Find all previous Seymour Biz racing previews in his weekly column: Saturday Horse Racing Tips.
Trainers and owners now seem to love the Shergar Cup due in no small part to the prize money on offer. Every horse that runs receives a remuneration even if they trail in last.
So it’s fairly obvious that I hate the format and consider if you intend to have a bet you may as well put twelve tombola balls in a hat and draw one out and back that number. In fact, I know of people who use such a method for their parties at Ascot, but it’s not for me.
There are two other meetings where real racing is being held, Haydock and Newmarket. The Merseyside track features two races and there is a Group race being shown from HQ but even though there are cracking handicaps on the card they are being ignored.
So this week I will ignore Ascot and pick races from the other two courses, including some that are not being televised in the hope that ITV find time to give us punters the results while they are having their love-in at the Berkshire track.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
2.25 Haydock. Fantastic Fox
4.10 Haydock. Breege
3.05 Newmarket. Tajanis
4.15 Newmarket. Gweedore
Bet this lucky 15 now on Bet365
I will begin with a televised race, the 2.25 at Haydock the Betfred “Play Fred’s £5 Million” Handicap a Class 3 contest run over a mile. Ed Walker’s Hafeet Alain was just beaten a neck last month at Newmarket after winning there in June, but he has risen in the weights.
George Scott’s Isle Of Jura was also a Newmarket winner last month but he steps up in class.
Poet Master has won both his contests to date for trainer Karl Burke, including one here at Haydock. He steps up in class and distance.
Andrew Balding’s Sudden Ambush has won three times this season, including last time out at Windsor, he can go close.
Freedom Day won a small race at Redcar for trainer Mark Walford back in April, perhaps he has been waiting for soft going.
I like Roger Varian’s Fantastic Fox who is a course and distance winner and this season he has been playing his trade in better races than this, he can regain winning ways.
At 4.10 it is the British Stallion Studs EBF Dick Hern Stakes. Another one-mile race but this time a Listed race.
Richard Hannon’s Heredia was disappointing last month on the all-weather at Cheltenham after rearing in the stalls then dwelling at the start. She ran a couple of fine seconds earlier in the season and a repetition of that form will see her go close.
William Haggas’s Orchid Bloom won a Fillies Handicap at Newbury last month and the trainer must think something of her as she steps up to Listed company but this seems a big ask.
David Loughnane’s Sparks Fly was untraced as a 2-year-old but this season she won her first six races but was very disappointing on her first run in Listed company last month at York.
John and Thady Gosden’s Bridestones ran a good third at Sandown in July and can go close here. But I just prefer John Quinn’s Breege who ran a fine second in a Grade 3 at Goodwood last week. He can gain recompense for that defeat here.
Moving south to Newmarket and the 3.05 is the Molson Coors Handicap, a 1m 4f contest. Top weight here is David O’Meara’s Sea Grey who has not won since his 2-year-old days. In his latest run at York a fortnight ago he was a poor third.
William Stone’s Dashing Panther has finished second on his last two outings, a place is the best he can hope for here.
Charlie Johnson’s Edge Of Darkness has won his last two both at Thirsk but he has risen in the handicap and may be denied his hat-trick.
On The Right Track won a very poor contest at Bath in June for trainer Mark Usher and would have to do a lot more to feature here.
Julie Camacho runs Ready To Shine who was second at Haydock last time after winning earlier in the season, she can go close.
But William Haggas’s Tajanis looks a better option after running second at Doncaster last month to a top-rated novice. That race was a Class 2 and this drop in class should be noted.
The Molson Coors Brewery Handicap a Class 2 contest run over 7 furlongs is at 4.15. Top weight here is Karl Burke’s Lethal Levi who has not really found last season’s form this time around. He was joint favourite last time at York and came home fifth the handicapper seems to have his measure.
Roger Varian’s Sir Winston has been very consistent this season but that was in lower grade contests. This is a big step up.
The lightly raced Parlando trained by Ian Williams must have had his problems but if Williams has him fit he can be placed at a nice price.
David Loughnane’s Amber Island won a small contest at Leicester in June but when he’s stepped up to this class of race he has failed.
Katie Scott’s Gweedore looks the answer here after a fine dead-heat at Doncaster last month following on from a fine third at York the week before, he can continue on the upgrade.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
2.25 Haydock. Fantastic Fox
4.10 Haydock. Breege
3.05 Newmarket. Tajanis
4.15 Newmarket. Gweedore
Bet this lucky 15 now on Bet365
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