Who To Watch – Week Beginning 17th September

The big race of the week comes from Scotland and the cavalry charge of the 25 runner Ayr Gold Cup on Saturday. All bar one of the races on the card are handicaps so it’ll be competitive and potentially a tough one on the punting front. Newbury also host a very good card with a pair of Group 3’s and the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes, won in recent years by future top level winners Ribchester and Harry Angel. We also have a steady run of Listed contests from Tuesday through to the weekend with Galway, Sandown, Yarmouth, Newbury and Ayr hosting races.

Trainers 

• Andrew Balding – His yard has been going well for a while now and he had a remarkable day on Friday with 7 winners, at least one at each flat meeting on the day in the UK.
• Ian Williams – A very impressive 40% strike rate last week with 6 winners which included a four-timer on Saturday. Has a couple of runners over jumps on Monday which are interesting.
• Saeed bin Suroor – A 30% strike rate last week and has just 1 runner at Brighton on Monday, he has a 33% win percentage at the track in the last 5 years.

Jockeys

• Jason Watson – Tops the jockey charts with 8 winners last week. Has a full book of rides at Brighton on Monday including the one for Saeed bin Suroor, who he has a 38% strike rate for this year.
• Jim Crowley – Remains in very good form with another 6 winners last week, giving him a 34% strike rate for the past 14 days. 
• Ryan Moore – Had 8 winners across the UK and Ireland last week, including on Kew Gardens in the St Leger. Take note if he rides at Yarmouth this week, he has a 31% strike rate there in the past 5 years.

Horses

• Wufud – Half-brother to the exceptional Muhaarar who looked to be getting the hang of things when winning last time, makes his handicap debut in the 7pm at Kempton on Tuesday.
• Beat Le Bon – Made a highly encouraging debut when a narrow second to a horse with experience, pair were well clear. Has a couple of entries at Sandown on Wednesday along with Group 1’s later in the year.
• Wadilsafa – Seriously impressive winner of a York handicap in July and likely we haven’t seen the best of him yet. Entered in the 3.15pm at Sandown on Wednesday.
• Morando – Has been waiting for his ground for some time and could finally get it in the 3.35pm at Ayr on Thursday. Boasts some good form with cut in the ground.
• Wise Counsel – Ran in hot maiden at Newbury back in June and ran a very eye-catching race in defeat last time. Has potential and is triple entered on Friday and Saturday.