Racing Tips – Top Tipster Steve Mullen’s best racing selections for Saturday, July 8
Steve Mullen, who had a 40-1 winner on Monday, guides you through Saturday's racing from Sandown, Haydock, Beverley, Carlisle, Leicester and Nottingham.
THINK Big in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock (3.15).
BIG COUNTRY has been a revelation since moving to Michael Appleby with three wins from just four starts.
He looked ready to grab a big handicap when digging deep to score at York last time out. The 1m2f trip is clearly on the short side for him and the muddling pace didn’t help matters either.
But he stayed in touch with the leaders and showed a touch of class to land the spoils late one. The official margin was just a neck but he looked like good value for more than that.
Because the win wasn’t too flashy, the handicapper has put him up a very reasonable 4lb and he should be capable of improving again to make up for that.
His run at Goodwood two outings ago was another impressive one. He gave Frontiersman a good race and he came out and finished second in the Group 1 Coronation Cup at Epsom. That form looks strong with Top Tug — who finished second at Goodwood — re-opposing again. He is not without a chance but would probably prefer a longer distance to shine.
Big Country likes to be up somewhere near the pace and those tactics should pay off in this tough handicap.
Gordon Elliott is better known for his jumpers but the top Irish trainer sends over Moonmeister with every chance.
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He managed to win a decent Cork handicap last time despite missing the break. He ended up scoring hard held and a 4lb rise in the weights looks fair. He has already been supported in the early betting skirmishes so keep an eye on the market just before the off.
MUTHMIR is taking a big drop in class for the Coral Sprint at Sandown (1.50).
The seven-year-old has still got plenty of zip as he showed when a solid fourth behind the amazing Lady Aurelia in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot last time.
The wonderfilly had plenty in hand but the rest finished in a heap with Jim Crowley’s mount right in the mix.
He’s best over this 5f trip and the firmer the ground the better for him.
The one negative is the penalty he shoulders for winning stronger races than this — but he only has that because he’s the classiest performer in the field.
Crowley could have chosen to ride Battaash and it wouldn’t be the biggest shock If he’s picked the wrong one.
The three-year-old is stepping up after winning a Listed contest over course and distance last time. He’s clearly open to major improvement.
Tis Marvellous looked a bit rusty in the Commonwealth Cup at the Royal meeting and will be happy with this drop back to the minimum trip.
HORS DE COMBAT had shocking luck at Royal Ascot last time and has a puncher’s chance in Sandown’s cavalry charge at 2.25.
The six-year-old was blocked a few times in the Royal Hunt Cup and had a full tank of petrol left crossing the finishing line five lengths off the pace.
It was a similar story in the Victoria Cup at the same venue where he finished a bit closer despite meeting severe traffic problems.
Of course, the same thing could happen again here but he’s got the ability to go close at very rewarding odds.
Greenside comes here with strong claims after winning well over course and distance last time out. What was really impressive was the way he had to bide his time and wait for an opening before quickly bursting through it.
The handicapper has been reasonable by raising him 5lb for that effort and, with few miles on the clock, there should be more to come.
Secret Art won this race 12 months ago off just 3lb lower in the weights. We know he likes conditions and can be forgiven a modest effort here last time when he raced well away from the pace.
SANDOWN
1.20 Mojito
1.50 Muthmir
2.25 Hors De Combat
3.00 Paco’s Angel
3.35 Barney Roy
4.10 High Jinx
4.40 Frontispiece
HAYDOCK
2.05 Mister Manduro
2.40 Abingdon
3.15 Big Country
3.50 Magical Memory
4.25 Meshardal
5.00 Brogan
5.30 Hugin
LEICESTER
1.25 Nag’s Wag
1.55 Milton Road
2.30 Flying North
3.05 Twin Appeal
3.40 Uptown Funk
4.15 Peach Melba
4.45 Flood Defence
5.15 Imperial Link
BEVERLEY
1.40 Poet’s Dawn
2.15 Bath And Tennis
2.50 That’s A Surprise
3.25 Excessable
4.00 Mr Cool Cash
4.35 Pepys
5.10 Cosmic Sky
5.45 Rapid Ranger
CARLISLE
6.00 Quick N Quirky
6.30 Weeton
7.00 Rose Eclair
7.30 Archipeligo
8.00 Lonely The Brave
8.30 Parnassian
9.00 Nadaitak
NOTTINGHAM
5.40 Inspector Norse
6.10 Mrs Gallacher
6.40 Socialites Red
7.10 Hallstatt
7.40 Cape Icon
8.15 Paradise Cove
8.45 Vigee Le Brun