Flat Racing ~ Saturday 17th May

[BillyHills]

Preakness Stakes : 11.18 Pimlico Hot favourite is California Chrome who bolted up in the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago and the best price on offer is 4/6 with bookmakers Skybet. Late scares surrounding a throat problem has been doing the rounds and some think its took quick after the Derby but on overall form he cant be opposed. He will need to break quickly to avoid trouble but with only ten runners in the field he should be able to cope. Second favourite is Social Inclusion, he finished third in the Wood Memorial and showed his stamina doubts and although he will be well up there early it’s a question of whether he can hold off the challenge from the favourite. Next best is Bayern who is trained by the legendary Bob Baffert going for his sixth Preakness. A speedy type who will be ridden by female jockey Rosie Napravnik who grew up around here and will need to get the fractions right to last home. Kid Cruz will enjoy a strong pace up front as he stays and will hope to pick up the pieces in the straight, trainer Linda Rice thinks a lot of this horse who won here last time out and is a lively long shot at around 20/1. Dynamic Impact is interesting; he won the Illinois Derby after a string of defeats and looks to be the improving horse in the line up. He’s 2 from 2 now and will be fancied by some to notch up his hat-trick here. Two beaten horses in the Derby have another go at California Chrome, the first is General A Rod who finished a poor 11^th at Kentucky, a jockey change here gives connections some hope of an improved performance this time. Ride On Curlin was 7^th and is yet to win a graded race of any kind and will need to find improvement from somewhere to get involved. The betting is about right and the favourite will be hard to beat, a sporting each way bet on Kid Cruz is my idea of a value bet but the places are up for grabs in a substandard renewal. Selection: 2pts EW Kid Cruz 16/1 Coral

[BillyHills]

Re: Flat Racing ~ Saturday 17th May 3.50 Newbury: Lockinge Stakes Olympic Glory is the hot favourite and started last season by winning here in the Greenham Stakes and went on to win the QEII at Ascot in October. Ended the season with a 7^th to Wise Dan in the Breeders Cup at Santa Anita and Frankie Dettori gets back on top today. He looks a cut above most of his rivals and with the Hannon team in good nick there is no reason to think he won't be spot on for his reappearance. Verrazano, American colt who has joined Aidan O’Brien and makes his debut for the stable. Won two Grade 1 races in the States and finished 4^th in the Breeders Cup Mile Dirt. It will be interesting to see how he gets on in this company but will need to be smart to win this at the first time of asking. Tullius and Montiridge look to be the main dangers but both have yet to win at this level and will need the favourite to under perform to win i fear. Selection: Olympic Glory 11/10 Paddy Power