Best Of Bets

Tag: haydock sprint cup

  • Four To Follow: Sprint & Stay

    Four To Follow: Sprint & Stay

    It’s a busy weekend up and down the country, in a tale of two halves. Up at Haydock, the forecast is dry for a terrific renewal of the Sprint Cup. But down South, it looks a typical Autumn day in Britain with rain covering both Ascot and Kempton. With that in mind, it makes an interesting four to follow.

     

    Haydock

    My Gift To You

    Embed from Getty Images

    1:15 – Superior Mile Stakes (Group Three) – Cicero’s Gift @ 100/30 (William Hill, BetVictor, Boylesports)

    It looks a rather competitive Group Three on paper. But take ground into consideration and it’s more an open and shut case. With two runs under his belt, Cicero’s Gift is worth appeal at his price. He won on soft ground in the Coral Challenge by half a length and came out with a good excuse at Goodwood, saying he’d prefer slower ground. He’s got that today and is the only horse in the field with soft ground favourability. He’s a favourite who should deliver.

     

    Captain Jack

    Embed from Getty Images

    3:35 – Sprint Cup Stakes (Group One) – Bucanero Fuerte @ 8/1 (William Hill, BetVictor)

    For those who don’t know, Bucanero Fuerte roughly translates as Mighty Pirate into English. And this swashbuckling horse can certainly make an impact in this Group One sprint. He’s been off the track with an injury, but not before he achieved a Group Three victory at The Curragh. Read further into his form as a two-year-old and his win in the Phoenix Stakes speaks volumes, when beating Porta Fortuna by four lengths. Top rated and a force to be reckoned with.

    Each-way value belongs to Jasour, a sprinter who’s gone quietly about his business this season. He started off with a win in the Commonwealth Cup trial, before finishing third in the race proper. Then a sixth against the older horses wasn’t too harmful to his performance. The extended break has given him time to freshen up and is on the right side of the draw. 12/1 (BetVictor).

     

    Kempton

    A Group Three Phenomenon

    Embed from Getty Images

    2:35 – Unibet September Stakes (Group Three) – Hamish @ 2/1 (William Hill)

    In recent years this race has been used for a trail for the Arc in France. However, this year looks unlikely. But there’s one horse who’s won Group Three races at a canter. And that’s Hamish. In fact he won this exact race back in 2021. After the season he has had, it’s hard to abandon him after his blip at Newmarket, and Lion’s Pride doesn’t look a Group horse in any shape or form.

     

    Ascot

    Say A Little Prayer

    Embed from Getty Images

    2:10 – Chapel Down Heritage Handicap – The Reverend @ 4/1 (William Hill)

    The Reverend has put in a good shout for his past three performances. Especially his heavy form debut, gives him an upper hand against the opposition. His dam has produced middle distance horses before, so trip shouldn’t be an issue. However with five pounds raised for nearest rival Goodwood Odyssey, the weights for The Reverend look very attractive.

    The very best of luck!

     

  • Four To Follow: Leopardstown Ladies

    Four To Follow: Leopardstown Ladies

    As we approach the end of the season (and the start of the jumps!), the stars are all reappearing for one final hurrah! First up is Irish Champions weekend, and we head to Leopardstown for a tasty looking Irish Champion Stakes. There’s also the small matter of the Sprint Cup at Haydock as well. Here’s this week’s four to follow.

     

    Leopardstown

    Long Time, No Tah-see

    Embed from Getty Images

    2:45 – Coolmore ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes (Group One) – Tahiyra @ Evs (General)

    Tahiyra is an undoubtable talent, but she’s only ran three times this season. Which makes her return to the track all the more tantalising. However, the Matron Stakes has the habit to throw up some real surprises. No favourite has won since Legatissimo in 2015, and has been the only favourite to win in the last 10 years. But Tahiyra is clear on ratings, versatile on ground with a slight bias to firmness, and has every right to be favourite, even after a period off the track.

    To follow her in, Just Beautiful looked as though she could become a talking horse when winning the Lanwades Stud Stakes all the way back in May. But she’s been off the track for some time, and is making a crucial step up to Group One level. Her previous form says she’ll get the ground, and has a couple of decent formlines. Interesting at 9/1 (William Hill)

     

    Not Just The Boys

    Embed from Getty Images

    3:20 – Irish Champion Stakes (Group One) – Nashwa @ 11/2 (General)

    This looks, on paper, one of the races of the season. Two three-year-olds who have captured the racing world, plus plenty of Group One experience in the mix as well. But it’s Nashwa I’m drawn to after her performance in the International Stakes. Many people disregarded her, but she finished in between, arguably, the two best horses in the race. She was Only beaten by a length that day, and comes to Leopardstown with conditions on her side, plus John Gosden’s record in the race in recent years puts her in the frame and make the race her own.

    Spare a thought for Luxembourg who seems to be totally disregarded, despite having a good career, three Group One’s including the race last year. He wasn’t up to standard, but you could argue he drops to a preferred trip here. And just because Ryan Moore is on the other horse, doesn’t necessarily means he’s on the right one. Each-way claims at 10/1 (William Hill, BetVictor, BetUK)

     

    Too E-Aasy

    Embed from Getty Images

    4:30 – Paddy Power Stakes (Group Three) – Al Aasy @ 11/4 (William Hill)

    It beggars belief how Al Aasy is second favourite. His performances, whilst at Listed level, have been eye-catching and he steps up in trip for the first time since his reappearance in the Fred Archer. But he has narrowly been denied at the top level, and it’s that previous Group One experience that may just put him over the line against Adelaide River, who hasn’t won this season, or since his debut. Whilst Adelaide River has disappointed, Al Aasy has made smooth progress and can follow up here at Leopardstown.

     

    Haydock

    Slam Dunk Finish

    Embed from Getty Images

    3:35 – Sprint Cup (Group One) – Shaquille @ Evs (William Hill, BetVictor)

    Shaquille has very much picked up the gauntlet as the top sprinter of the season. From one Northern horse (Highfield Princess) to another, Shaquille has impressed with the turn of foot unlike any other sprinter at the top level. He may dwell at the start, but his jet engine propels him to the front to pick of those who are no match for him. And on paper, it looks another open and shut case.

    Or does it? Sacred was incredibly unlucky at Royal Ascot when denied by 80/1 shot Khaadem, and has been out for revenge since. Whilst previous form suggests his best distance is over seven, on quicker ground it’s much better over six. It was evident when disappointing in the City of York Stakes last time out, and the quick turnaround plus drop in trip may give him a chance to spoil Shaq’s shindig. Next best in the field at 17/2 (William Hill)

    The very best of luck!