Category: Horse Racing Tips

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Belmont Saturday Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

This weekend features the Belmont Derby and Belmont Oaks and there is a strong European interest in both races.

The inaugural running of the Grade 1 Belmont Derby has attracted two smart colts in Toast Of New York and Adelaide. Jamie Osborne has had his ups and downs in his fourteen years of training but the highlight must have been Toast Of New York’s victory in the UAE Derby.

Osborne is more used to peddling his wares at Southwell and Wolverhampton than Belmont Park but he goes there with a real chance of glory. If you believe some of the reports coming out of his yard, the horse only has to arrive in one piece to take the prize. Osborne was sorely tempted to run the colt at Epsom but had a change of heart and decided to target the Belmont prize. Jamie Spencer was in the saddle in Dubai and will take the ride again on Saturday.

Of course there are always concerns with such an ambitious target and Aidan O’Brien’s Adelaide will be high on the list. He was second at Royal Ascot and there is no telling just how good Eagle Top may turn out to be. The John Gosden-trained winner showed an electric turn of foot for a middle distance horse and it will be interesting to see him clash with Australia later in the year.

Pornichet was trained in France until being snapped up by Gai Waterhouse and finished third in the French 2000 Guineas. If he stays the extra two furlongs, he will be a big threat. Toast Of New York will be having his first start since March but he looked a top class colt in the making in Dubai and it will be disappointing for all concerned if he cannot take this.

Aidan O’Brien saddles Wonderfully in the Belmont Oaks but she looks a bit out of her depth and preference is for Xcellence. She was third to Avenir Certain in the French 1000 Guineas and French Oaks and can win this for Francois Doumen.

Flying Jib won a Group 3 over 7f at the Curragh and may be the pick of the Irish duo while the home defence is led by dual Grade 1 winner Room Service.

Taste Of New York at 3-1 Skybet

Xcellence at 3-1 Paddy Power, William Hill

Haydock Saturday Preview

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The Lancashire Oaks is the highlight of a typically competitive Haydock card on Saturday. There are some high-class fillies and mares seeking the Group 2 prize including last season’s Oaks winner Talent.

She ran a great race to finish second in the St Leger but is yet to win since Epsom. She was disappointing behind shock winner Seal Of Approval at Ascot in October but should be better for her comeback race behind Cirrus Des Aigles.

There are a number of unknown quantities in this field including the unbeaten Sultanina and Charity Line. The latter comes over from Italy with a big reputation but I prefer to side with the progressive Lustrous. Richard Hannon’s filly foiled my selection, Radiator, when winning narrowly at York over a mile. She was then stepped up to a mile and a half for the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot and held up to get the trip.

Richard Hughes weaved his way through the field up the home straight and beat all bar Bracelet. She looked tough and resolute at York and looks good each-way value in a tough race.

The Old Newton Cup has always been a favourite target for Newmarket trainer Luca Cumani. Once again he saddles the likely favourite here in Havana Cooler, a promising third at the Royal meeting first time out. I was not entirely taken with him last season at Goodwood when he seemed to take an age to quicken up for Kieren Fallon and I am prepared to pass him over in this race.

Havana Cooler is drawn in stall 1 but I would imagine that he would be dropped in behind Salutation. Mark Johnston’s horses are very difficult to predict in these big handicaps and Salutation is no exception. He could just as easily finish last as first.

De Rigeur produced a 25-1 shock in a messy race at Newmarket last time where Mighty Yar was sent off favourite. I would not be at all surprised to see the places reversed as Mighty Yar raced on the far side and I’ve often seen races favour the stands side on the July course. He wasn’t beaten that far in seventh and is well drawn in stall 7.

Dashing Star ran in that race and against Salutation at Ascot but always seems to find a couple too good so we shall side with Mighty Yar for Lady Cecil.

Lustrous 2.55 Haydock at 8-1 Paddy Power

Mighty Yar 3.30 Haydock at 9-1 Skybet

Sandown Saturday Preview

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It is Coral Eclipse day at Sandown on Saturday. I previewed the race earlier in the week and sided with The Fugue in view of doubts surrounding the participation of many of her rivals. It is pouring down with rain up here in Scotland but apparently they are still basking in warm sunshine down south and the going remains good to firm.

Roger Varian is evidently keen to run Derby runner-up Kingston Hill after pulling him out of the farcical Irish Derby at the last moment. You can understand the need to be careful with these top-notch horses but it will be very puzzling if he lets him run on quick ground this weekend. Sceptics are focussing on the fact that The Fugue finished last in the Eclipse a year ago but she arrives in the form of her life this season and it doesn’t worry me.

The best bet on the card may be Queen Catrine in the Coral Distaff at 3.15. I had not realised what a fine race she ran in the Sandringham Handicap until I watched a re-run. Jamie Spencer had her plum last of 24 runners and she managed to overhaul everything bar the winner Muteela. I have been following Radiator with interest and she ran a fair race when eighth in the Coronation but she strikes me as a bit keen in her races and this small field may cause James Doyle problems.

I have never done particularly well in the Coral Challenge Handicap but I’m tempted to have a small each-way investment on Burano here for Brian Meehan. He was running well in Dubai through the winter and early spring and has had no luck at all since returning to these shores. The most significant snippet is that he is almost a stone better off with Gabrial’s Kaka for under five lengths on their Newbury Spring Cup form.

The Coral Charge could go the way of Stepper Point who just gets the vote ahead of Extortionist. This track suits front runners in sprints and Stepper Point had everything in trouble at Royal Ascot after three furlongs. I am concerned that he has had a series of hard races but these sprinters are as tough as old boots.

Finally, I’m taking a chance on course winner Reedcutter bouncing back to form in the opener. He pulled too hard and then ran into a pocket last time so did well to get within six lengths. This shorter trip should be in his favour and Richard Hughes is doing the steering.

Reedcutter 1.30 Sandown

Stepper Point 2.05 Sandown at 11-2 BetVictor

Burano 2.40 Sandown at 14-1 BetVictor

Queen Catrine 3.15 Sandown at 2-1 Skybet

The Fugue 3.50 Sandown at 9-4 William Hill

Coral Eclipse Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The Irish Derby was void as a contest when Roger Varian pulled out Epsom runner-up Kingston Hill and the colt could be re-routed to the Coral Eclipse on Saturday. Commentators did their best to convince us that Australia was the best thing since sliced bread but he beat a couple of stable hacks in a virtual exercise gallop. I know that the horse could only beat what was lined up against him but it is ridiculous to keep hyping him up.

The Derby form proved disastrous last year and hopefully this year’s will prove stronger. At the time of writing, the sun is blazing down and there must be a real possibility of fast ground again at Sandown. Sir Michael Stoute has already suggested that Hillstar may miss the race for that very reason and I would not be surprised to see Kingston Hill do likewise.

One horse that won’t mind it fast is John Gosden’s admirable mare The Fugue. She will be racing over her best trip on ground that she loves (barring a change in the weather) and she was at her best when bolting up at Royal Ascot in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes.

The form of that race is open to question with Treve disappointing but The Fugue reversed Breeders’ Cup form with Magician and could be called the winner with two furlongs to travel. She is on offer at around 15-8 but could be closer to evens if more rivals drop by the wayside during the week. Last season she won the Yorkshire Oaks and the Irish Champion Stakes and can add another Group 1 to John Gosden’s collection.

It is always interesting to see how the three-year-old’s get on in this race and War Command is a possible runner for Aidan O’Brien. He ran on steadily without ever looking dangerous in the St James’s Palace Stakes and has a bit of ground to make up on runner-up Night Of Thunder. The extra two furlongs should favour him more than the Hannon horse but he does seem to have lost the sparkle of his Coventry Stakes win.

O’Brien also saddles American import Verrazano who was second to Toronado in the Queen Anne. He ought to get the trip having won over nine furlongs in the States but I didn’t think it was a particularly strong race at Ascot and I’m not sure he has a real turn of foot.

The Fugue at 9-4 BetVictor, Coral

Newcastle Saturday Preview

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The withdrawal of Pique Sous from the Northumberland Plate has at least given us a bit of value with our 10-1 about Angel Gabrial. He now looks set to start at about half those odds but it’s a very tough race and we can only hope that he gets luck in running.

George Chaloner has the task of delivering him as late as possible. I have mixed feelings about the number 1 stall as it is better than being stuck out wide. My only concern is that he gets shuffled back early on.

Oriental Fox was desperately unlucky not to win this last year when collared on the line by Tominator. I like horses returning for a race that they have run well in previously but the weight puts me off despite his sixth in the Gold Cup. Suegioo and Nearly Caught are other interesting runners but I’m not keen to get involved further in such a tricky race.

The best bet on the card is You’re Fired for Karl Burke in the closing handicap. He ran on strongly over six furlongs at Doncaster in March and then won over seven furlongs at Haydock. He got himself trapped on the rail behind horses that day but managed to come around the field and get up close home. He is up 6lbs but has an extra furlong to travel and has scope for further improvement.

The William Haggas stable remains in fantastic form and he has two exciting prospects tomorrow. Muthmir has his first start as a four-year-old in the sprint handicap and the vibes are encouraging. He showed plenty of dash last season before disappointing on his final start but he could be better than his rating of 87. His rivals are mostly exposed so it is worth taking a chance on his potential.

Saayerr was a speedy juvenile and he can take the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes to complete the Haggas double. His fourth place in the Free Handicap over seven furlongs reads well with the winner having run well in both the English and Irish 2000 Guineas. Saayerr has always looked more of a sprinter so the drop back to six should see him return to winning ways.

Muthmir 2.05 at 7-2 Bet365

Saayerr 2.40 at 3-1 Bet365, BetVictor

Angel Gabrial 3.50 at 10-1* ante-post

You’re Fired 5.00 at 9-4 BetVictor, Paddy Power

Newmarket Saturday Preview

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Things have been very quiet on the racing front this week following Royal Ascot but the Irish Derby and some excellent action from Newcastle and Newmarket should bring some entertainment. Punters could do with a break from all of the amateur dramatics from the World Cup!

Ryan Moore and William Buick dominated proceedings at Royal Ascot and it would be no surprise to see them both among the winners on Saturday. Moore has a full book of rides and is employed by seven different trainers while Buick is kept busy by the powerful Gosden and Appleby yards.

There are some speedy fillies in the Listed two-year-old race at 2.20 with Moore riding Tigrilla for Roger Varian. The favourite will be Littlemissblakeney who was fifth in the Queen Mary but Zeb Un Misa and Accipiter also look smart. Moore’s mount is just preferred after travelling nicely last time out at Haydock.

Unless the rains arrive, I think Battalion will be taken out of the Fred Archer Stakes which would leave the way clear for Gatewood and Buick. The six-year-old has done well to get back on track after his abortive attempt at the Melbourne Cup and could have the class to defy his 3lbs penalty.

Richard Fahey has finally resorted to blinkers for Gatewood in the Group 3 Criterion Stakes and it remains to be seen if that makes life any easier for his jockey. Moore managed to get him home at Goodwood last season and this should be the right trip. Gregorian probably needed his run at Epsom last time and could be yet another for Gosden.

Manderley looks difficult to oppose in the Listed Eternal Stakes having followed up her fourth in the 1000 Guineas with an effortless win in maiden company. Gosden and Buick have another fine chance with Seagull in the 4.40. She won over a mile and a quarter and was always going to find it tough dropping back to a mile last time. She did well to finish second and should relish going up to a mile and a half on Saturday.

Llanarmon Lad struggled with the camber at Epsom last time but finished strongly to be second to Abseil. Kieren Fallon did the pushing that day and Ryan Moore takes over in the 5.15 here. Most of the opposition have been running below par recently and Llanarmon Lad can go one better.

Tigrilla 2.20  at 100-30 BetVictor

Gatewood 2.55 at 4-1 BetVictor, Paddy Power

Gregorian 3.30 at 11-2 William Hill

Manderley 4.05 at 11-4 BetVictor

Seagull 4.40 at 15-8 Bet365

Llanarmon Lad 5.15 at 7-2 BetVictor, Coral