Category: Horse Racing

Dublin Racing Festival 2023

As we’re closing in on the Cheltenham Festival, this weekend, all eyes will be on Leopardstown and its two-day Dublin Racing Festival, which marks one of the final opportunities to pick up hints and hips ahead of the Festival next month.

And no doubt, only a few weeks ago, the antepost for the Festival looked a lot different as since then a number of horses have weren’t meant to run have been added; equally a few horses that were topping the lists have been withdrawn. More on that could be found on our Cheltenham Antepost Special.

The relevance of this upcoming two race Festival at Leopardstown shouldn’t be ignored as it’s come to play a major factor in terms of providing Cheltenham Festival clues and this year’s meeting should be no exception, as the likes of State Man, Blue Lord, Lossiemouth, Galopin Des Champs and many more ante-post favourites will be in action across the two days.

Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors ‘€50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff’ Novices’ Hurdle

The first of the weekend’s Grade 1 races at Leopardstown is the ‘Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors ‘€50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff’ Novices’ Hurdle, which has attracted a very strong field to kickstart this high-class fixture.

Understandably, the betting is currently headed by Good Land, available at 2/1, who returned a good winner at this course over two-miles four-furlongs last time. Although some many believe that his victory isn’t enough to justify the level of backing for this race as he steps up considerably in grade, but we believe Good Land is for the good people and definitely worth a punt. Meanwhile, another horse, firmly in the mix is the six year old, Paul Nolan trained Sandor Clegane (4/1), who arrives on the back of an easy success at Punchestown.

It’s worth mentioning that he is jumping up from a maiden hurdle straight to a Grade 1 so improvement is required but, different to Good Land, Sandor Clegane is one for the shrewd punter and he’s definitely one to keep an eye on. Moreover, Paul Nolan has had a few tricky years and being such an excellent trainer, it’d be good to see him properly bounce back.

Gordon Elliot is coming in with a number of fantastic horses, American Mike, being one of them, who is available at 5/1 this weekend. He’s got an excellent chance if able to jump with more fluency than last time. He’s a smart prospect and his three-length second in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham reads well in the context of this race.

He holds entries in the Supreme, Ballymore and Albert Bartlett at the Festival in March but most likely, we will see him go down the Albert Bartlett route, in which he is a general 12/1 chance, and that price could look huge should he return to winning ways this weekend.

Some have argued that he’s the best horse in this race and perhaps, if he can channel his true ability, he should go close and be able to book his return to the Festival in March.

Spring Juvenile Hurdle 

The second race at the Dublin Racing Festival is the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle, where Willie Mullins holds the aces.

As it stands, the current Triumph Hurdle favourite at the  Cheltenham Festival, Lossiemouth, bids to keep his unbeaten record intact.

In essence, this race in particular has been a notable pointer towards identifying the Triumph Hurdle winner as seven of the last 11 Triumph Hurdle winners contested this race beforehand. This race is without question the best trial for the Triumph. That being said, it may be too early to completely write off Gala Marceau – a horse Mullins himself has been raving about since the beginning of the season. And it’s unusual for Mullins to be so vocal about a horse unless it’s rather special.

Last year’s winner Vauban is a perfect example of what this race can produce. Lossiemouth, who is 4/9 favourite this weekend, has won all three hurdle starts to date and the form of her Fairyhouse success has been advertised since with the third Comfort Zone winning on Trials Day at Cheltenham last weekend.

If Lossiemouth extends her unbeaten record here, there is no doubt she’ll be even shorter for the Triumph Hurdle betting and it’ll take a good one to beat her.

The leading trainer in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle over the last 20 renewals is W Mullins who has won the race 5 times. Those 5 winners came from Mister Hight (2006), Petite Parisienne (2015), Footpad (2016), Mr Adjudicator (2018) & Vauban (2022). Other trainers who have recorded multiple wins in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle are Gordon Elliott (2 wins), Joseph Patrick O’Brien (2 wins) & D K Weld (2 wins).

Irish Arkle Novice Chase

The Irish Arkle Novice Chase has been a notable good guide to finding Cheltenham Festival winners over the years. Douvan, Un De Sceau, Footpad, Energumene are just a handful of winners of this race this century to have also scored at the Festival in March.

Coincidentally, all of those mentioned were and are trained by Willie Mullins and it appears the champion trainer has a stranglehold on this year’s field as well, as four of the first five in the market are trained by the man himself.

Up until a few days ago, this was a, somehow, open race, and then Appreciate It was entered, which saw many punters, in rage, rip up their antepost slips. No doubt this incredible horse is now the favourite at 5/4. And it’s easy to see why; he is four-from-four at Leopardstown, with two of those wins coming in Grade 1 company and whilst he hasn’t beaten much in both his chase starts and there is more to come.

Paul Townend will most likely choose to ride him over his stablemates and it’ll take a good performance from anything else to see his colours lowered that’s for sure.

However, if there is one horse to spoil his party it could end up being stablemate  Saint Roi (7/1) who is a front runner in the antepost betting market in the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Interestingly, Saint Roi is the ONLY Grade 1 winner over fences in this field, which counts for plenty, and the fact he is still available at an attractive 7/1 makes him a standout each-way proposition here.

The Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup

The Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup is one of the biggest renewals on the National Hunt calendar and the Grade 1 contest over 3m should offer a few clues for the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival. 

In fact, just three horses have won this race and the Gold Cup in the same season – and Willie Mullins’ Galopin Des Champs (1/3) is set to bid to become the fourth to achieve the feat. Having said that, stablemate Stattler (7/2), the winner of last season’s National Hunt Chase, is prominent in the early market after an encouraging run on seasonal reappearance behind Minella Indo in the New Year’s Day Chase at Tramore.

Meanwhile, Gordon Elliott has won this race twice in the last three years and relies on track-and-trip winner Fury Road, while Grand National hopes The Big Dog (Peter Fahy) and Any Second Now (Ted Walsh) complete the list of potential runners.

Early Cheltenham Ante Post betting: Lessons from Trials Day

As National Hunt season heads towards February, this past Saturday saw Trial days at Cheltenham with nine races having rolled out across the famed Gloucestershire racecourse.

With the 2023 Cheltenham Festival now less than six weeks away, last weekend would have been a welcome boost for trainers, syndicates and jockeys alike with dreams of March glory now very real, whilst others have been dealt a sizeable reality check.

So as sights now turn to March 14, who performed, has been fed food for thought and who might be timing their next Cheltenham trip to perfection?

Editeur writing the script

What a season this is turning into for Editeur Du Gite.

Taking down not only red-hot 4/9f in Energumene but also storming finisher Edwardstone to win the Albert Bartlett Clarence House, trainer Gary Moore would have been envigored from his hospital bed as he convalesces.

A seventh career win for the 9yo, jockey Niall Houlihan was at home on board the French gentleman, making it two on the spin at 14/1, after a massive 28/1 win two days after Christmas at Kempton.

Delighting the Preston Family, we tipped Editeur to do well in last year’s Grand Annual, finishing fourth. Set to go in the Queen Mother this time around, Editeur Du Gite has already shown his credentials to take down the bigger names and is currently fourth favourite for a third win at Cheltenham but a first at the festival.

Editeur Du Gite 6/1 for the Queen Mother Champions Chase with UniBet, PariMatch and BetVictor.     

Work ahead for Delta

As one French outsider looked to further his reputation ahead of a big few months, Delta Work’s took a hit in coming third in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase.

Having taken the baton from legendary stablemate Tiger Roll in last year’s Cross Country Chase, Gordon Elliott’s gelding is now into double figures in age which might prompt a few doubts over the still strong favourite to retain his crown over 3m6f.

Here, an unsuccessful run for Rob James, when Delta Work makes the trip back to Gloucestershire it is still in serious doubt whether Jack Kennedy will be back in the saddle after his broken leg.

With the returning Davy Russell now back on the scene, could it be that the man who rode Tiger Roll to so many glories jumps back on board for a former rival? If he did, that could make all the difference.

Delta Work 5/4 for the Cross Country Chase with Coral and BetFred.

Noble Yeats’ hopes derailed

Well, we could still see a dual winner of both the Grand National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup this year. We do have a very real chance of it happening, however, Noble Yeats’ hopes were dealt a blow in the Paddy Power Chase.

Like Delta Work, the 8yo Irish gelding who gave Sam Waley-cohen a stunning 50/1 send off with victory at Aintree last Spring came home third behind the increasingly impressive Ahoy Senor and Sounds Russian.

What was good to see even in defeat though, was Sean Bowen proved Noble Yeats is not only still a stayer but a finisher.

As incredible it was seeing him hold off Mark Walsh and Any Second Now last April in Liverpool, winning the Gold Cup against a Galopin Des Champs who has lost just once in seven races and a defending champ in A Plus Tard – amongst others – would be truly extraordinary.

As history dictates, only Golden Miller and L’Escargot having achieved that lofty feat. But. Fairy-tales do happen.

Noble Yeats 7/1 to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup with most bookies.

Paisley Park’s Stayers’ task

Was Paisley Park’s rousing win at Kempton on Boxing Day simply a flash in the pan? The jury is out, but a second win in the Stayers’ Hurdle looks a tall task.

The 11/8f to win Saturday’s Dahlbury Cleve Hurdle, the veteran found the soft going tough and unlike his win in the Long Walk, held up well into the final flights before being unable to keep pace with 14/1 Gold Tweet.

Whilst that particular French raider has now gone in to 9/1 for next month’s race, runner-up Dashel Drasher has lengthened considerably in the markets, with Paisley Park having almost doubled in odds from Friday.

Emma Lavelle’s 11yo has finished third in the Stayers’ for the past two years but improving on that or regaining his throne from 2019 could be a bridge too far with the in-form Teahupoo, Home By The Lee and Flooring Porter seeking to hold the crown for a third year on the bounce.

Paisley Park can usually be relied on to place, however, and fans of this very game old boy know, never rule him out.

Paisley Park 20/1 to win the Stayers’ Hurdle with PaddyPower and Betfair.

The Betfair Tingle Creek Festival is back for 2022 but this year, the weather has put spanners in the work as the lack of rain could mar Tingle Creek Chase with Shishkin a doubt, Jonbon and Greaneteen big favourites on Saturday.

Friday kicks off the two-day festival that sees 13 races, with three graded races set to feature some of the top chasers in the game.

The issue this year is the rain, something that’s been prevalent this season is the lack of it at this late stage in the winter, effecting some of the biggest races causing multiple non-runners.

Earlier in November at Ascot there were a plethora of withdrawals on the day causing the whole meeting to only feature 30 horses.

There are plenty this weekend that will relish faster ground but it may be disaster for the Tingle Creek Chase where Shishkin and Edwardstone are far from confirmed runners due to the going.

Friday Tingle Creek Festival Betting Tips

2.20: Henri The Second

The Tingle Creek Chase and the Close Brother Henry VIII Novices’ Chase feature on the Saturday, but Friday’s feature race is the Grade 2 Ballymore Winter Novices’ Hurdle which should be led by Henri The Second.

Trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Harry Cobden, the pair could get a few winners at the festival this weekend with favourites scattered across the big races.

He had his hurdle debut in October and although he came second as 10/11 favourite there should be more to come from this Class 1 winning flat runner.

Especially against others in the field that are also still finding their feet and could be found out at this level.

Saturday Tingle Creek Festival Betting Tips

1.10: Jatiluwih 

This sort of Class 2 hurdle is packed with potential but it comes from the Philip Hobbs-trained potential outsider Jatiluwih.

Off a mark of 148 this now eight-year-old was running in Grade 3’s, placing behind Third Wind and generally running with merit before going pointing, hunter chasing and then chasing.

His last three runs have seen his rating plummet to 138 but his poorer run in January can be forgiven for losing a shoe and not jumping fluently.

That won’t necessarily be an issue back over hurdles and will be much more economical, along with being much more competitive not carrying nearly as much when last seen over hurdles in top-class company.

2.20: Dixon Cove 16/1 each-way

There’s a few in this big field that are unexposed with only a few runs in their form to guide punters in how they will fare.

When comparing them to the likes of Love Envoi who won six in a row, unbeaten until her last run at Fairyhouse in a Grade 1 mares hurdle, it’s difficult to see how these newcomers will fare.

But they do have the weight advantage to counteract that and that’s where you often see big prices come and shock big fields and the top class races.

One of those is Dixon Cove, trained by Paul Nicholls, who was a Grade 3 hurdler in France back in May and won on his British debut at Hereford, easily by 13l and could be well-weighted on his France form.

2.55, Tingle Creek Chase: Greaneteen 1/1

Will there be enough rain for Shishkin? It’s not too likely at this stage which is probably why he’s drifted in the odds and seen Greaneteen head the market at evens.

And if betting at this stage, it’s certainly the safest bet as you’re also left with Edwardstone likely heading out due to the ground there’s just five runners left.

Gentleman De Mee looks weaker than Greaneteen at this stage, as does Captain Guinness, Funambule Sivola and Dunvegan.

The even money offered now might look like great value when it comes to the off on Saturday.

With the jumps season in full swing, we have a fabulous weekend ahead of us with three of last season’s Cheltenham Festival winners in action at Ascot on Saturday.

L’Homme Presse (2.05) and Edwardstone (15:15), winners of the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase and Sporting Life Arkle respectively, make their seasonal reappearances. However, the headline act on the card is, for all the right reasons, Constitutional Hill (14.40), whose 22-length defeat of Jonbon in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle earned him a huge Timeform rating of 177p, the highest the company has ever awarded to a novice hurdler, passing the benchmark of 176 set by Golden Cygnet in 1978.

In fact, only five hurdlers, of any experience, have achieved a higher rating than Constitution Hill, who is unsurprisingly a short-price favourite for the Champion Hurdle in March at 1/5.

He will be a prohibitively short price on Saturday – he’s 21 lb clear of his nearest rival in Timeform ratings – but it’s great to have one of the most exciting horses in training back on the track.

But it’s not just Constitutional Hill who’s likely to make his presence felt this weekend as another super star is also in action at Haydock on Saturday, namely, Cheltenham Gold Cup winner A Plus Tard (4/7) who’s set to defend his Betfair Chase crown.

The Irish may have come up short in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham on Sunday but it’s worth noting that they had a one-two in a handicap hurdle on the opening day of the meeting and also had a well-backed handicap winner on the Saturday in the shape of Unanswered.

The British will know all about the Irish representative in Saturday’s valuable Betfair Exchange Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle (14:25) at Haydock as the Charles Byrnes-trained  Run For Oscar has already made two successful raids on the Flat in recent months.

Run For Oscar (3/1) justified short-price favouritism in a Sunday Series Handicap here in August and he then registered a similarly emphatic success in the Cesarewitch, really catching the eye with how he tanked into contention.

He’s also unexposed as a staying hurdler and, given the sort of form he’s been in on the Flat, is a really interesting runner at Haydock.

Cheltenham clues in Punchestown opener? 

There’s a fascinating clash in the two-and-a-half-mile beginners’ chase (12:30) that kicks off the card at Punchestown on Saturday and there could be some ripples in the market for the Turners Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Kilcruit (25/1) and Journey With Me (33/1) may be big prices in that ante-post market, but they are both talented types with the potential to take high rank over fences.

Journey With Me was disappointing on his final start of the season at Punchestown, but he ran well in the Ballymore at the Cheltenham Festival where he fell at the last when likely to have finished just behind the runner-up. He had won his first two starts over hurdles in good style and has the physique to do better over fences.

It’s all to play for this weekend! Stayed tuned as we will keep a close eye on the market at the weekend’s races get underway.

Golden Trip’s 20/1 win in Monday’s Melbourne Cup at Flemington whetted the appetite in spectacular style for one of the biggest weeks on the racing calendar.

Capped off with this weekend’s Breeders Cup beginning on Friday at Keeneland, some of the biggest names in flat racing have assembled on the dirt track in Kentucky for 14 Group 1 races. We have already showcased one of the biggest clashes in the Bluegrass State as Golden Pal and Highfield Princess go head-to-head in the Turf Sprint on Saturday, but who else do we have our punter’s eye on?

Here are our picks to feature.

*all times GMT

Juvenile Turf Sprint, Friday, 19:00  

Friday’s action sees the 2yos take centre stage and first up in the Juvenile Turf, with The Platinum Queen is presented with her latest chance to dazzle on US debut.

Though untested outside of Europe, the 2yo won her first race away from British soil – and not just any race – with victory in the Prix de l’Abbeye at Longchamp, where the filly showed true staying power to hold off 30/1 long-shot White Lavender.

The favourite for the opening race of this weekend’s meet, it is her ability to hold on gamely that should suit at Keeneland.

Love Reigns and Irad Ortiz may provide the sternest competition with two wins from two in America, having also placed well in the Queen Mary in June after being well backed.

If, however, it comes down to a flat sprint – on the Turf no less – The Platinum Queen should be golden. A pretty decent 10/3price.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Friday, 21:00

As racing then switches to the Dirt, Friday’s penultimate contest sees Cave Rock looking to retain his unbeaten three-race record.

Winner on debut at Del Mar in August, the colt again won on the San Diego track a month later and earlier last month won at Santa Anita, beating stablemate National Treasure – who also goes here – by a mammoth 5½L.

This is obviously a step-up in class and punters may not get much value at around 2/3, but if Cave Rock goes out to evens before the race, he could double your money.

Breeders’ Cup Mile, Saturday, 19:00

The Turf Mile at Keeneland looks the best shot of a European winner and though Modern Games could very easily take the winning post, on the evidence of his late-season form, Kinross gets our vote.

With six races under the belt in 2022, after a rather sluggish start to the season, the 5yo gelding won for the first time in 13 months in the City of York Stakes and since then has gone on a four-race winning streak.

Looking for number five here on his US debut, in the last two outings Kinross was scintillating in the Prix de la Foret and then a fortnight ago on Qipco Champions Day. If he brings that from across the Atlantic with Frankie Dettori at a price of 10/3, Ralph Beckett could be a very happy man come Saturday evening.

Breeders’ Cup Turf, Saturday, 21:00

Our fourth and final pick centres on the big finale of the weekend, the Breeders’ Cup Turf over 1m4f and looking for some better value here, we have a pretty good feeling for War Like Goddess.

Third in last year’s Fillies and Mares Turf to Japanese raider Loves Only You and Chad B Brown’s My Sister Nat, Jose Lezcano took over the reins last time out at Belmont but this time around, Joel Rosario is back on board a horse he has won with on both occasions so far at Keeneland.

Wanting to bounce back from her own defeat to Virginia Joy at Saratoga back in September, in War Like Goddess’ 11 career entries, seven victories have come the mare’s way.

William Mott has enjoyed a good week with wins at Indiana Grand and Churchill Downs and the South Dakotan trainer will like his chances of a third and much more prestigious win. War Like Goddess could end the bettors’ weekend on a high with odds of 9/2 but which could yet shorten.

With next month’s Breeders Cup at Keeneland now in sight, one of the final acts of this year’s flat season takes place on Saturday, as the cream of this season’s winners assemble at Ascot for Qipco Champions Day.

Casting our punter’s eye across the day for what should be a fitting denouement to a classic season at home, we have picked a winner from each race, either at a short or longer price.

British Champions Long Distance Cup

First up is the furthest trip of Champions Day, the Long Distance Cup. Will Trueshan finally shine? Denied more races after one of the hottest summers on record, Alan King’s 6yo was forced to drop out of the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, with an injury then also seeing Trueshan’s withdrawal from the Lonsdale Cup at the Ebor Festival. Having run just four times this year, a five-win streak was broken at Glorious Goodwood by the indomitable Kyprios with a second defeat as 4/7f to Coltrane following at Doncaster last month. The French gelding and Hollie Doyle will be desperate to end the term on a high here.

Pivotally for the duo, rain has arrived to soften the going and with the turf slowed considerably, this is surely the time for redemption to end the season. Eldar Eldarov might be the sternest test but it should finally be victory at Ascot for Trueshan at 15/8.

British Champions Sprint

In the Champions Sprint over 6f, the powerhouse duo of Will Buick and Charlie Appleby look set to go off favourites with defending champion Creative Force, however, we are plumping for Rohaan to continue his sterling form in Berkshire. A winner here a fortnight ago, Rohaan memorably stormed through the field at Royal Ascot to snatch the Wokingham at a lofty price of 18/1 back in June.

Going for a third-straight win on the same track this weekend, though the 4yo may have finished a lowly 18^th in this very race last year, 12 months maturity has seen the gelding come on leaps and bounds. Hovering between 9/2 and 4/1, a horse who has had four different jockeys this season looks to have found a bond with Adam Kirby. It could be a winning one again.

British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes

Having swerved the Godolphin colours in the sprint, we are however, backing Appleby and Buick to take the win in the Fillies and Mares Stakes, in the shape of Eternal Pearl.

Emily Upjohn may be the bookies’ choice, but the truth is, since her eye-opening win at Sandown and again at York in the spring, a runners-up finish behind Tuesday in the Oaks was then followed by flat last at the Jubilee meet in July – the 3yo’s last contest. Eternal Pearl, meanwhile, has won the last four races and is unbeaten since the end of June. A fresher option than Frankie Dettori on this particular filly, a 9/2 punt may be a shrewd call.

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes

As pre-cursor to the main event, this year’s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes will of course have a poignant feel. A race first held in 1955, this first edition since her majesty’s passing will echo throughout the racing world. So what of a winner over a mile? Inspiral is our pick.

Currently evens in the markets, with six wins from seven, the British filly’s only minor blip came at Newmarket in a shock defeat in July, only weeks after destroying the field to win the Coronation Stakes. A close winner at Deauville last time out by a neck, Inspiral might have not it all her own way, but surely Frankie will steer another winner here?

Champion Stakes

And so to the main event. One word. Baaeed.

The Queen Anne; The Sussex; The Juddmonte; all claimed by William Haggas’ magical and undefeated 4yo colt this year. Since debuting in June 2021, Baaeed has taken down all challengers and here looks to defend the crown from last year.

Could Adayar sustain a threat? With just one ride under the belt for 2022, a win at Doncaster last month would have been good prep and there will be hopes that a fresher horse might challenge the might of the 2/7 heavy favourite after a long campaign. But can we see anything other than a Baaeed win? Nope.

Balmoral Handicap

Closing out Champions Day is the Balmoral, perhaps by some considerable way the most open race of the card. Our gut feeling is for Escobar to once more take on allcomers.

Of the 20-strong field currently set to race, only David O’Meara’s relative veteran won their last contest. Having somewhat book-ended the season with victory back in May at York, the 8yo timed a perfect surge at Ascot only weeks ago to pip Mum’s Tipple to the Challenge Cup.

With just those two wins in 11 for the season, Escobar took the Balmoral three years ago and with three placings during the year, has enjoyed steady progress.

Showing the sort of ticker last time out that have won many punters over throughout the last six years, Escobar looked to have plenty in the tank after a long season. If needing another dash to the winning post, Escobar’s price of 11/1 is at the very least worthy of an e/w bet.

Cambridgeshire Meeting 2022: Weekend ones to watch

With autumn now dawned, the final weeks on the Flat season are upon us and Newmarket is this week’s centre of attention, with the Cambridgeshire Meet on the Rowley Mile.

After opening day on Thursday, Friday and Saturday’s races are stacked, with some very well-backed favourites and some rather longer but intriguing horses that could do very well. Who might you consider backing across the remaining two days in Suffolk? Here are our tips.

Crystal Caprice, Rosemary Stakes – 7/4 (Friday, 13:50)

We start off with Friday’s opener, the Rosemary Stakes and look to the set favourite Crystal Caprice. A horse we backed at Glorious Goodwood, the 3yo seeks a fourth win on the spin. 

Again a comfortable winner at Ascot last time out, Sir Michael Stoute’s ride has been a dominant figure of late and we cannot see a reason not to back Caprice again, comfortable as she is with the favourites’ tag. Could be pushed by Jim Crowley and Zanbaq but electric over 1m, should be a very able winner with Ryan Moore in tow at 7/4.

Voodoo Queen, Dubai Stakes – 11/1 (Friday, 14:25) 

The Dubai Stakes that follow will see Sea Silk Road and Eternal Pearl likely go off as favourites – the latter having won the last three also – but our fancy might just go with Voodoo Queen. 

Though fifth last time out, has won at Newmarket already this season and a bigger sell is the scintillating form of trainer Roger Varian who had a stunning time at Ayr last weekend. Will need good ground – always a lottery at this stage of the season – but an 11/1 shot, the 3yo looks good.

Lezoo, Cheveley Park Stakes – 6/1 (Saturday, 14:25)

The Cheveley Park on Saturday also catches the eye, not least Lezoo. Winner of the Keeneland Stakes over Kinta at Ascot in July, the filly has been beaten into second only once. That was here at Newmarket, but that itself was on the back of a win on the same course only weeks earlier. 

With Will Buick on board for the first time here, though the Norwegian-Brit has had a rather chequered season, Lezoo and Buick is a team enough to back at a decent 6/1 price.

Totally Charming, Cambridgeshire Handicap – 10/1 (Saturday, 15:40)

With 22 runners set to go in the main event of the meet, this will be a big betting race but its outcome is not such the lottery over 1m1f. So who to back? Mujtaab? Protagonist?

Totally Charming is our punt. Winner on Derby weekend at Epsom in early June, has put together two other winners this year. A chastening ninth at Royal Ascot, a first outing here for three months could see some rust and will need to make a late dash to feature. With that said, Buick can get the best from the gelding at a solid 10/1 value.