A Tsunami of top quality racing today and tomorrow has racing fans are spoilt for choice! I cannot remember such a programme of racing taking place and all under Sunny conditions. Rather than focusing on one race as per usual we will shake things up this weekend and target three of the plethora of competitive races on offer.
First up is the Portland Handicap at Doncaster where the bookies are taking no chances pricing up Intrinsic Stewards Cup winner and Muthmir, fifth in same race at very short at around 5/1. Of course they are the ones to beat but with 22 runners let’s be brave and target two at almost quadruple the odds. Seeking Magic ran a cracking race at Epsom on Derby Day when an unlucky second to Caspian Prince. That form has been franked by the winner and third placed steps and with Ryan Tate claiming a valuable 3lbs I fully expect a fresh Seeking Magic to run a big race at 22/1. Seeking Magic is drawn in stall 5 right beside Intrinsic and there is good pace around him.
Selection A – 1 Point *EW Seeking Magic Doncaster 14:40 20/1 Betvictor
Next is the English St Leger the final classic to be run in the UK and where Kingston Hill is the horse they all have to beat. If he stays the trip he should win but conditions will be quicker than ideal and he might not let himself down. The horse to take him on with is the Mark Johnson trained Hartnell who has been targeted at this race since winning well at Royal Ascot & Newmarket earlier this summer. He handles all types of ground and the trip is of no concern having won over 2 miles on good/firm ground at Royal Ascot. Forget his last run at York where the trip and fast ground were not ideal as a prep for the Leger. Joe Fanning gave him an easy time of it there and in doing so allows Hartnell to arrive at Doncaster a fresh horse. Expect to see him kick off the front or into the lead as they round the bottom bend and it will take a tough one to pass him.
Selection B – 1 Point *EW Hartnell Doncaster 15:50 16/1 Ladbrokes & Willhill both paying 4 places
The third and final race we look for the winner in is a 90k Premier Handicap at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Weekend. This 7 furlong sprint around two turns puts an emphasis on the draw with the low drawn horses holding an advantage so long as they do not go too hard and set it up for the closers. Richard Fahey is a master at winning big pot handicaps and Rene Mathis looks set to go close drawn in stall 4 with Fran Berry booked to ride. He ran a cracker when second behind Almargo at Goodwood in a similar handicap & can reverse placings with an 8lb turnaround at the weights with Almargo. Rene Mathis has plenty of speed as shown when third on good/firm ground at York behind Muthmir who is favourite for today’s Portland handicap as mentioned above.
Selection C – 1 Point *EW Rene Mathis Leopardstown 19:20 9/1 Coral else 8/1 Betfair Sportsbook
We all like to dream from time to time and if the above three horses won as part of a treble, the payout would be around 3570/1! Of course I’m way too sensible for a straight treble so I recommend an each way Patent or Trixie to cover all bases 🙂
Best of luck,
Nicky
