Find all previous Seymour Biz racing previews in his weekly column: Saturday Horse Racing Tips.
After the many successes over the last three months for Irish and British Champion Trainer Willie Mullins, we now move into the Flat season and prepare to worship at the feet of another champion trainer, Aidan O’Brien.
This Saturday sees the first of this season’s Classics, the 2000 Guineas, and O’Brien has the odds-on favourite, City Of Troy. This unbeaten colt has been dubbed the Irish Frankel. He needs to be a horse to live up to that billing, and perhaps Charlie Appleby’s Notable Speech may have something to say about that.
ITV Racing are covering four races from Newmarket, including the 2000 Guineas and the Palace House Stakes. This meeting is backed up by a race each from Goodwood, a fillies Listed race, and Thirsk, the Hunt Cup.
Neither of these contests have any O’Brien entrants or Irish runners for that matter so they are giving the British trainers a chance to get on the scoreboard. Here are my thoughts for the best value from this Saturday’s racing and this week’s Lucky Fifteen.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
1.45 Newmarket. Apollo One
2.20 Newmarket. Torito
2.55 Newmarket. Kerdos
2.40 Thirsk. Look Back Smiling
Bet this lucky 15 now on Bet365
The main meeting of the day is at Newmarket, and I will start there with the 1.45- the William Hill Extra Place Races Handicap. This is a Class 2 contest run over 6 furlongs.
Top weight and highly fancied is Charlie Appleby’s Noble Style, who, after a successful 2-year-old career failed to win last season when highly tried. He drops into handicap company to try and find that elusive victory but his weight may hold him back.
David O’Meara’s Summerghand looks to add to his formidable record but he is a 10-year-old and has not won in five attempts this year.
O’Meara also runs Aberama Gold who won last year’s Stewards Cup. He ran third here at the Craven Meeting and is handicapped to run well.
David Evans’s Rohaan has had a couple of runs on the all-weather in March but he has become something of an Ascot specialist these days.
I like Charles Hills Rabaah who has not run for 11 months. He was only fifth in a Listed contest last May as a 3-year-old but should have got stronger this year.
But my preference is for Charalambous and Clutterbuck’s Apollo One who came very close but no cigar last season. He can be forgiven for his last run at York on soft going.
The 2.20 is the William Hill Suffolk Stakes a 1m 1f race and is another Class 2 contest. Dominic Davis’s Mr Professor won at Doncaster in March at a big price but has risen in the handicap since.
Similarly, with Ed Walker’s Hafeet Alain, who won last month here at Newmarket in the Craven meeting. The extra weight may hold him back.
There are several from that race that reopposes here, the best of which may be David O’Meara’s Bopedro, who was drawn on the wrong side in that race. He is a dual winner here at Newmarket.
Charlie Johnson’s Lion Of War ran a fine second at Royal Ascot last June, then crossed the Atlantic to have a couple of runs in the USA, but he was unsuccessful. He can be placed at a decent price.
My idea of the winner is The Gosden’s Torito, who won at Epsom last June and was fourth at Royal Ascot later in the month after not getting a clear run. He looks like the pick of the pack.
The William Hill Palace House Stakes is at 2.55. I have put this 5-furlong Group 3 race in this week’s Lucky Fifteen as it seems a very open contest.
Charles Hills’ Equality won at Musselburgh last month after wintering in Dubai. He steps up in class after that victory.
Hills also runs Mitbaahy, who was fourth here last month. He finished off last season with a win in a Listed race at Chester in August.
Adrian Nicholls’s Tees Spirit won a small race at the Craven meeting and is another looking to make that step up in class.
Vadream won this last year for trainer Charlie Fellowes. He was third in a Listed race at Bath last month and is sure to put up a fight to retain his trophy.
But I will go for Clive Cox’s Kerdos, who won a Listed race at Bath in September and then ran a fine race to finish 8th in the Prix d’Abbeye. His run at Bath last month was on unsuitably heavy ground, but he can show improvement here.
Moving north to Thirsk and the 2.40 is the Vickers Bet Thirsk Hunt Cup Handicap. This is a 1 mile Class 2 contest.
Top weight is last year’s winner Michael Dods’s Northern Expess. He finished last season with a fine second at York in October. He ran fifth on his seasonal reappearance here at Newmarket last month. He is sure to go well.
Tony Coyle and Kaine Wood’s Thunder Roar was third last week at Leicester. This looks tougher.
Gemma Tutty’s Look Back Smiling was fourth in that race, one length behind Thunder Roar. However, he dwelt at the start and then had to wait for room. I expect him to run a better race here.
Jack Channon’s Hiromichi steps up in class after a successful start to the season winning two of his three races. He may hit the frame, but it’s Look Back Smiling for me.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
1.45 Newmarket. Apollo One
2.20 Newmarket. Torito
2.55 Newmarket. Kerdos
2.40 Thirsk. Look Back Smiling
Bet this lucky 15 now on Bet365
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