Something a little different from me this weekend as even though there is plenty of horse racing happening around the UK on Saturday, there are actually no BIG feature races as such
Why you ask? – Well, the answer is simple – all the big races are at Royal Ascot 2019 throughout the course of next week so this particular weekend always acts as the hors d'oeuvres before the main event.
Seven races have made their way on to terrestrial television on Saturday afternoon and here are all the latest tips and horse racing news.
1:50pm York - Queen Mother's Cup Handicap
This is always a fiercely contested race and once again a sizeable field go to post. Last year trainer Michael Dods provided one of his kin, Miss S.E Dods, with the surprise 25/1 winner and this year she is aboard Dods’ Billy No Mates.
Dods also provides ammunition for another of his relatives, namely Miss C.A Dods, and she rides his Archi’s Affair.
The father and daughter combination of Donald and Abbie McCain saddle Promise Of Peace who is rather interesting given the form of the yard at the moment, but the nod goes to the Mick Easterby-trained Where’s Jeff (nap) ridden by Serena Brotherton.
Brotherton is a prolific winner in these types of races and she should be on the premises again.
2:05pm Sandown - Scurry Stakes
French raider El Gaunche was the winner of the 5f Arreau Stakes at Maisons-Laffitte last time out and gets the assistance of Jim Crowley this time.
The winning run of Leodis Dream came to an abrupt end at York when the gelding trailed home last of the 19 starters and he will need to bounce back quickly.
The James Tate-trained filly Wise Words (nap) went about her switch to turf well at Redcar and looks to have plenty more to offer. The King Power-owned Well Done Fox will find this a much easier task than running behind Calyx last time out.
2:25pm York - JCB Handicap
The biggest field of the afternoon in terms of runners and it will be no easy task finding the winner. The David O’Meara-trained Firmament (nap) saves his best for this track but is continually the bridesmaid and never the bride.
For that very reason he’s an each-way play rather than a win bet. Great Prospector ran with encouragement behind Safe Voyage in soft conditions at Haydock and should come on for the run.
Tim Easterby’s Hyperfocus won a competitive handicap at Ripon last week and is clearly in rude health.
2:40pm Chester - Whitley Neil Handcraft Gin Handicap
Waldstern (nap) has been the subject of good money over the last few days on various betting sites and is drawn favourably in stall 3. The Nicola Currie-ridden Durston is vying for favouritism but being drawn 8 of 8 is a big negative in my opinion.
The course and distance winner Gabrial The One cannot be left out of calculations given the number of winners the good Doctor has here at his local track.
Gravistas ended a frustrating run of second places with success at Newmarket last time and has the plum draw in stall 1, should the Dansili colt be able to utilise it.
3:00pm York - Race To The Ebor Grand Stakes
A relatively small number of entries given the status of the race and the prize money on offer, but it looks like a gilt-edged opportunity for one of the big trainers to take home the spoils.
The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Mekong (nap) will be all the rage after his second to Dee Ex Bee in the Henry II Stakes and Ryan Moore takes the mount.
Mark Johnston is strong handed with both Austrian School, who finished third behind his stablemate in the Henry II Stakes on his last start, while Making Miracles was fourth there having previously landed the Chester Cup by a country mile.
Raheen House makes his first start for William Haggas after joining the yard from Brian Meehan.
3:15pm Sandown - Randox Health Handicap
There are plenty of horses lining up here that have been knocking on the door with regularity but have just been failing to get their noses in front.
The Silvestre de Sousa-ridden Masham Star appears to run every other week and must have a fair each-way shout in this contest. The David O’Meara-trained Baltic Baron (nap) is an interesting Andre Fabre recruit and ran with plenty of promise when second on his UK debut.
Course and distance winner Greenside looks like being in the mix again and will probably be seen to better effect when not having to negotiate the helter-skelter turns of Epsom Downs, where he finished a very creditable third in the Investec Mile (Masham Star fourth). Richard Fahey’s Zap could easily be competitive and outrun his odds.
3:35pm York - Pavers Foundation Catherine Memorial Sprint Handicap
A tricky 3-y-o sprint to end the afternoon with and there will be no shoo-ins here. The John Dance-owned Cosmic Law (nap) ticks plenty of boxes and he should have no problems with the predicted going for Saturday.
Priced around the 16/1 in the horse racing betting odds, he should give each-way backers a good run for their money.
Rathbone looks like the bread and butter pick of the Kevin Ryan runners, but it would come as no surprise to see Danny Tudhope-ridden Secret Venture put in a solid run on the Knavesmire.
The Ontoawinner-owned Shallow Hal (nb) looks far too big a price and will handle conditions underfoot. He also runs off a handy looking weight.
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
