What a great weekends racing ahead of us. Redcar, Newmarket, Epsom and Longchamps all have cracking cards.
I’ve been up all night polishing my punting boots and I’m now putting them on ready for a mammoth two day punting-fest.
Having gone through the race cards yesterday afternoon/evening it seems there are quite a few horses I want to back.
I’ll share them with you and as always do what you please with them….back them, lay them or ignore them.
2.35 Epsom: DYLANESQUE - well regarded 2yo who ran very green on his debut. Got off the mark next time out at Yarmouth and may have more to offer from his current mark of 78 in this tight looking nursery. 2pts win
3.15 Redcar: ANGELS PURSUIT - he was second in a Group 2 last time out behind, none other than, Awzaan with Radiohead back in 4th. That form took a significant boost yesterday with the Group 1 exploits of those two runners and in my book Angels Pursuit should be an odds on shot. I’ll be steaming in at 15/8 or better… 6pts win
3.55 Redcar: TOMBI - ran a good race from the ‘wrong side’ in the Ayr Gold Cup and the step back up to 7f can end a long losing streak. 1pt win
5.05 Redcar: SANDS CROONER - on my list of horses to follow with exactly the conditions I was waiting for. A maximum each way bet for me today on this one. 3pts ew
3.00 Newmarket: GHANAATI - backing fillies at this time of year is asking for trouble but the 1000 Guineas winner is lightly raced and should have the class to take this race. 2pt win
3.40 Newmarket: CHARM SCHOOL - I’ve got an ante-post bet on Sirvino for this race but with 36 runners you can never be too sure of your chances! So I’ll be having another runner in the race just in case. Charm School ran well in the big trial for the Cambridgeshire and he comes from the right stable. Small bets for a big field though.. 1pt ew
4.50 Newmarket: SPANISH BOUNTY - I’ve backed him quite a few times this season and done my money but I like the booking of Mr Fallon today. Hopefully the master can get my dough back 0.5pts ew
If I’ve got any money left I’ll be going across the channel for my Sunday betting. I’ve got my son’s 6th birthday party to take care of then (2 hours, 30 screaming kids and no racing channel! Arrrrghh!) so I’ll give you my bets now…
Abbaye: WAR ARTIST - I’ve mentioned him a few times in recent weeks so I guess I better stick with him. Small stakes though as I have the utmost respect for Borderlescott and Fleeting Spirit. 1pt win
L’Opera: MIDDAY - there can only be one horse for me to back in this race and Henry Cecil’s filly is the one. Again it’s not a great idea to be backing in fillies races at the end of the season but I really fancy this ones chances. 2pts win
The Arc: SEA THE STARS - the best racehorse for years looking to cement his place in history. The ground, draw and trip are all in his favour with only Mick Kinane riding in a 19 runner race standing between him and immortality. 4pts win
Cadran: ASKAR TAU - Yeats is set to retire after this race and it’s time to look for a new staying king. All hail Askar Tau who just keeps on improving. Small stakes but hopefully a big cheer. 1pt win
For the £100 to a grand challenge I’ll be having £2 for every point on the selections. For my own bets I’ll be having slightly more and if things go badly this weekend I’m going to have to sell an awful lot of calendars to make it up.
Good luck,
Gavin.