17/09/2022 – Saturday’s Racing Tips

NEWBURY

Race 4 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (Group 2)

No5 SAKHEER (Nap)
Trainer: Roger Varian – Jockey: David Egan

There was something exciting about the way SAKHEER pulverised his Haydock rivals when backed as if defeat was out of the question at the start of the month. He displayed an impressive turn of foot to justify every penny of the support, and can show that this big step up in class is within his compass. He’s up against a prolific winner in Shouldvebeenaring, and this grey will almost certainly test him in search of a four-timer, while Haydock scorer Charon ran into one last time and can also get into the shake-up.

Race 5 No13 MAJESTIC (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Rob Hornby

Getting weight from all his opponents, MAJESTIC is a name to conjure with as an attractive roughie for this all-aged handicap. The gelded son of St Leger hero Conduit has been narrowly denied in both handicap outings, but is going to revel in a move up to a mile and a quarter in a race that is sure to be run at a frenetic pace. He will be doing all his best work at the business end of affairs.

Race 6 No12 PALAMON
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Pat Dobbs

Decorated Knight colt PALAMON had to play second fiddle to Bold Act on debut at Newmarket, but nevertheless came away with a ton of credit. His trainer has enjoyed prolific success with horses under this ownership, and the chestnut can take full advantage of race fitness against a swathe of well-related newcomers.

Race 7 No12 JACOVEC CAVERN (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: George Bass

There are many hot betting races on the card but this mile and a half all-aged handicap should see most action. One that might be over-priced is JACOVEC CAVERN, who was on the back foot when the tempo quickened rounding the home turn on his latest start at Haydock. He was consequently unable to get in any kind of blow, but may find himself in his comfort zone if they go hard on a galloping track that should prove more suitable for him.

AYR

Race 2 No10 PHANTOM FLIGHT
Trainer: James Horton – Jockey: PJ McDonald

The Doonside Cup is one of the most historic prizes on the Scottish calendar and can herald a deserve big race success for rookie trainer Horton with PHANTOM FLIGHT. The Siyouni colt looks more than capable of handling this step up in grade after impressively taking out the Class2 Sky Bet Finale Handicap at York where he drew six lengths clear ofSpirit Dancer. He had previously finished only three lengths adrift of subsequent Gordon Stakes winner and St Leger third New London at Newmarket, and with only five runs to his name holds scope for further progression.

Race 3 No14 LOVELY BREEZE
Trainer: Hugo Palmer – Jockey: Clifford Lee

As a ‘now’ horse in the Ayr Silver Cup, LOVELY BREEZE takes the eye under a 5lb penalty for her resounding Goodwood success a fortnight ago. Key to her triumph was the cut in the ground, and while she will encounter a similar surface, as a filly finding her niche at this time of year she’s certainly capable of further improvement.

Race 4 Virgin Bet Firth Of Clyde Stakes (Group 3)

No12 QUEEN ME (Nap)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: Tom Eaves

The Ryan stable posted a juvenile double in the first two races on Thursday and now looks to one of its flag bearers QUEEN ME to deliver in one of the final day’s highlights. The daughter of Dubawi landed some decent bets when scoring on her Haydock debut before as a 20-1 shot beating all bar Swingalong in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York. That formline, if repeated, gives her an outstanding chance of success.

Race 5 VIRGIN BET AYR GOLD CUP HANDICAP

No4 VADREAM (Each Way)
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes – Jockey: Oisin Orr

VADREAM has been on my radar for a while now, and bearing in mind she’s shown her best form in the autumn, the decision to run her in this valuable handicap rather than a Group race can pay dividends. She didn’t cut the mustard in her first three outings in Pattern company, but when equipped with first-time cheek pieces was unlucky not to land a Listed race at the July course at Newmarket. Recalling her Group 3 triumph at Ascot and fine effort to finish only three lengths behind Creative Force in the Champions Sprint around this time last year, she’s a filly to follow on soft ground through the final weeks of the season.

For exotic wagering, this betting extravaganza is a must, and it could pay to put the likes of Vadream’s stablemate CHIEFOFCHIEFS into the mix. After a couple of solid efforts in the marquee spent handicaps he was given a strange ride at Ascot, a run that might be best forgotten.

Two others that should be doing their best work at the finish age ESCOBAR and POPMASTER, while last year’s winner BIELSA isn’t out of it.

Prediction: 1st VADREAM, 2nd Escobar, 3rd Popmaster, 4th Chiefofchiefs, 5th Bielsa

Race 6 No8 METAL MERCHANT (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Rossa Ryan

METAL MERCHANT is a name to conjure with in this nursery over a mile. The Make Believe colt returns from more than 100 days off following a first success in a Chelmsford novice. He has strengthened up, and if running as well as he’s been working can earn.

NEWMARKET

Race 1 No1 CHELSEA GREEN (Nap)
Trainer: Hugo Palmer – Jockey: Harry Davies

CHELSEA GREEN has the season’s top apprentice alleviating the penalty she incurred when opening her account at Sandown. The daughter is US Navy Flag created a favourable impression on that second career start, and looks for all the world as if she will be suited by the extra furlong at Headquarters.

Race 5 No1 RAJINSKY
Trainer: Hugo Palmer – Jockey: Harry Davies

With no miles on his racing clock this year RAJINSKY can serve up a winning effort in this trial for the Cesarewitch. He’s earned in each of his three starts for the Palmer stable, scoring on reappearance at Ripon, finishing third in a Class2 at Chester and running an excellent fourth behind Trueshan in the Northumberland Plate. Beaten only three lengths in that historic race, he takes a class element to post and can return to winning ways.

Race 7 No20 SONNETINA (Each Way)
Trainer: Denis Coakley – Jockey: Miss Sophie Smith

SONNETINA is a long-standing maiden that needs to improve to have an impact in this amateur jockeys’ Cambridgeshire. However, under the same pilot that’s on board today she made an eye-catching return to the track to take home a cheque at Goodwood, and if going forward can earn at a fancy price.

WOLVERHAMPTON

Race 2 No9 MAID IN KENTUCKY (Each Way)
Trainer: George Boughey – Jockey: Callum Shepherd

I can pass on a positive message for American Pharoah newcomer MAID IN KENTUCKY, and a market check is advised on the filly whose trainer is a dab hand at getting one ready. She’s a quality prospect for long term but may still have too many guns for the penalised Rose Of Ithaca.

Race 5 No9 GRIGGY (Each Way)
Trainer: John Butler – Jockey: Grace McEntee

GRIGGY is well drawn for this sprint round a left-handed bend and can post a first success since joining his trainer. The six-year-old hasn’t won for almost two years but is not only back on a favourable mark, but put on a best run of the season with a visor added at Chelmsford last time.