Newbury & Ayr - Saturday 19th September

I will be at Newbury today for some decent flat action but the main show is obviously at Ayr with the Silver and Gold Cups on show. 

Ayr 13:20, Ladbrokes 'Bet 5 Get 30 New Customer Offer' Handicap

Theoryofeverything 7/1, 1pt win
Thunder Roar 7/1, 1pt win

A good race to get us under way here and it may be that with conditions to suit that last year's 1 and 2 are to the fore again. Both Theoryofeverything and Thunder Roar are back in their lane here and must hold strong chances. 

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Ayr 13:55, Ladbrokes 'Get Racing Bet Builder Winnings Boosts' Doonside Cup Stakes

Sea Scout 7/1, 1.5pts each-way (3 places with Coral)

A fair renewal of the Doonside Cup but without a clear standout it may be worth siding with the Crisford's Sea Scout. Last year's Epsom Derby Trial winner hasn't been a winning machine since but did run some crackers on soft ground in a couple of French Listed races this time last year and his 2nd to a good horse on seasonal debut last month is good form. He ran OK in an above average renewal of a Listed race at Windsor last time and this drop in trip should suit. 

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Ayr 14:30, Ladbrokes Ayr Silver Cup Handicap

Desert Falcon 5/1, 2pts each-way (6 places)

Julie Camacho's Desert Falcon was 2nd in the Gold Cup last year and now heads the weights for the Silver Cup 12 months on. It hasn't been plain sailing since then but he showed at Doncaster last week that he's on the way back to form and now has his sights set on the big prize here. He's seemingly well drawn in stall 2 and should have a great chance of going better than last year. 

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Ayr 15:40, Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup

Binhareer 4/1, 2pts each-way (6 places)

In a red hot renewal of an Ayr Gold Cup many people won't like the idea of a Haggas plot job but it does seem as though this has been a long term plan for the 4 year old Binhareer. The grey looks a better horse than when 6th in the Silver Cup last year and returned to soft ground, it could be that he finally achieves his potential. 

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Newbury 13:37, Dubai Duty Free Autumn Cup Handicap

Insanity 7/1, 1pt each-way (3 places)

An interesting Autumn Cup but Alan King's Insanity has been lightly raced of late and could be ready to peak. 

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Newbury 14:47, Dubai Duty Free Handicap

Stem 15/2, 1pt each-way (3 places)

Richard Hannon's Stem has shown good form at Newbury in the past and seems to be in career best form winning at Sandown in the summer and then running a cracker there last time out behind a handicap blot.

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Newbury 15:55, Conundrum Consulting Handicap

Witch Hunter 16/1, 1pt each-way (4 places)
Betty Clover 22/1, 1pt each-way (4 places)

An open race so probably worth chancing a couple at big prices who are well weighted if returning to form. 

Doncaster - Saturday 12th September

14:20, Portland

Getreadytorumble 8/1, 1pt each-way (5 places)

A really good renewal of the Portland this with plenty holding chances but preference is for Jack Channon's previous course winner, Getreadytorumble. A highly progressive 3 year old last year, he's struggled to find his feet in stronger company so far this season but put in a great run at Ascot last time out and has been kept fresh for this. High drawn horses usually do well here so there's nothing to worry about the draw in stall 20. 

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15:35, St Leger

Pierre Bonard 4/1, 1pt each-way (3 places)

An interesting 250th St Leger. Lambourn couldn't land the Derby-Leger double last year but the suspicion is that Christmas Day is better equipped for the Doncaster test. There's not a lot between the front 3 here and Eceladus is respected but perhaps this could be the day for Pierre Bonard to finally shine. The winter's Derby favourite hasn't managed to get his head in front this year but was closing down Christmas Day on the line in the Irish Derby and ran a cracking trial at York the last day. He's perhaps going to enjoy this step up in trip the most and no other horse looks set to enjoy Doncaster's lengthy straight more. 

Haydock, Kempton & Ascot - Saturday 5th September

After my maiden voyage to Bangor on Friday it's a trip to wet old Haydock today for Group 1 action. Having only ever seen jump racing at the track, it's exciting to see top level racing on the level and tick another Group 1 off the list. There's a decent undercard too and some excellent action in and around London too. 

Haydock 14:30, Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap

Asia Force 8/1, 1pt each-way (3 places)

It is going to take some getting the 14 furlongs at Haydock today. Galilean Quality no doubt deserves to be favourite after his Melrose 2nd but he's short enough in the market now and his mark is shooting up. Mythical Bay disappointed in the same race but has every chance of bouncing back. Preference though is for Karl Burke's Asia Force. The son of Frankel finally got his head in front at Carlisle last time out and may not start to build on his promise. That was the gelding's first run at the trip and the big galloping sort has plenty of chance to progress now and there's every reason to think he will go on the ground. 

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Haydock 15:05, Betfair Exchange Old Borough Cup Handicap

Stressfree 8/1, 1pt each-way (3 places)

A hard race to weigh up here as Agean Prince could be miles ahead of his mark. This will be a thorough test of his fitness though and he may prove vulnerable. David O'Meara's evergreen 6 year old Stressfree makes appeal. The son of Anodin will go on the surface and has run well in this event in the past. This will turn attritional and it could be that the older horse will keep going best. 

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15:40, Betfair Sprint Cup Stakes

Kind Of Blue 10/3, 3pts win

A smaller field than usual for the Sprint Cup and it will be a hard one on this surface. Almeraq deserves to be favourite here for the Haggas team and holds every chance but preference is for previous runner-up Kind Of Blue. James Fanshawe knows what it takes to win this race but has been unlucky with the son of Blue Point in the last 2 runnings of this, finishing 2nd both times. The ground will hold no fears for the 5 year old and he arrives here fresher than most. He's a previous Group 1 winner on Champion's Day and could finally have his day in the sun at Haydock. 

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Ascot 14:10, tote.co.uk Money Back 2nd Handicap

Ancestor 13/2, 1pt each-way (3 places)

Hayzoom ran a stormer at the Royal Meeting and is fancied to go close here but he's been off since and will have his fitness tested here. He's short enough in the market so may be worth taking on with William Haggas's Ancestor. Cieren Fallon's mount built on his debut promise to run out a ready winner at Yarmouth before defying a penalty at Haydock last time out. Those were small fields and it's fair to say we still haven't seen the best of the Sea The Stars gelding. 

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Kempton 14:20, William Hill London Mile Series Final Handicap

The Liffey 11/1, 1pt each-way (4 places)

A hard punting affair as expected for this big handicap. The Liffey is fancied to run well here for Hayley Burton. The 5 year old has found a new lease of life this year after a troubled career for Joseph O'Brien, who in turn took him on from his father. The No Nay Never gelding won on his UK debut over course and distance at the start of July before backing that up by finishing 2nd in a big field handicap at Glorious Goodwood. He's been kept fresh since and has the services of Rossa Ryan for the first time. He's been berthed in stall 1 so will be saving ground all the way round and there's a suspicion he could still be ahead of his mark. 

Goodwood - Sunday 30th August

I will not be making the trip down to Goodwood today but despite the rain and many non-runners, it's still an interesting card with a few good betting heats. 

14:00, Virgin Bet Handicap

Principality 5/1, 1pt each-way (3 places)

A wide open affair, as the betting shows. Harry Eustace's Principality must have a big chance here in search of his 3rd win this summer. The 4 year old is already a winner over this track on heavy ground so the recent rain will be no bother at all to him. He's in good form after a win at Newmarket last time out and a mark of 91 is still fair. 

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16:20, City of Chichester Handicap

Personal Best 5/1, 1pt each-way (3 places)

Another open affair and plenty here have strong form on a softer surface. There doesn't appear to be much between them but slight preference is for Personal Best. The 4 year old filly is off a career high mark but she's earned that for her consistency and has been running well this season perhaps in races that haven't quite suited. She's a dual winner on very soft ground and stays well. The Portman stable is in good form and the daughter of Time Test is expected to go well again. 

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16:55, Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap

Due To Henry 12/1, 1pt each-way (3 places)

A decent little handicap to end the day and it could be that Eve Johnson-Houghton's Due To Henry is a bit overpriced here. The 5 year old gelding hasn't won for 2 years but he's steadily been working his way back to form and the soft surface will be a real help to him here. The son of Due Diligence is now 7 pounds below his last winning mark and the run last time was a big improvement. 

Sandown - Saturday 29th August

I will be at soggy Sandown today. It's a shame about the weather as it's a great card with two very interesting group races to unpick. 

13:40, Tattersalls 40,000 EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes

Tall Trees 9/4, 2pts win

A pretty decent maiden to start the card. Unraced Flower Show will be interesting for Godolphin but Tall Trees drops in grade dramatically and should be taking all the beating in this. 

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14:15, Zyn Frontrunner Finish Handicap

Cash 40/1, 1pt each-way (4 places)
Flying Frontier 40/1, 1pt each-way (4 places)

It's a tricky handicap to digest this with Kokbastau looking a group horse in the making at Kempton and is probably still a fair price. Still, conditions are an unknown and he's been hiked up a stone in the weights. While he rates the most likely winner, it may be a race to take a chance on a couple of outsiders. The rain has come for Cash and the admirable 7 year old has a decent record at this track all in all. He's off a decent mark and could pick these off late. Flying Frontier won this race 2 years ago and although he's been out of form this season, he's bounced back before and is a big price. 

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14:50, BetMGM Atalanta Stakes

Calendar Girl 3/1, 2pts win

The race of the day sees a classy bunch of fillies clash over the mile here. Moon Target must have a chance now dropping in grade after finishing 3rd at the top level in France last time out. She's a tricky ride though and perhaps could be picked off by an unexposed type. Secret of Life will prove popular as she's proven with ease in the ground but preference is for Owen Burrow's filly Calendar Girl. The daughter of Advertise ran a stormer on seasonal debut to win at Haydock last time out and should handle the ground. She's exciting. 

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15:30, BetMGM Solario Stakes

Breacher 3/1, 1pt win

A hard race to weigh up as the front 2 in the market could be anything. Godolphin's Rock Montreal could be another classy animal through the Roger Varian gates but the vibes have been strong about Breacher and the son of Cracksman is chanced to take this on his way to better things. 

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16:05, Download The BetMGM App Handicap

Storm Free 10/1, 1pt each-way (3 places)

James Tate's 4 year old Storm Free finally got his act together last time out and it could be that he starts to build on the promise he showed last year. It's a tricky race but he looks the value here. 

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16:35, BetMGM Real Deal Nursery

Sonny Parvenue 4/1, 1pt win

An open nursery but Richard Hannon's Sonny Parvenue looked good when winning at Salisbury on debut and was thought good enough to tackle the Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot last month. He can bounce back here.

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17:10, Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap

Betsen 15/2, 1pt each-way (3 places)

Tony Carroll's top weight Betsen ran ok from a poor draw in the Dash at Epsom last time and this is easier. He had previously won at Chepstow and will handle any ease here. 

York - Saturday 22nd August

13:50, Sky Bet Strensall Stakes

Hankelow 11/2, 1pt each-way (4 places)

This is a pretty open renewal of Saturday's opener. Damysus has the best form but the ground could be a slight worry and he's been a little regressive of late. Instead preference is for Karl Burke's 3 year old Hankelow. The son of Night Of Thunder ran a cracker to finish 3rd in the French Guineas before flopping in their Derby. He's still full of promise though and after a break he comes here with big chances at the weights against some exposed older horses. 

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14:25, Sky Bet Melrose Handicap

Mythical Bay 6/1, 2pts each-way (5 places)
Sharkeyboy 17/2, 2pts each-way (5 places)

A really strong renewal of the Melrose sees any number of unexposed 3 year olds hold chances. Mythical Bay does look to have been plotted up for this though, having been absent since winning over this trip at Newmarket last month. He's really started to progress of late now he's getting to grips with his racing and still looks ahead of his mark. Conditions are not a worry for the son of New Bay and connections have an excellent record in this race. Willie Mullins has been farming the Ebor of late but he brings a maiden to this race with a big chance. Sharkeyboy finished 2nd in a big field handicap at Galway last time out but the run can be marked up as he raced on the outside for the whole race and was just gunned down in the last strides. He looks well in off a mark of 88 and Saffie Osbourne is a great booking in the saddle. 

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15:00, Sky Bet City Of York Stakes

Zavateri 15/2, 2pts each-way (4 places)

A classy edition of this Group 1 and multiple top level winner Notable Speech will take the world of beating if he runs his race but it's worth remembering he isn't always the most consistent and Rosallion was beaten at short odds in this race. Instead, preference is for the 3 year old Zavateri. The son of Without Parole ran well on seasonal comeback to finish 3rd in the Greenham when he should have gone closer. He didn't run again until the Sussex but put up a massive run to finish 5th and will be fitter for it. Conditions are no concern as the colt won a Group 1 in Ireland on easy ground last year from Gstaad and he's still unexposed. 

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15:35, Sky Bet Ebor Handicap

Daiquiri Bay 10/1, 1pt each-way (6 places)
Klassleader 7/1, 2pts win

Always a classic race this. The Ebor looks as classy a renewal as ever although Willie Mullin's mystery runner has been well supported down to clear favourite. Love Me Tender could be miles well in but he's short enough in the betting now and so preference is for William Haggas's Klassleader. The lightly raced 4 year old looked an Ebor winner in the making when winning at York in the spring and has only been seen the once since. He wasn't at his best the last day but this will have been the plan all along and is still unexposed. Daquiri Bay has been shooting up the handicap this season but justifiably so after wins at Newmarket and Ascot. He's been put away since for this but looks a much better horse than when 3rd in the Melrose last year and the ease in the ground won't be a worry. He could be working his way towards being a group horse. 

York - Friday 21st August

13:50, Sky Bet Mile Handicap

Storming Point 10/1, 1pt each-way (5 places)

A fiendish handicap to start the day and William Haggas's progressive Zennor Storm deserves to be favourite but Garry and Josh Moore's Storming Point wasn't far behind that one at Goodwood last time out and also holds big chances here. The son of Blue Point had good form in novices and on an easy surface. He had no luck the last day and this race promises to pan out better. He looks well handicapped off a mark of 85. 

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15:35, Coolmore City Of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes

Mission Central 17/2, 1pt each-way (4 places)

The presence of American speedball Baccio makes this a hard race to weigh up but on a first go in group company and on an easy surface he can be taken on. Coolmore's No Nay Never gelding, Mission Central was a narrow winner of the King Charles III Stakes and this race always promised to suit better than the July Cup. A line can be put through that run and with Wesley Ward's 3 year old a sure thing to go bombing off in front, Aidan's horse could be well positioned to run him down from the back. 

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16:10, Assured Data Protection Handicap

Master Builder 6/1, 2pts win

David Menusier's 5 year old Master Builder has had a decent career to date already and duly justified strong market support on season debut here 100 days ago. He's been put away again since and he's bound to have been trained to the minute for this second foray to the Knavesmire. The recent rain is a help and Tom Marquand rides. 

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17:20, Sky Bet EBF Fillies' Handicap

Janey Mackers 10/1, 1pt each-way (5 places)
Electricfarhh 12/1, 1pt each-way (5 places)

Plenty of unexposed types to the fore of the market here but perhaps a couple of more experienced fillies could play a part in this. Janey Mackers and Electricfarhh have been holding their form well, the ground has come in favour of the former and the latter is unexposed at the trip.