Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Thirsk, Newmarket and Doncaster on Saturday. View selections below.
OBELIX (2.35) can take advantage of an attractive handicap mark in the competitive one-mile Ladbrokes Thirsk Hunt Cup.
Julie Camacho has her string in top order and Obelix caught the eye when finishing a never-nearer fourth over a shorter trip here three weeks ago.
My selection is 3lb better off with runner-up Rhythm Master and Obelix scored over this distance at Haydock last September off a similar rating.
The 2023 winner Northern Express appears to be in the grip of the handicapper and, indeed, many of Obelix’s rivals are well exposed.
With 13 runners declared, most firms are offering four places each-way.
FIELD OF GOLD (3.35) has been all the rage for the Betfred 2000 Guineas on the back of last month’s emphatic Craven Stakes success and public confidence can be rewarded at Newmarket.
The John and Thady Gosden-trained grey produced a telling burst of speed to draw more than three lengths clear of useful Wimbledon Hawkeye and that performance sets the bar high.
Ruling Court has halved in price on the back of a smart training gallop and Charlie Appleby’s colt scored by six lengths at Meydan in March wearing a first-time tongue-tie.
However, he finished just behind Wimbledon Hawkeye when that pair occupied the places behind The Lion In Winter at York in August and on that piece of collateral form Ruling Court has a bit of ground to make up on Field Of Gold.
Aidan O’Brien strips Dewhurst Stakes runner-up Expanded, the winner of a Curragh maiden on debut early last October, and betting activity should be revealing.
There are a couple of tight handicaps on the support card and DUTCH DECOY (2.20) is trading at lucrative odds in the 1m 1f Betfred Suffolk Stakes.
Charlie Johnston’s gelding chased home subsequent Cambridgeshire winner Liberty Lane in this event 12 months ago and races off an identical mark.
Dutch Decoy arrives here on the back of an eye-catching pipe-opener at Ripon 16 days ago when making late headway into fifth. Joe Fanning takes over from an apprentice.
Godolphin’s top weight Arabian Light strolled home in a novice stakes here last July and went on to score over this trip in Meydan back in February.
Harry Charlton’s Hand Of God created a big impression when landing some good bets at Royal Ascot last summer and bids to defy an 11lb higher perch.
Billy Loughnane takes the reins on CLASSIC ENCOUNTER (5.50) and the four-year-old is worth a wager in the one-mile handicap.
Classic Encounter acts well on a straight track, a fact emphasised by his latest success over this trip at Redcar 26 days ago, and may defy a 4lb rise.
Last year’s winner Crack Shot was a beaten favourite at Kempton early last month but should strip sharper under William Buick.
NATIVE HONEY (5.10) can go well at big odds in the one-mile handicap on the round course at Doncaster.
The gelding, formerly trained in Ireland by Jim Bolger, was having his first start for Jim Goldie at Musselburgh almost three weeks ago and was noted staying on just behind the principals. Native Honey met some trouble down on the rail that day and has been eased 2lb by the handicapper.
Tally Ho
Alan
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NB. All odds shown are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.
