Morning all,
I had Wi-Fi issues last evening so I’m running behind schedule this morning which means today’s column is shorter than usual.
It's the final day of Yarmouth’s Eastern Festival today and that coincides nicely with the start of Ayr’s Western Meeting which culminates on Saturday with the Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup. There are some big field sizes for some fairly run of the mill handicaps. The highlight of an eight-race card is the Virgin Bet Kilkerran Cup Handicap (4.10).
There are also afternoon fixtures at Pontefract and Naas and the evening action comes from Chelmsford.
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Inside today’s main piece I have had a look at Saturday’s big 2-year-old race at Newbury. Plus, the big race at Ayr this afternoon.
One for the weekend
Newbury’s big race this weekend is Saturday’s Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (4:00).
Gis A Sub and Fearby 2nd and 4th in last month’s Gimcrack Stakes both seem likely to take their place in this year’s race.
The bookies make Dhabab the ante post favourite for this year’s Mill Reef. The colt didn’t seem to stay 7f when an excellent 1 ½ length 3rd to Native Trail in the Superlative Stakes last time. A reproduction of that run would make him hard to beat on Saturday.
The one I like is the William Haggas trained Maglev. The son of Galileo Gold looked nicely treated for his nursery debut at York’s Ebor Festival. And, so it proved as he ran a tremendous race to finish a 1 ½ length 2nd of 16 to last week’s big sales race winner Harrow. He remains an unexposed colt who won’t have any problem with the drop back to 6f. At around 10/1 with Ladbrokes. He looks fair each way value to this pundit.
Interesting to see trainer John Ryan has booked William Buick for Manaccan. Buick was in the saddle for the colt’s success in a Newmarket novice last month. The son of Exceed And Excel produced a good turn of foot to quicken clear of his rivals that day. It would be a big step up in class here for him. However, he shapes like a useful prospect and further improvement seems likely. He's 10/1 with Ladbrokes which appeals if he gets good or quicker ground.
Depending on the ground I will likely take on the market leaders with Maglev and probably Manaccan.
Ayr’s Western Meeting
The size of the fields and the relative quality of the runners makes day one of the three Ayr Gold Cup meeting a tricky one from a punting perspective.
4:45 – Virgin Bet Kilkerran Cup Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 2f
Overnight favourite Cockalorum has been in great form this season winning at Musselburgh & Redcar in May prior to finishing a head 2nd of 20 in the John Smith’s Cup at York. He’s since gone on to finish third in valuable handicaps at Goodwood & York. Some rain would help his cause and he must have solid claims for the win.
At bigger odds and on quick ground it may pay to side with Highwaygrey. The 5-year-old is at his best on a sound surface and likes to come off a strong pace. He was set a bit too much to do in a steadily run race when a 1 ¼ length 3rd of 9 at Newcastle 14-days ago. Down to his last winning mark and if he gets the race run to suit and his optimum going then shouldn’t be far away. Coral & Ladbrokes are paying four places so hopefully an each way play can reward backers.
Thursday selection:
Ayr
4:45 – Highwaygrey – 11/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (both paying 4 places 1/5 odds)
Good luck with your Thursday bets.
John
John Burke is the tipster behind the long standing Victor Value service you can join him here – https://victorvalue.uk