for this Sheikh Obaid owned four year old who’s won three of his 5 races in total. In the same ownership, it will be no shock to see Bolster’s stable mate Liberty Lane run a big race despite a 5lb rise for his Newmarket win 27 days ago. He too will love any more rain. BOLSTER 1 point each way @ 5/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 Epsom 4.30 A dozen three year old fillies have declared for this year’s renewal of the Betfred Oaks. The warm favourite and the clear form horse is the Aidan O’Brien trained Ylang Ylang, a group one winner on soft ground as a juvenile who ran an eye catching seasonal start when fifth (beaten just a length) in the 1000 Guinness at Newmarket. That form has already been franked by the subsequent Irish and German 1000 Guineas victories of the 8th and 14th. She is stepping up to 1M 4F from a mile and although I’ve no doubt she’ll stay 10F there is a small doubt about 1M 4F. She’ll still be hard to beat mind and is the selection. Official ratings have her 6lb and more in hand of her rivals with the Dermot Weld trained Ezeliya a possible danger having looked good on her re-appearance when winning the Group 3 Salsabil Stakes at Navan over 1M 2F. The runner up and fifth have both been turned over since though in the Irish 1000 Guineas. Ralph Beckett has a strong prescience in the race with four runners all of whom have place claims. The best of the quartet may be Forest Fairy who is unbeaten in her two starts including the Cheshire Oaks last time out and if handling easier ground can run a big race. If the favourite stays I think she wins. YLANG YLANG 1 point win 9/4 William Hill Epsom 5.10 The 7F Aston Martin Surrey Stakes is a listed contest and has attracted a field of seven. There has to be doubts about Stuart Williams’s Pandora’s Gift who has yet to run on the turf and at today’s trip. Ralph Beckett has the favourite in Zoum Zoum who was runner up in the Greenham on his seasonal re-appearance but has to shoulder a 3lb penalty today as well as the form of the Greenham not really working out. I’m happy to take the pair of them on. Archie Watson has taken over the training of the former Andre Fabre Evade and is an interesting runner. He won first time out last season prior to keeping good company in group races and a recent entry in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup looks positive. The Qatar Racing Limited owned three year old will be ridden by Oisin Murphy and looks value, especially with those firms (Hills, Betfred, bet365 & 888 sport) who are paying three places. EVADE 1 point each way @ 15/2 William Hill 1/5th 123 Epsom 5.40 Day one of Oaks day is completed by a twelve runner 7F class 2 handicap. Last year’s 1-2-3 are all back to renew rivalry with the winner Spanish Star, runner up Darkness and third Marlay Park only separated by two lengths last year. The value bet may well be the latter who has a great record here of four wins from 14 starts and has had a wind operation since last seen. If that has helped local trainer Jim Boyle’s six year old then she may be able to out run her odds from a good draw in stall 5. Richard Hannon’s Dark Thirty is drawn alongside and brings in some decent recent form and should run well but at the prices I’ll chance the local runner Marlay Park. MARLAY PARK 1 point each way @ 14/1 bet35 1/5th 1234

Ten races from ITV - a bumper afternoon for us racing enthusiasts. Good luck and here are my views. Haydock 1.15 The first of five races covered by the ITV team at the Lancashire track is the valuable three year old handicap Betfred Silver Bowl Handicap run over a mile with a field of thirteen going to post. The ground at the Lancashire course will be very testing with plenty of rain falling on top of 5mm of watering put down by the course on Tuesday (how crazy was that!). One horse who will love testing ground and has a good record here is the Tom Dascombe trained Nellie Leylax whose form figures on soft or worse read 111441. He’s up 5lb for making all over course and distance last month and is a serious player here. The other two on my shortlist are top weight Blue Lemons who also appears to relish soft ground and course and distance soft ground maiden winner Candonomore. The pick has to be Nellie Leylax with a small each way saver on Tim Easterby’s Candonomore. NELLIE LEYLAX 1 point each way @ 13-2 William Hill 1/5th 1234 CANDONOMORE 1/2 point each way @ 9-1 Coral 1/5th 1234 Goodwood 1.30 The first of two races covered by the ITV cameras at the Sussex track is this competitive three year old 7F class 2 handicap which is run around a bend which gives those drawn low a big advantage. The winner of the last ten renewals were drawn in 3,6,3,2,3,2,4,11,5 and 3. With such a bias we’ll just concentrate on those drawn in single figures. Andrew Balding’s Al Shabab Storm heads the short list having circumnavigated the whole field from a poor draw at Chester last time when surprisingly well supported. He’s already won at the track and has drawn stall 4. Expect Harry Davies to make the most of that draw and run a big race. The most unexposed runner is the Ralph Beckett trained Qirat who’s making his handicap debut having been gelded and a market move for him would be very interesting. From stall 2 Newsreader from the Kevin Philippart De Foy stable starts out in handicaps from a reasonable mark and can make his presence tell but it has to be Al Shabab Storm for me. AL SHABAB STORM 1 point each way @ 5/1 BetVictor 1/5th 12345 Haydock 1.50 The days feature race at the Lancashire track is the Group 2 Temple Stakes run over a distance of 5F. Ten horses have declared for the race with the highest rated in the field Live In The Dream whose not been seen since flopping at the Breeders Cup last November and his trainer, Adam West stating in the week that he will need the run. He’s opposable with the horse who beat him in the Palace House Stakes on soft ground at Newmarket a year ago, Vadream the one to be with. His soft ground (or worse) form figures read 7131731 and is a real mudlark who will relish the conditions. The Australian horse Asfoora may well also need the run reading between the lines of recent comments from his connections and a bigger threat may come from one of the three three year olds in the shape of the Andrew Balding trained Flora Of Bermuda who showed last year that he likes soft ground by winning well at Goodwood in August. He’s worth a small each way saver. VADREAM 1 point each way @ 5/1 William Hill 1/5th 123 FLORA OF BERMUDA 1/2 point each way @ 22/1 Betfred 1/5th 1234 Goodwood 2.05 The Height Of Fashion Stakes is a listed race for three year old fillies and the last real Oaks trial for next weekend and is run over a trip of 10F. The highest rated in the field is the Charlie Johnston trained Francophone who was runner up in the Musidora at York earlier in the month. That was a weak renewal however and she had previously won a Southwell handicap (second has won since mind). John & Thady Gosden’s Regal Jubilee was my each way pick in the 1000 Guineas and although blowing out there I do feel she’s better than that run and hopefully a step up in trip here will suit this Cheveley Park Stud owned three year old. Previously to the 1000 Guineas she had finished a neck ahead of the eventual 1000 Guineas winner Elmalka which may suggest there was something amiss at Newmarket. Despite a 3lb penalty for a listed win on heavy ground last November at Newmarket she’s worth one last chance to prove she has a decent future. REGAL JUBILEE 1 point each way @ 4/1 BetVictor 1/5th 123 Haydock 2.25 Eight have declared for the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes run over a distance of 6F and used as a trial for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot next month. It’s hard to look beyond Simon & Ed Crisford’s Vandeek who looked very smart as a juvenile winning all four of his starts culminating in a Group 1 double at Deauville and Newmarket with the victory at the former being gained on very soft ground. With conditions unlikely to worry him he can take this en route to Royal Ascot. The each way value against him may lie with Andrew Balding’s Purosangue who’s proven on soft and had one of today’s opponents Esquire 3/4L behind in second when winning at York in the mud last October. He may chase home the favourite. VANDEEK 2 points win @ 8/11 William Hill PUROSANGUE 1/2 point each way @ 9/1 bet365 1/5th 123 York 2.45 The first of two races covered by the ITV team is this class 2 5f handicap. Top weight Korker carried my tip when running well at the last York meeting when finishing strongly to take fourth behind Clarendon House and looks sure to be thereabouts although a mark of 107 looks plenty high enough. Charlie Hills’s Rabaah was a bit disappointing on his re-appearance and drops to the minimum trip here. He’s another with a chance. The horse I like however is Ralph Beckett’s Starlust who since he finished runner up in a decent nursery at the Ebor meeting last year has kept top grade company including when third, beaten 1 1/4L to Big Evs in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint last November. This represents a drop in class and as a three year old gets a healthy 8lb age allowance for this time of the year. Beckett is beginning to get rolling with his yard and he looks good each way value now dropped to the minimum trip. STARLUST 1 point each way @ 9/1 William Hill 1/5th 1234 Haydock 3.00 Seven have declared for this class 3 7F 0-90 handicap although I do get the feeling that the current favourite English Oak could be pulled out due to the wet conditions. He was pulled out on good to soft last year at York so one would think that today’s terrain will be too slow for him. Let’s hope he runs as he is very opposable. In contrast Zip will love the conditions and should run a big race although at the prices I think it’s worth backing Ed Dunlop’s Sterling Knight. He’s two from two at the track, has dipped under his last turf winning mark and is a winner on heavy ground. Morgan Cole claims 5lb and gets the leg up here which further reduces his weight and he can run well each way. STERLING KNIGHT 1 point each way @ 10/1 bet365 1/5 123 York 3.20 A healthy field of ten have declared for this Group 3 1M 6F Brontë Cup Fillies’ Stakes. Last year’s winner River Of Stars is the highest rated of the ten and Ralph Beckett’s five year old took this by a short head on his seasonal re-appearance last year so a lack of a recent outing is unlikely to be an issue for Rossa Ryan’s mount. She should run well along with the likes of Jack Channon’s Gather Ye Rosebuds although that one wants very deep ground it seems. William Haggas saddles an interesting runner in Safety Catch who won a listed race on the all-weather at Lingfield when last seen in November. A tricky enough contest but it’s Beckett’s River Of Stars who is the selection. RIVER OF STARS 1 point win @ 7/2 Coral Haydock 3.30 A decent sized field of fifteen gather for this class 2 2M 0-100 handicap. The race has a very open look about it with many holding claims. Top weight Nothing To Sea would be amongst them who was last seen winning at Sandown over 1M 6F 303 days ago.This longer trip will no doubt suit and he should run well if tuned up. Ian Williams’s Law Of The Sea was runner up to the re-opposing Solent Getaway in this race last years and ran well at Chester at their May meeting. He too has claims along with Tim Easterby’s bottom weight Zimmerman who looks the value pick of the field. 2lb higher than when winning over course and distance last August on heavy ground he’ll have no problems with the muddy conditions and with a record here which reads 181 and conditions in his favour can run a big race at a nice price. ZIMMERMAN 1 point each way @ 10/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 Curragh 3.40 Just eight three year old colts run in the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas in which we have a very warm favourite in the shape of the Richard Hannon trained Rosallion. He was the only horse to put it up to Notable Speech in the English version going down by 1 1/2L in second place with stable mate Haatem 3 1/4L back in third and looks held here. A smart two year old he has an excellent chance as long as the ground doesn’t go very soft he can beat the Aidan O’Brien trio of River Tiber, Unquestionable (1L behind the pick in France last back end) and Mountain Bear. He is a strong selection. ROSALLION 2 points win @ 10/11 bet365

Hi Rob, Welcome aboard.

Welcome Marcellino

The most important factor that I've found over the years is firstly ground, secondly ground and thirdly ground!! I've been betting for 45 years and my 'favourite' time to seek out value is when there is a late ground change. If you are privy to a wet weather forecast you can always jump in and steal some value before those nasty bookmakers cotton on. The other factors that are top of my list are trainer form, I'm not really sure how it always happen but it seems when a stable begin having winners it seems to spur their stable mates on as well! I'm also very big on collateral form. I love to see a horse's previous run(s) being franked by those around it. Also I love to see a horse drop back to it's last winning mark. I'm of the opinion that each horse has a 'winning' mark be it very low or very high and if we can find that then we know further down the line in its career if it falls back down to that mark then its usually a positive sign.

Newbury 1.50 The first of four races shown by the ITV cameras is this 1M 4F Group 3 Sky Sports Racing Aston Park Stakes which features nine runners. The favourite is William Haggas’s Desert Hero who gave owners the King & Queen a royal winner at Royal Ascot last year in the King George V Handicap. He made a pleasing re-appearance when runner up to Okeechobee in the Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown over a trip short of his best and looks the one they all have to beat under Tom Marquand, his regular pilot. John & Thady Gosden’s Middle Earth is rated officially 5lb inferior to the selection but may well be the one to chase home Desert Hero. DESERT HERO 1 point win @ 13/8 bet365 Newmarket 2.05 Just seven have declared for this 7F class 3 handicap for three year olds only. Bar the rag Venture Capital a case can be made for the other six runners. Love Billy Boy is up 4lb for his second at Newmarket at the Guineas meeting and can run well along with Ed Bethell’s handicap debutant Gressington who may have a nice mark here. The one that catches my eye however is the Roger Varian trained Dashing Darcey. He’s run well in two good handicaps this season especially last time when slowly away at Chester but running on to great effect to finish 2 1/4L third to the handicap snip Never So Brave. Off of the same mark he looks the one to be with under Aidan Keeley who claims a valuable 3lb and can be backed each way with an additional place. DASHING DARCEY 1 point each way @ 9/2 bet365 1/5th 123 Newbury 2.25 A decent sized field of fourteen go to post for this listed Highclere Castle Gin Carnarvon Stakes run over a distance of 6F. Clive Cox’s James Delight steps up in grade having won handicaps at Pontefract and Newmarket but is only rated 3lb behind the top rated which is the William Haggas trained Relief Rally. She can go well but it’s the latter that looks the one they all have to beat. She’s always looked speed and patently failed to stay 7F when fourth in the Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury four weeks ago. That form has been boosted by the third Elmalka winning the 1000 Guineas since. The drop in trip looks ideal for Tom Marquand’s mount who won four of her five starts as a juvenile including the Group 2 6F Lowther Stakes in August and can give the Haggas & Marquand combo a double with Desert Hero in the previous race. RELIEF RALLY 1 point win @ 4/1 BetVictor Newmarket 2.40 A good sized field of fifteen run in this class 2 7F 0-105 handicap. Last year’s handicap sensation Quinault who rose a staggering 43lb in the weights during his seven victories is not out of this if straight enough having not been seen since Ascot last October. One horse who does look particularly well handicapped at the moment is the David O’Meara trained Darkness. A winner at the July course here last summer he can now race off of a mark 4lb lower. He weakened at the furlong pole in a decent handicap at the Guineas meeting here over a mile and the drop to 7F looks an excellent move. Jason Watson takes the mount and he appeals as a decent each way bet. DARKNESS 1 point each way @ 16/1 William Hill 1/5th 1234 Newbury 3.00 A race always worth following over the next couple of months or so is the Trade Nation London Gold Cup Handicap which has produced many smart performers over the years. Aidan O’Brien won it last year and saddles Chantilly who won a handicap at Leopardstown in good style by 4 1/4L on his re-appearance. He has entries in the Irish Derby, the Eclipse and King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot. The only other runner who has a future group entry is the John & Thady Gosden trained Fighter Command who is also entered in the King Edward VII Stakes. He’s an interesting runner making his handicap debut having won a Windsor maiden last month. One horse who looks particularly well handicapped is the Harry Charlton trained King’s Gambit. Harry’s father Roger has an excellent record in the race having won it four times in the last dozen years with smart sorts Al Kazeem, Time Test, Imperial Aviator and Headman. King’s Gambit had three runs as a juvenile and hasn’t been seen since a head runner up to Brackens Laugh in the Haynes, Hanson & Clark Novices’ Stakes here last September. He gave the winner 6lb that day who has won again since and was runner up in the Dee Stakes at Chester earlier tis month. He’s now rated 108 so an initial mark for King’s Gambit of 93 looks quite lenient. William Buick has been booked and he looks the one to be with. KING’S GAMBIT 1 point win @ 9/2 bet365 Newmarket 3.15 A 1M class 3 handicap is up next featuring eleven runners. Andrew Balding’s Hopeful ran a blinder at Redcar last time when going down by 1/2L to Baryshnikov and a 2lb rise in the weights may not stop him from being competitive. Last year’s winner Repertoire is now 3lb higher but having teed up for this with a fourth at Ascot seventeen days ago can also be a player but the one to beat may turn out to be Ian Williams’s Aalto. An ex French performer he ran well to push Crack Shot to a length in a good handicap over course and distance at the Guineas meeting and with just a 2lb rise to contend with can go close. He is double engaged mind as he also has an entry at Newbury this afternoon. In his absence Hopeful would be the pick. AALTO 1 point each way @ 13/2 Betfred 1/5th 1234 Newbury 3.35 The feature race of the day is the Group 1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes run over the straight mile. The two principals are French challenger Big Rock and the five year old mare Inspiral. The latter had her rival back 1 1/4L back in second when winning the Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville last August and has won first time out before. She’s an obvious player if fully tuned up whilst the former Big Rock is a classy performer who has left his previous trainer Christopher Head to join Maurizio Guarnieri who’s failed to have a winner from his last twelve runners. He too hasn’t been seen this season but was scintillating when giving out a 6L beating to his rivals in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot last October. He wouldn’t want the ground to dry out and with some question marks against the top two it maybe worth opposing the pair with a race fit horse who’s in terrific form. Roger Varian’s Charyn has won both starts this season at Doncaster and Sandown in the style of a smart performer and although on ratings he has 11lb and 7lb to find with the two principals looks decent each way value under Silvestre De Sousa. CHARYN 1 point each way @ 9/2 bet365 1/5th 123

There always seems to be a regular issue with Betfred and Oddschecker I find tbh

York 2.15 A decent sized field of sixteen line up for the listed 5F Clipper EBF Marygate Fillies’ Stakes. The key piece of form is the Newmarket maiden run at the Craven meeting 30 days ago in which the first four renew rivalry. The fourth Seraphim Angel has already won since at Chester in the Lily Agnes whilst the winner It Ain’t Two trained by Hugo Palmer may have his work cut out to confirm the form with the runner up and third that day. Second place, beaten 3/4L, was the Michael Bell trained Amestris who was scratched at the eleventh hour on Weds afternoon. A neck further back in third was the Clive Cox trained Magic Mild under Rossa Ryan who also keeps the ride here. She's the bet here each way Ollie Sangster is a trainer going places and he saddles his Salisbury winner Running Queen. The ground was soft that day however and has to prove herself on today’s likely faster conditions. MAGIC MILD 1/2 point each way @ 12/1 Coral 1/5th 1234 Newbury 2.30 The ITV team are showing just the one from the Berkshire track with the class 3 1M 2F Unibet Handicap attracting fifteen participants. Last year’s winner Mustazeed, trained by Harry Eustace, is two from two at the track including this race a year ago from a 5lb lower mark and looks likely to be thereabouts with Hayley Turner on board.He won first time out last year so is obviously a horse that can be readied first time out. He’s the bet here. The one to be very careful about is the Roger Varian trained Glam De Vega who hasn’t been seen for 640 days and is now gelded and wearing a first time hood. It will be some training performances were he to win. Alan King saddles a brace in the shape of Winter Reprise and Gallant Lion with the latter looking the pick of the pair but it’s Mustazeed for me. MUSTAZEED 1 point each way @ 10/1 Coral 1/5th 1234 York 2.45 A competitive sixteen runner class 2 1M 2 1/2F 0-100 handicap. Roger Varian’s Botanical would be a definite player if the ground isn’t too fast. He was pulled out on fast ground at Chester last week but obviously needs to have a fair dig in the ground as proved when he last won at Hamilton last October. An outsider who could run well is the Karl Burke trained Eileen Dubh who has a good record here (11030) and has fallen to a winning mark. He’s worth a small each way saver against the main bet which is Jack Channon’s Majestic who looks sure to be thereabouts. He’s only won twice in his nineteen race career but he’s been knocking on the door on his last three starts which includes a fourth in the Cambridgeshire and a fourth behind Liberty Lane at Newmarket. He deserves a win and let’s hope that with his trainer in blistering form with six winners from his last 20 runners (at time of writing) today’s the day. MAJESTIC 1 point each way @ 7/1 bet365 1/5th 12345 EILEEN DUBH 1/2 point each way @ 14/1 William Hill 1/5th 12345 York 3.15 Nine promising fillies line up for this listed 1M Sky Bet Fillies Stakes (know by us oldies as The Michael Seely Memorial Fillies Stakes). Likely favourite is the Charlie Appleby trained Devoted Queen who didn’t impress everyone when winning on the all-weather at Kempton at odds on last time out. I’m sure she’s better than that and sports a first time hood here with William Buick again in the saddle. She’s been entered for the Group 1 Coronation Stakes recently at Royal Ascot and looks the one to beat. Her biggest danger may well be one of the Roger Varian trained fillies in True Cyan who ran well to finish a 4L fourth in the Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket on her re-appearance. There are mixed messages from that piece of form as the first two have been soundly beaten since in the English 1000 Guineas although the third Kathmandu went down by just a head in the French 1000 Guineas last weekend. DEVOTED QUEEN 1 point win @ 11/4 William Hill York 3.45 The Group 2 Boodles Yorkshire Cup is an intriguing contest run over 1M 6F with seven declaring. Aidan O’Brien’s Tower Of LOndon has to shoulder a 3lb penalty for his two wins abroad this winter and has to run well. Last year’s winner Giavellotto finished behind him twice already this year and is best watched now. William Haggas’s Hamish loves to get his toe in and unless the heavens open he’s hard to fancy if he even turns up. Willie Mullins saddles another interesting runner in Vauban who spread eagled his field in the Copper Horse Handicap a Royal Ascot but was last seen when running poorly in the Melbourne Cup. If he’s straight enough he too is a player. I’m going to take a chance though on the John & Thady Gosden runner Gregory who will need to have improved a bit from last year but the vibes seem strong from Clarehaven Stables that he’s been working very well with Emily Upjohn and he’s the bet with James Doyle riding for his retained owners Wathnan Racing. Back him each way with any firm paying three places in this seven runner contest. GREGORY 1 point each way @ 8/1 Betfred 1/5th 123 York 4.15 Just the six for this Darley EBF Novices Stakes, a race for three years old who have not run more than twice and run over 1M. The Newmarket maiden won by Charlie Appleby’s First Conquest by a nose from The John & Thady Gosden trained Lead Artist at the Craven meeting is the key piece of form here with the latter now 6lb better off and likely to turn the tables on the Godolphin runner. The Andrew Balding runner Under Siege ran a stormer on his racecourse debut when gong down by 1 1/2L to William Haggas’s Economics who runs/ran in the Dante at York on Thursday afternoon so keep an eye on that result as if Economics runs well it will be a big boost for Under Siege who will undoubtably tighten up in the market if the form is boosted. I’ll chance him in the hope that his form is boosted. UNDER SIEGE 1 point win @ 10/3 bet365

York 2.15 The first of two big field handicaps is the class 2 5F Lindrum York Handicap which has a very much ‘whose turn is it today’ feel about it amongst the seventeen strong field. Cases can be made for many including the Crisford’s Spartan Arrow who’s making his seasonal re-appearance having been gelded and the Quinn’s Jm Jungle who ran well last time at Musselburgh. Despite rising in the handicap I like the look of top weight Korker trained locally by Karl Burke and ridden by Clifford Lee. He was an unlucky loser of this race a year ago off of a mark 7lb lower than today’s. So it is hard to say he’s chucked in here but he teed up for this with a run in the mud at Deauville in listed company last month and from a stall position of four on the far side should give us a decent run for our money each way with additional places. KORKER 1 point each way @ 8/1 William Hill 1/5th 123456 Salisbury 2.30 ITV’s sole offering from the ‘away’ meetings today is this 1M 6F class 3 handicap which will be run on soft ground and from a flag start. Nicky Henderson has always done well with his runners on the flat during the summer and sends out his ex William Haggas trained five year old Pawapuri who has won two of his five starts over timber, both coming on soft ground and looks feasibly treated back on the flat. Richard Kingscote looks an encouraging jockey booking and he can take this from the Andrew Balding runner The Goat who loves deep ground and represents the stable that has won this race for the last two seasons. PAWAPURI 1 point win @ 11/4 bet365 York 2.45 A maximum field of twenty have declared for this valuable class 2 Oakmere Homes Hambleton Handicap run over the round mile. There are many here that can be given chances and my shortlist comprises of Charlie Johnston’s Dutch Decoy (drawn in stall 6) who has finished runner up in two decent Newmarket handicaps already this season and although 2lb higher should be n the premises once again. Last year’s runner up Port Lynas trained by Ed Bethell is now 7lb higher in the weights and doesn’t have the benefit of a race, unlike last year, but he has won fresh before and from stall 5 can help push the pace and figure at the finish. Last year’s fifth Blue For You returns having had a wind operation and is now 9lb better off with Port Lynas for a 3L beating. He’s drawn out wide in stall 15 though which may be an inconvenience. With a decent draw and fitness on his side I’ll take Dutch Decoy to get his head in front where it matters under Joe Fanning with a small stake saver on Blue For You who loves the track and is now very well handicapped. DUTCH DECOY 1 point each way @ 8/1 William Hill 1/5th 12345 BLUE FOR YOU 1/2 point each way @ 12/1 bet365 1/5th 12345 York 3.15 A small but select filed of six turn up for this Group 2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies’ Stakes run over 1M 2 1/2F. Free Wind won this event last year for father and son training combo John & Thady Gosden and has now won first time out for the last three years so the lack of a run shouldn’t be held against the George Strawbridge owned six year old mare who must go well here even if this trip is a bit on the short side for her. The same can be said of her main rival Bluestocking who is rated only 1lb inferior to Free Wind. Ralph Beckett’s four year old was last seen when runner up to Poptronic in the Group 1 Fillies & Mares on Champions Day at Ascot in October. With the Beckett team beginning to roll now I’ll take her to turn over Free Wind. BLUESTOCKING 1 point win @ 5/2 BetVictor York 3.45 The meeting’s Derby trial is the 1M 2 1/2F Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes which has attracted seven three year old colts. Warm favourite is the Charlie Appleby trained Ancient Wisdom who won four of his five starts as a juvenile including the group 1 Kameko Futurity Trophy at Doncaster in October. That victory came on heavy ground but he was an impressive debut winner at Haydock on fast ground so it may well be that all ground comes alike to the top rated colt by Dubawi. With William Buick in the saddle he’ll be a tough one to beat with possibly the William Haggas trained Economics an interesting outsider. He looked good winning a Newbury maiden 26 days ago and that form has been boosted since by the victories of the sixth and eighth. Roger Varian saddles Al Musmak who was ahead of the selection the only time he was beaten which came at Ascot last Summer. He may be the one to push the favourite. ANCIENT WISDOM 2 points win @ 11/8 William Hill ANCIENT WISDOM 11/8 & BIG EVS (4.15) 8/11 2 point win double William Hill York 4.15 Last year’s champion two year old sprinter Big Evs returns for his re-appearance run here in this 5F listed Westow stakes and despite a 5lb penalty for his Group 2 Flying Childers win at Doncaster and his Grade 1 win in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Santa Anita will be hard to beat. Michael Appleby’s three year old will be ridden by Tom Marquand and is proven on any type of ground. He meets six inferior sprinters and unless he hasn’t trained on should get the job done comfortably.

The best hunter chase expert bar none 😉