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Sam King kept the ball rolling with a 7/4 winner at Chester yesterday evening and he’s back with a trio of tips for this superb Saturday’s action.
Racing starts early this weekend, and we head to the northeast at 12.55 for our first selection.
The Group 3 JenningsBet Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle this afternoon can go the way of Brad The Brief.
Hugo Palmer's runner often produces some of his best efforts when running after a break (3-6) and returned to action with a comfortable success in a conditions event at Haydock on his reappearance last year. He backed that effort up with a snug half-length victory in the Group 2 Greenland Stakes at the Curragh before hardly being disgraced when tenth in the Group 1 Champions Sprint Stakes Series at Ascot on his only other start last year.
A rating of 114 gives him 6lb to spare over his nearest pursuer on the figures and with Oisin Murphy booked to ride and the return to an all-weather surface no issue (won at Wolverhampton as a juvenile), I'm slightly surprised to see him not at the top of the betting.
General odds of 4/1 look more than fair about a horse dropping back down to Group 3 level and with Hugo Palmer amongst the winners in recent days I'm expecting Brad The Brief to return to action with his customary success.
Selection: Brad The Brief – General 4/1
The big betting race of the day sees nineteen go to post in the JenningsBet Northumberland Plate Handicap at Newcastle (2.05).
Golden Rules has been the subject of some sustained market support over recent days following a punchy interview from owner Gareth Cheshire. However, he looked to get the run of the race when scoring off a mammoth absence at Kempton on his reappearance and although he certainly has the back class to be way better than this mark, I just can't be getting involved at around the 3/1 marker.
Michael Bell looks to hold a decent chance with Adjuvant but he's unproven on the surface and at the prices I much prefer Zoffee.
The Hugo Palmer-trained seven-year-old has plenty of experience in these big staying handicaps and relished the surface when winning the consolation Northumberland Vase over this course and distance last season. He's progressed nicely since and has run well in both outings this season including when going down narrowly to the mud-loving Metier in the Chester Cup. The gelded son of Zoffany shaped much better than the bare result when sixth in the Ascot Stakes last month having been caught wide when making his challenge and it's certainly possible, he could yet have more to offer on this surface (1-2).
Stall sixteen may not look ideal on paper but plenty of horses have won this from double-figure draws in recent years. I expect Ben Curtis to try to drop in towards the middle of the pack and with proven stamina a big plus, he should be doing his best work late on up at the Cumbria venue this afternoon.
Selection: Zoffee – General 8/1
There is Group 1 action at the Curragh this afternoon with the Pretty Polly Stakes taking centre stage at 3.25.
Above The Curve is sure to prove popular for Joseph O'Brien and Ryan Moore as she bids to back up her victory in the Group 2 Prix Corrida at Saint-Cloud.
However, I'm fully expecting the prize to head back to England for the first time since Urban Fox completed a successful Pretty Polly raid in 2018.
The George Boughey-trained Via Sistina looked like an out-and-out Group 1 performer when bolting up by six lengths in the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket on her reappearance and it's tough to tell just how good she might be. Admittedly the ground she faced that day was very testing and the winning margin was certainly exaggerated but she barely came off the bridle that afternoon and looked to have any amount in hand at the line.
The form of that Dahlia Stakes success took a boost when Al Husn foiled Nashwa in last night's Group 3 Hoppings Fillies' Stakes at Newcastle and the step back up to ten furlongs should play to her strengths.
George Boughey's mare has won on good ground in the past and although further rain would clearly enhance her claims, there should be enough cut underfoot for her to get her toe into.
There should be enough pace on at Group 1 level to allow her to settle nicely and I'm hoping this progressive five-year-old can prove the real deal by giving George Boughey a first Irish winner in the best possible style.
Selection: Via Sistina – General 15/8