Find all previous Seymour Biz racing previews in his weekly column: Saturday Horse Racing Tips.
It’s the weekend before Royal Ascot, so don’t expect the classiest horses in training to be competing this Saturday, but what it does mean is that the cards have plenty of handicaps. So, there may be some value to be found.
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ITV Racing’s cameras are at three meetings this week, with eight races being televised. The main meeting is at York, where four of this week’s televised contests come from. They consist of three handicaps and a Listed race.
The action then moves to Sandown with three races, two handicaps and another Listed race. Somewhere in between, ITV has slotted in a further handicap from Chester, so plenty of competitive racing to look forward to. Here are my thoughts and this week’s Lucky Fifteen.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
2.10 Chester. Comic Hero
2.25 York. Bobby Bennu
3.35 York. Fortification
3.17 Sandown. Beagle Bay
Bet this lucky 15 on Bet365
Beginning with the 2.10 at Chester, the Ladbrokes Bet Builder Handicap, this is a Class 2 Handicap run over 7 1/2 furlongs. William Haggas’s Masked Warrior won at Kempton last month on the all-weather. He is well drawn in Stall 3.
Richard Hughes’s Startled has won twice this season at York and Newmarket. He ran second when upped in class at Goodwood last month. He is having another crack at a Class 2 here, poor draw in Stall 7.
Andrew Balding’s Comic Hero comes here with bottom weight. He ran a fine second in a Class 2 at Newmarket on May Day, and he is well drawn in Stall 2. Everything is in his favour.
Moving to the Knavesmire at York and the 2.25 is the Sky Bet Supporting MacMillan Handicap, this is a Class 3 Handicap run over 7 furlongs. Ian Williams’s Aalto finished 9th in a big Ascot handicap last month. He drops back in class here, and Ryan Moore’s booking is noted.
Tim Easterby’s Brighton Boy won at Thirsk last month, then ran second in a Class 2 at Chester. He can be placed once again.
William Haggas’s unbeaten Extremely Zain steps up in class after winning at Newbury last month. This is much tougher.
I prefer Roger Varian’s Bobby Bennu, who ran 4th from a terrible draw at Chester two weeks ago. He drops down in class looking for a victory.
The Churchill Tyres Sprint is at 3.35. This is a top-rated Class 2 Handicap run over 6 furlongs. The Quinns run Cape Ashizuri, who won a Class 3 at Pontefract in April. He is upped in class here and has plenty of weight.
Charlie Appleby’s Man Of Vision was the favourite when he ran second at Newmarket in early May. He can possibly hit the frame once again.
Tim Easterby’s Red Spells Danger has won two Class 4s in May, but this is much tougher.
William Haggas’s Thunder Call won a Class 4 on the all-weather at Kempton last month. His step up in class is expected, but even with his low weight, he may struggle against these seasoned performers.
I like Brian Ellison’s Fortification, who won a Class 3 here at York last month. He stepped up in class again here last time and finished 4th, beaten by just a length. He has been crying out to be upped in trip, and this looks like an ideal opportunity.
For the final leg of this week’s Lucky Fifteen, I will move to Sandown, and the 3.17 is the Read Meg Nicholls Blog at betmgm. co.uk Handicap, this is a Class 2 contest over 1 mile. Roger Varian’s Raammee won both his starts last season on all-weather courses. His seasonal reappearance was here at Sandown last month, and he ran 4th in a Class 3. This is tougher, but it could be horses for courses.
William Haggas’s High Degree was a well-beaten second at Newbury last month in a Class 3. He is another who steps up in class here.
I take a chance with Ralph Beckett’s Beagle Bay, who is making a massive step up in class after winning twice this season in Class 4s, latterly at Yarmouth last month. He is also moving up in trip, but he looks to be well handicapped here, and he knows how to win.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
2.10 Chester. Comic Hero
2.25 York. Bobby Bennu
3.35 York. Fortification
3.17 Sandown. Beagle Bay
Bet this lucky 15 on Bet365
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