Following the immense highs of York’s Ebor meeting, Beverley and Sandown Racecourse are under the ITV spotlight this weekend for a fair day of action.
But first, a look at how The Top Three is sitting heading into September.
What a brilliant horse SILVER SWORD is!
He wins the final race at York at 7/1 to make it three profitable days in a row for the @BestOfBetsUK column 😃
Super horse for connections – massive congrats to @dylancunha_uk.
pic.twitter.com/tIoaaHUVmh https://t.co/ixuFlFSN4H
— Ash Symonds Journalism (@ASymondsJourno) August 25, 2023
Overall, there have been 74 selections in the series since May 13th. Until the start of Royal Ascot on June 20th, the series was in profit by 28.65 points, however, after no winners through the entire week and a rough run until Glorious Goodwood, the P&L dropped into the negatives.
Despite this, a profit of 17.45 points at the Ebor Festival means that The Top Three, after nearly four months, is in profit by 3.585 points.
That isn’t an impressive number, but profit is profit and hopefully, this form can continue heading into the next few weeks.
So, with that in mind, here are today’s three fancies.
1:50 Sandown – Indemnify @ 10/3 with William Hill – 2pt Win
The first bet from Sandown Racecourse comes in the opening seven-furlong handicap and having seen plenty of money all week, today could be the day for Indemnify to return to the winners’ enclosure at 10/3.
The four-year-old grey by Lope De Vega has raced four times this season, though his only victory of the year occurred with previous trainer Roger Varian at Sandown over a furlong further than today’s trip.
2nd win for 4yo g INDEMNIFY @Raydawson101 in 8f handicap @Sandownpark tonight for @BallylinchStud Lope De Vega @varianstable pic.twitter.com/c14dOXm3Dk
— Steven Cargill (@Steven_Cargill) May 25, 2023
The gelding has raced once over seven furlongs during his career when second on the all-weather at Newcastle in a novice event beaten narrowly by Baltimore Boy.
Since then, connections opted to run him over longer distances and recently, when racing over a mile on his last three starts, jockey Kieran O’Neill has consistently dropped him out towards the rear of the field, notably when fifth to the well-handicapped Perotto on stable debut for Alice Haynes in the Coral Challenge Handicap at Sandown.
Perotto leads them home in the Coral Challenge@TomMarquand lands another success for @varianstable #ITVRacing | @Sandownpark pic.twitter.com/IRgoarE6dT
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) July 8, 2023
These tactics act as a contrast to his three-year-old season where his best performances came from prominent positions.
Potentially, you could see a reversal in racing position today to send him into a more prominent position from the start in order to use his useful stamina trait.
Off a competitive mark of 91, Indemnify ran an eye-catching race at Sandown – a course he is very familiar with – 13 days ago and if he can take advantage of a potential lack of pace in the contest, he could be the one to side with.
2:25 Sandown – Midnight Mile @ 13/2 with William Hill – 1pt EW
As discussed on Wednesday’s Ante-post Analysis, despite the main play of Astral Beau at the prices, Midnight Mile was also on my agenda for the Group 3 Atalanta Stakes and with her still remaining in the race, she gets the nod at 13/2.
Having been with her last time out at Haydock when third to Al Aasy in the Group 3 Rose Of Lancaster Stakes, she performed well under Oisin Orr for the majority of the contest before failing to see out the full 10 furlongs.
In running, her last outing was a tricky contest as she sat more prominently than her York victory two starts ago and hit the front with two furlongs to go, so all Orr could do was press the button and see if she could withstand 400 metres at top speed.
Delivered to perfection! 🏇@JimCrowley1978 gave favourite Al Aasy a peach of a ride to win the Group 3 Rose Of Lancaster Stakes @haydockraces 👏 pic.twitter.com/Avg5lNMzPs
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 12, 2023
Unfortunately, she didn’t and was passed by Al Aasy and El Drama, but against the more experienced horses, she still ran a great race.
Back at a mile today on rain-softened ground, she could get a nice tow into the race from Mysterious Love and Nibras Angel if connections revert to tactics and sit her in midfield.
If returning to her best, she could be a dangerous proposition in receipt of five pounds from her elders, so with that in mind, I’ll be siding with Midnight Mile.
2:40 Beverley – Silky Wilkie @ 5/2 General – 2pt Win
The Beverley Bullet includes a field of just seven runners this year and unfortunately for readers of Wednesday’s Ante-Post Analysis, Rage Of Bamby is not one of them.
I can only apologise for her absence, but as a replacement, Silky Wilkie looks like a good replacement to be with at 5/2.
The four-year-old by Mehmas has had an action-packed – but largely successful – campaign for Karl Burke and owners Middleham Park Racing having raced without a break since November 2022.
Cracking finish to the Dash!
Navello (25/1) gets there on the line in the famous five-furlong sprint to land the Aston Martin "Dash" Handicap for @gbougheyracing and @Atzenijockey 👏 #DerbyFestival pic.twitter.com/JafIDBmNuD
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 3, 2023
Although there would be a small worry about him being on the go for so long, the £17,500 purchase has only finished outside of the first four on three occasions in 14 runs.
This streak of consecutive runs includes a second to Annaf at Lingfield in January, a short-head second in the Epsom Dash, and a second in the Listed City Walls Stakes at York in July, all of which is good form.
Silky Wilkie returned to the track after a 27-day break on Thursday for a Racing League handicap over five furlongs, a race in which he ran promisingly to finish fourth when not asked too many questions.
🇮🇪 Two on the night for Team Ireland! Alligator Alley lands the @RacingLeagueUK feature for @DylanBrowneMcM and @omeararacing at @NewcastleRaces… pic.twitter.com/NzDbY65YF8
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 31, 2023
His task in handicap company off a mark of 108 was tough two days ago, so today’s Listed Beverley Bullet should be more to his liking and hopefully, the hardy four-year-old can show them a clean pair of heels.
