WE'VE been spoiled with some top-class racing over the last couple of weeks.
And this weekend's offering is no exception, with stunning action around the country.
OFFER OF THE DAY
£20 Risk Free Bet with Paddy Power CLAIM HERE
18+ T&Cs apply Begambleaware.org
T&Cs: New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using Cards or Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
We'll start with a little tickle in the big race of the day at Haydock, the Betfair Sprint Cup.
THE TIN MAN (3.25 Haydock) has a ridiculously good record in this, with form figures of 2312 over the last four years.
The ground has been either 'Soft' or 'Heavy' on each of those occasions, and the ground looks set to come right for him once again.
Though beaten in Group 3 company last time, it wasn't a bad run at all behind Tabdeed.
He travelled nicely into contention and didn't have time to respond to the winner's fast and late finish, losing out by just half a length.
In some places he is more than double the price, and we know he raises his game at Haydock on easy going at this time of the year.
He's not getting any younger but James Fanshawe has reported the horse to be in fine fettle and it's not exactly a state secret that this has been a long-term target.
FUTURE INVESTMENT (2.50 Haydock) is a good bet in the Old Borough Cup.
Ralph Beckett's four-year-old has progressed steadily this season, finishing a good second in a strong handicap at Newbury before placing in a similarly hot contest at Newmarket, both over 1m4f.
But he relished the step up in trip when a ready winner over 2m at Chester, showing a potent combination of stamina and speed when quickening up from the tail of the field to win going away.
At a galloping track like this, 1m6f will probably prove his optimum trip and he appreciates a bit of give underfoot.
He's up 6lb but remains unexposed as a stayer so it'll be disappointing if there isn't a good deal more to come, while Ralph Beckett's horses have been on fire when getting on the box up the M6 to Haydock this season (8 from 21 at time of writing).
Saturday selections and latest odds
2.50 Haydock– Future Investment 1pt win @ 8-1
3.05 Ascot – Shandoz 2pts win @ 9-2
3.25 Haydock – The Tin Man 0.5pts each-way @ 25-1
- August P&L: +1pt
This'll no doubt come back to bite me, considering I've followed Kipps off a cliff this season.
But I think he may find Roger Varian's SHANDOZ (3.05 Ascot) too hot to handle in the big Lavazza Handicap at Ascot.
The son of Golden Horn overcame a steady pace and poor track position to beat Grand Bazaar in last-gasp fashion over C&D last time out.
That was his first start in almost 11 months and he looked to be carrying a bit of condition that day, so he will no doubt strip fitter for the outing.
He is 1lb worse off with the re-opposing Grand Bazaar here, but that rival enjoyed a perfect trip throughout and I've no doubt Shandoz was worth more than the winning margin of a short-head.
This is just his second start over a mile and a half and he is bred to stay all day, being by a Derby and Arc winner and from the family of Japan and Secret Gesture, so there remains plenty of untapped potential.
If he doesn't prove to be miles better than his current mark of 89 I'll pickle my walnuts.
SEE ALL FREE BETS HERE
Source: Read Full Article