3 minute read
The Grant Williams trained Shining Knight returned a new career best behind Buffering last start and appears set to return to the winner's stall at Ascot on Saturday.
Having returned in great order this time in, Williams elected to throw Shining Knight right in the deep end and he was far from disgraced when finishing fifth in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes.
While a question mark remains over that piece of form, even still you would highly doubt that any of his opposition on Saturday could even run close to that mark if given the opportunity.
The fact he is lightly raced also pushes the notion that he is still untapped and if able to produce anywhere near his last start performance, it's simple he wins and wins well on the weekend.
Currently installed the 5-4 favourite appears a more than generous betting proposition as on disclosed form he rates close to 10 pounds clear of his nearest rival and hence is rated a long odds on favourite.
While you do have to wait all day before cashing in on this lightly raced five-year-old be sure to stand him out in all your quadrellas and roll all your multiples into this son of Blackfriars.
The talented Northpace gets out to a far more suitable trip on Saturday and is expected to take a power of beating racing second up.
Having produced an eye catching performance when resuming over 1400m last start it is clear this son of Cape North has returned in great order and can replicate the form that saw him finish third in the Listed Belmont Classic last time in.
He clearly has more upside than the current favourite Crumpet O'Reilly and given they meet on level weights he shapes as a great betting prospect.
On disclosed form he actually rates one pound clear of Crumpet O'Reilly on 50 day Timeform figures and yet he is a $4.40 chance, while the latter is installed the 5-4 favourite.
Drawn ideally he should be able to bounce out and be allowed to find his feet in running before being asked by Daniel Staeck for his supreme effort when rounding the turn for home.
With any luck in running we expect his class to prevail and he simply should prove too good.
The Simon Miller trained Wild Stratus proved quite impressive when saluting on debut at Bunbury however she appears well under the odds at her current quote.
On disclosed form she has to find close to 10 pounds on her main rivals and the fact you have to take close to even money about her seems ludicrous.
She started the 5-2 favourite at Bunbury last start and while she won well we can't possibly take even money about her now and more than happy to take her on.
BEST FROM THE WEST:
BANKER: Race 8 #2 Shining Knight @ $2.50
PLAY OF THE DAY: Race 4 #1 North Pace @ $4.40
LAY OF THE DAY: Race 1 #8 Wild Stratus @ $2.10