Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Ascot and Catterick on Saturday. View selections below.
FIELD OF GOLD (3.25) can stamp his authority over 15 rivals in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on a mouth-watering Champions’ Day card at Ascot.
The grey was caught out of his ground at a vital stage before staying on strongly to chase home Ruling Court in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Field Of Gold demolished some classy rivals in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and has been rested since posting a disappointing fourth behind shock winner Qirat in a messy Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
He is drawn alongside one of his chief market rivals in Rosallion, runner-up in the Sussex Stakes but subsequently only fourth behind re-opposing Ever So Bold in the City Of York Stakes.
Karl Burke has enjoyed a sterling season and Fallen Angel made all the running to land the Sun Chariot Stakes in some style at HQ two weeks ago. His grey filly looks sure to go well once again at a nice each-way price. Most firms are offering four places.
OMBUDSMAN (4.05) wins the vote over Delacroix and Calandagan in a rip-roaring renewal of the 1m 2f Qipco Champion Stakes.
The Godolphin colt had more than three lengths to spare over Delacroix in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York and is 3lb better off with that rival today.
Delacroix pounced on Ombudsman close home when landing a dramatic Coral-Eclipse at Sandown (receiving 10lb) but will do well to keep my tip at bay on these revised terms.
French hope Calandagan appeared all over the winner of this race 12 months ago, only to be collared by Anmaat in the final 100 yards.
He has been in cracking form once again this season and ran out an impressive winner of the King George over course and distance in July. This track plays to his hold-up style of racing.
WEMIGHTAKEDLONGWAY (2.45) may well outrun her big odds in the 1m 4f fillies and mares contest.
Three-year-olds dominated the finish last year and Kalpana is back to defend her crown with an obvious favourite’s chance.
However, my each-way selection will appreciate the return to this longer trip having finished fourth in a blanket finish to the Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp 13 days ago.
The Joseph O’Brien trained filly had earlier chased home Minnie Hawk in the Irish Oaks and on a collateral form line through the winner she holds better-fancied Estrange.
Alarm clocks at the ready for an innovative 10.30 start at Catterick where Ralph Beckett’s THOSEWERETHEDAYS (11.56) is worth a bet in the 1m 6f handicap.
His three-year-old ran out a comfortable four lengths winner of a Carlisle maiden on soft ground in September but let down favourite backers on his handicap debut at Haydock 18 days later when managing only a one-paced fourth. This longer trip will help.
Another three-year-old, the Simon and Ed Crisford trained Aajej, is interesting now stepping into handicap company on the back of two placed efforts at Southwell.
Tim Easterby sets a poser by running two fancied runners (in the same ownership) in the William Hill-sponsored 7f handicap, with slight preference for QUEST FOR FUN (12.23).
The top weight won this event by five lengths two seasons ago when the track was riding heavy and Quest For Fun chased home Count Palatine in a tight finish at Ayr recently.
Easterby’s other runner, Vince Le Prince, also handles Catterick well and was a beaten favourite when third here at the beginning of the month. He has ground to make up on re-opposing winner Mudamer but enjoys a healthy pull at the weights.
Tally Ho
Alan
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NB. All odds shown are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.
