Find all previous Seymour Biz racing previews in his weekly column: Saturday Horse Racing Tips.
We have three fine, if not exceptional, meetings to look forward to this Saturday on ITV from Goodwood, Beverley and HQ Newmarket. The Goodwood coverage shows four races, three of which are Group races and a couple of those have a really poor turnout. There is one race being televised from Newmarket which is a 6 furlong Listed race where some of the contestants from last week’s Constantine Handicap at York renew rivalry.
The annual return by the ITV to Beverley for their Beverley Bullet meeting takes place and they are showing two decent handicaps besides the 5-furlong ‘Bullet’, a race I’m looking forward to and I’ve reviewed it below.
Here are my thoughts for the best value from this week’s races and a Saturday Lucky Fifteen.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
2.25 Goodwood. I’m A Gambler
3.15 Newmarket. Great Ambassador
1.30 Beverley. It Just Takes Time
2.40 Beverley. Existent
Bet this lucky 15 now on Bet365
The 2.25 at Goodwood is the William Hill Handicap run over 7 furlongs where John Butler’s Sir Dancealot is the current top weight. He is a two-time winner at Goodwood in Group company on both occasions. However, he hasn’t won for three years and his last run here in July was particularly disappointing.
David O’Meara’s Orbaan is the current favourite. He didn’t have a clear run at York a fortnight ago and finished fourth in a mile contest after two wins at Ascot and here at Goodwood but he has risen in the weights since those victories.
O’Meara’s other runner is Rhoscolyn who has shown some improvement against his stablemate and may be primed for a place.
Bottom weight Lyndon B trained by John Flint won here in July but steps up in class. However, he is another who may hit the frame.
Clive Cox’s horses should not be ignored at this distance and Ascot Adventure who was a disappointing favourite here in June, ran well at Doncaster last month when carrying lots of weight.
My preference is for Charlie and Mark Johnston’s I’m A Gambler who won here at the end of July following on from two victories earlier in the season, he is capable of going in again.
At Newmarket, there is just one race being televised- the JenningsBet Hopeful Stakes at 3.15, a 6-furlong sprint. Last week’s York winner Summerghand turns up in this Listed contest for David O’Meara where he again meets Archie Watson’s Tabdeed but this time off level weights. I think Watson’s charge can turn around 5 lengths and run into a place.
Richard Hannon’s Pure Dreamer is having a great season winning on four occasions, including here at Newmarket, but this step up to Listed company may be a little too much to ask.
Similarly, John Ryan’s Manaccan is a handicapper looking to step up after a win in an Ascot 5f sprint.
Simon and Ed Crisford’s Daneh is having her first run of the season and is looking to capitalise on her sex and age allowance but I think she is best watched.
Great Ambassador from Ed Walker’s yard has been disappointing in his three runs this year but he was bumped in the Steward’s Cup and finished well in the circumstances. He wouldn’t need to show much improvement to take this provided he has some give in the ground.
The first race on the Beverley card is the Joe Rowntree Memorial Handicap, a Class 4 race over seven and a half furlongs. The top weight here is Mick Channon’s Majestic who won at Pontefract earlier this month and may have too much weight here.
Michael Appleby’s Hathlool won at Leicester in July but has run poorly since.
Outrun The Storm has been running consistently well for trainer Richard Fahey finishing first or second in 7 of his 9 races this season, he is sure to go close here.
Michael Dods’ Proud Archi is a Beverley specialist winning no fewer than five times at the track but he has been beaten on his last two starts here. Added to that, his last two wins have come in Class 5 races and as an 8-year-old is past his best.
I like Mark Walford’s It Just Takes Time who won at York in July, then was a beaten favourite after an awkward start at Doncaster. He can make amends for that defeat.
The big betting race of the day is at 2.40 the William Hill Beverley Bullet Sprint Stakes. This Listed contest is run over the course’s stiff 5 furlongs, blink and you’ll miss it. Last year’s winner returns to defend his crown, Clive Cox’s Tis Marvellous who has been kept for this race since running poorly at Royal Ascot is getting on a bit now (aged 8). I pass him over this year.
Robert Cowell’s Arecibo seems to have lost his way this season and has been unsuccessful in five attempts, finding the frame only once in his five runs.
Michael Appleby’s King Of Stars has been running well recently and his last effort in a York handicap was a creditable performance to finish second but he steps up to Listed company in this race.
Karl Burke’s Korker is fancied in some places but he is a notoriously slow starter and several winners have won from pillar to post in recent years.
I like the look of Stuart Williams’s Existent who has a very favourable draw in Stall 2. He is temperamental in the gate but if he blasts out, he can put these to the sword. He won twice on the all-weather earlier in the year, has put in good performances in Group3 contests at both Sandown and Newmarket and is the selection for the ‘Bullet’.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
2.25 Goodwood. I’m A Gambler
3.15 Newmarket. Great Ambassador
1.30 Beverley. It Just Takes Time
2.40 Beverley. Existent
Bet this lucky 15 now on Bet365
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