Flat Racing ~ Friday 17th May

[BillyHills]

2.15 York: Betfred Jorvik Stakes (Handicap) (Class 2) (1m4f) Not many of these you can completely count out on various bits and pieces of form but the betting suggests those at the top end of the handicap have this between them. The favourite Sir John Hawkwood is the form horse having won last week and carries a 6lb penalty on his first try at the trip. He looked useful that day and is one of the few unexposed types in the race. Kings Warrior is the other obvious one that could improve while Oriental Fox is a bit of an unknown. Martin Chuzzlewit is interesting on his debut for David Simcock and is an alternative choice. Selections: 2pts Sir John Hawkwood 9/4

Stan James 1pt Martin Chuzzlewit 10/1 Bet365

Full Preview; http://www.punterslounge.com/york-betting-top-weight-sir-john-hawkwood-can-defy-penalty-in-jorvik-stakes-20130517

[robertob]

Re: Flat Racing ~ Friday 17th May 16.15 Newbury: Autun @ 5/1 Bet365 - 3pts win Think it's easy to bring this race down to three or four runners with a chance. The favourite looks sure to be suited by the additional furlong tomorrow but might prefer even further as he looked quite one paced lto. I like the chance of Autun though who looks a shade too big in the betting market. There might be a few stamina worries as his dam was a Group 3 winner over 7f sired by a top class miler, but Autun's sire was a multiple Group winner, successful up to 12f as a Belmont Stakes winner. So I think there is at least a fair chance that he gets the trip and I thought he looked like a horse that wants further, when he won his maiden on the 2nd attempt over 1m last year. So I expect him to improve for the step up in trip. Interesting to see him fitted with a hood for the first time, as Cecil is doing really well with horses fitted with this sort of headgear. Also interesting that Autun's sire has a 33,33% strike rate at Newbury and an even better one on fast ground. Thankfully that sort of ground is expected at Newbury tomorrow. Henry Cecil is doing alright in recent weeks, but in combination with jockey Ian Mongan he is ruthless as this combo has a massive 45% strike rate this season. So it's fair to assume that Autun will be race fit tomorrow and a big run is expected.