Today’s FREE Horse racing tips: The Betting Spy’s top picks for today’s racing at Newmarket, Haydock and Chelmsford
The Betting Spy is back with his top tips for Saturday's racing where the action at Newmarket, Haydock and Chelmsford takes centre stage
TO win the Cambridgeshire (3.40 Newmarket) you need a horse who is not just in form and ahead of the handicapper but one who is VERY TALENTED.
Saeed bin Suroor's five-year-old qualifies by name and by the form book.
He was massively impressive on his return from a long lay-off when winning a decent race at Chelmsford and the 4lb penalty he picked up will not stop him on that form.
Some will be put off by the chance that he may 'bounce', that is run poorly on his second start after a break, but that happens less and less these days and this has the look of a well worked-out plan.
Proven ability in big-field handicaps is a must for this and Very Talented has that, having finished third in this race two years ago (when first home of 17 on 'his' side).
The booking of a top 3lb-claimer, Rossa Ryan, is another plus.
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In the 2016 Cambridgeshire, one place behind my fancy was Third Time Lucky and he too could be well-named as he won the race in 2015 and is back for another crack.
Clearly he relishes this unique nine-furlong test and he has been running well, winning at York before being drawn out of it in the Betfred Mile at Goodwood. He could be decent each-way value.
John Gosden has a great record in the race and I was very keen on Stylehunter at Newbury last week before he was taken out because of the ground.
He has a future but this could be too tough for him at this stage and it is slightly worrying for his backers, though not altogether surprising, that Frankie Dettori prefers Wissahickon. He is one for the short list.
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Hamdan Al Maktoum's pair of Alfarris and Afaak both have good form in top handicaps and success for either would be no surprise.
Aidan OBrien is back in his usual form after earlier blips and Kenya is well handicapped.
But his recent improved form has been over shorter trips and that has to be a slight concern.
Sharja Bridge is another who should go close, having finished second over course and distrance at the Guineas meeting and run fourth off today's mark at York last time and a good run by Danceteria, who did not have the run of the race at The Curragh when going for a five-timer two weeks ago, can be expected.
Betting Spy's top tips for Saturday
- 1.50 Newmarket - Arthur Kitt
- 2.05 Haydock - Mitchum Swagger
- 3.40 Newmarket - Very Talented
- 5.55 Newmarket - Ripp Orf
- 6.45 Chelmsford - Secret Art
Beatboxer looks set to go off favourite for the Royal Lodge (1.50) as he attempts to maintain his unbeaten record.
With his trainer John Gosden going for his third win in the race in the last four years he demands respect. But he has a bit to find on bare form.
Kuwait Currency has solid claims but preference is for ARTHUR KITT, who chased home juvenile superstar Too Darn Hot last time at Sandown, pulling well clear of the rest.
He won the 7f Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot in June and should relish stepping up to a mile now.
The two Group 1 juvenile races boast solid favourites in Pretty Pollyana and Ten Sovereigns and are races for viewing rather than betting although I expect Jash, flagged up here as one to follow after making an impressive winning debut on the July course, to go well.
After ITV have shut up shop there is one more cracking bet on the card, RIPP ORF, in the 5.55.
He was given a brilliant waiting ride by Jason Watson, whose 3lb claim is pure theft, to win at Ascot last time, one even Jamie Spencer would have been proud of.
Ripp Orf has a terrific record there but the Rowley Mile is another stiff test and, off just a 4lb higher mark in a race where there should be plenty of pace, he can pounce on the climb to the line.
MITCHUM SWAGGER (2.05) is the best bet on the card at Haydock. He is on the same mark as when third in the Lincoln at Doncaster in March, only beaten by Addeybb and Lord Glitters, both of whom have gone on to prove Group class performers.
Mitchum Swagger has not raced since but he goes well fresh, has an excellent record over this course and distance, loves a bit of cut in the ground and trainer Ralph Beckett has his string in terrific form.
He has a massive chance up against a squad of decent handicappers, who are solid at this level but lack the touch of quality the top weight possesses.
I spy an eyecatcher...
At Chelmsford last Saturday Saeed bin Suroor's GLOBAL HEAT ran a blinder on debut in the opening 7f novice race.
He had a terrible draw (12 of 14) and was slowly away to make matters worse. But he stayed on strongly in the home straight to take the runner-up spot in a race where he was the only newcomer to finish in the first six.
The Toronado colt cost 325,000gns as a yearling and looks as if he just might be worth it.There were some well-bred juvenile fillies in action at Kempton on Monday and PARISH POET could be profitable to follow.
She made her debut for Paul Cole in a 7f novice and had clearly been showing up well on the gallops as she was backed from 14-1 into 8s. But she struggled a little with the bend and had plenty to do entering the straight.
From there she stayed on in taking fashion without having anything like a hard race to take third behind the experienced Sir Michael Stoute-trained winner, Gold At Midnight, with John Gosden's well-touted Mary Somerville in second. Make a note of Parish Poet.
Chelmsford host another excellent Saturday card, albeit under floodlights, with more than £100,000 of prize money up for grabs.
SECRET ART (6.45) can grab a sizeable chunk of it for his connections. He never runs a bad race at the Essex track (form figures 51142) and is on the same mark as when second to Sir Michael Stoute's Adamant here last time.
There is nothing of that class against him tonight, he has a handy draw and Silvestre de Sousa, who has a good record on him, will do the steering. He will be hard to keep out of the frame - at the very least.