Saturday 16th June: Grab Some Koditime At Sandown

With Royal Ascot right around the corner it’s slightly more about quantity than quality on Saturday, though some of the Listed races and handicaps are providing us with some lovely bets to help build the Ascot betting bank before Tuesday.  Here are the best bets of the weekend:

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2.05 Sandown (Scurry Stakes – Listed) – KODITIME

We have some very fast three-year-olds strutting their stuff here and Clive Cox’s son of Kodiac hasn’t been rushed into things at this level but is very deserving of his chance in a Listed race and gets the vote this time around.

He actually comes into this race having been beaten in a handicap last time out however he was carrying a burden weight that day and was only just pipped off a mark of 95.  Having been raised to a mark of 100 it would seem he has a better shot in Listed company than in the handicap ranks and his rate of improvement would suggest he’s far from out of place against these types.

The quick five furlongs at Sandown will be right up his street and it’s easy to see him getting the better of Mokaatil on this occasion.  Godolphin’s Sound And Silence would be right up there too if it weren’t for the five-pound penalty he carries for winning a Group 3 at Maisons-Laffitte last autumn, though his class may yet tell.

2.25 York (7f Handicap) – SPANISH CITY

Ryan Moore is an interesting participant in York’s action on Saturday and the globetrotting first jockey to Aidan O’Brien has been snapped up by Roger Varian to ride his improving five-year-old Spanish City in the seven-furlong handicap.

Moore should be confident aboard the son of Exceed And Excel who, after a long break, won cosily at Newcastle in May but could not show his best having been turned out only 8 days later at Ascot, albeit in a very competitive race in which he was sixth.

He resumed his improvement last time out at Doncaster in similar conditions to this however with a nice win under regular jockey Andrea Atzeni – the Italian is due at Sandown – and can come on again for the run.  He may not even need to improve to take this race though and should have too much for Squats and The Feathered Nest to announce himself as a potential pattern-race horse in the months to come.

3.00 York (Grand Cup Stakes – Listed) – WEEKENDER

Ryan Moore must once again feel he is on a winner with Hughie Morrison’s Marmelo and he will certainly be staying on when others have given up the ghost, but I can’t get away from the fact that we have not seen the best of Weekender yet and so of the superstar jocks on show here it could be Frankie Dettori who has the last laugh this time.

Weekender has already achieved the same BHA rating (114) as Marmelo from seven fewer races and as a four-year-old under the care of John Gosden, there is very little doubt that there is plenty of improvement still to come from him and so it seems logical that he could improve past his main rival.

The trip and ground here appear to be up his alley and so he may be value to get the better of the Deauville Group 2 winner as well as David Simcock’s Algometer who may yet have more to come in this sphere.

3.50 Sandown (7f Handicap) – MUTAKATIF

Jim Crowley has been in the wars rather this week but will hope to sign off on Saturday with a winner or two and his ride Mutakatif for main retainer Hamdan Al Maktoum looks interesting to me.

Charlie Hills’ runner closed his two-year-old season with a simple win in a novice event at Chester for which he was raised only 2lbs by the handicapper meaning he makes his handicap debut off a mark of 87, though he looks like being a good deal better than that.

He ran well first time up last season when finishing second at Haydock and in fact went off 2/1 favourite for that race so his being fresh would not seem to be a worry and his turn of pace could see him kill off this opposition before moving up the ranks.

Richard Hannon’s Rum Runner could grab a place and among others could have competition from Tadbir and likely favourite Flavius Titus for minor honours.

4.25 Sandown (1m1f Handicap) – IBRAZ

Roger Varian’s Farhh colt Ibraz, who was a Derby entrant of some promise going into the winter months, has been slightly slow to come to hand but is improving plenty for experience now and can continue on an upward curve to take this handicap.

He won a novice race at Nottingham over the extended mile back in May in the style of a horse with plenty more to give and it would seem that having been given a mark of 86, he may well have been somewhat underestimated by the assessor.

A colt of Martyn Meade’s (Infrastructure) who finished in behind at Nottingham was given an ambitious mark of 82 for his handicap debut and he was only just beaten in a good race at Sandown off that mark, lending more weight to the theory that Ibraz’s form is solid enough before we even consider his potential improvement.

It wouldn’t surprise me too much to see Roger Charlton’s Kassar grab a place in this at a good price, while the slightly more experienced Bathsheba Bay and Simply Breathless may have a say in matters too.

Saturday 9th June: Reverend And God Given To Head Our Betting Order Of Service

After the Derby and Oaks jamboree last weekend its back down to earth for us between now and Royal Ascot, though Haydock Park does provide three good pattern races and we have a good value bet in each.

Musselburgh and Newmarket also back things up with good cards, the troubled Scottish track being where we start with an improving type in the opening handicap:

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1.55 Musselburgh (1m4½f Handicap) – REVEREND JACOBS

The owner/trainer combination of Bernard Kantor and William Haggas didn’t luck out in the end with their Young Rascal in the Derby last weekend, however they could gain just a little compensation on the east coast of Scotland with this Reverend Jacobs.

The four-year-old son of Nathaniel has proven his liking for this sort of track, trip and ground and so on the face of it has no obstacles to running his best.  With that in mind thoughts turn to the opposition and while plenty will have prepped their horses to peak form, the likes of Western Duke, Lycidas and Theglasgowwarrior simply don’t look as well handicapped as our horse given how much improvement he may have to come.

Although it’s unclear whether he will or will not want further than this mile-and-a-half trip in time, the fact that he holds an entry in the £150,000 Northumberland Plate at Newcastle at the end of the month gives us some sort of clue as to what level his connections think he can reach.

2.50 Haydock (Pinnacle Stakes – Group 3) – GOD GIVEN

There are certain risks attached to backing this filly; the jockey is good if overrated and likewise the trainer, unexposed improvers can always come out of the woodwork in such races and thus far all of her best form has been on softer going.

However, God Given looks a class above these and she herself can still improve further while without having witnessed her run on fast ground we cannot say she won’t handle it, therefore we must trust the trainer as far as underfoot conditions are concerned.

Her sire, Nathaniel, did OK on faster going while the damsire Dubai Destination was very good on it so given that on balance she seems to have a few pounds in hand of her rivals on all known information, she’s worth taking a chance on.

Not one single filly really stands out as the best alternative which further strengthens God Given’s claims, though the tough and experienced Titi Makfi may provide some opposition, along with German raider Fosun.  What A Home was expected to reach a fair level last time and still may be a 100+ rated filly in time.

3.25 Haydock (Achilles Stakes – Listed Race) – JUDICIAL

Very few things over this weekend would give me a greater pleasure than seeing Muthmir get his head in front again at this level, and he is likely to go off favourite too.  However, at eight years of age he is not getting any better and we cannot guarantee he will reach the form required now to beat Elite Racing’s charge Judicial.

Julie Camacho’s six-year-old ran a stormer last month in the Group 3 Palace House Stakes on Guineas weekend at Newmarket and nothing about that was a fluke.  He has enough pace to mix it with William Haggas’ aforementioned Muthmir as well as speedy 7yo Alpha Delphini and so could be decent value to get his head in front.

The trip and ground are right up Judicial’s alley and it would be no surprise to see him score a narrow victory before perhaps stepping back up to Group company before long.

3.40 Newmarket (1m6f Handicap) – QULOOB

Owen Burrows’ progressive four-year-old Quloob looks a real stayer to reckon with this season and, although typically in a competitive handicap he doesn’t exactly come out miles clear on ratings, it’s clear that we’ve got nowhere near to the bottom of him yet and he looks set to compete in Listed or Group races at some point later in the season.

Of the main contenders in the race, alongside Alqamar, Mary Hopkins, Golden Wolf and Addicted To You, he is the highest rated already and with only seven runs in the bag thus far he seems sure to run to a mark of 100-plus and can make his class tell.

Fast ground would appear to be his forte and if it hadn’t been for softer ground only just scuppering his chances when last seen in August he would be opening his season up looking for a five-timer here.

4.00 Haydock (John of Gaunt Stakes – Group 3) – D’BAI

A huge group photo at Moulton Paddocks showed the sheer joy even a huge organisation experiences when Masar landed the Derby and this week, the combination of Charlie Appleby, William Buick and Godolphin could be celebrating again albeit in a rather more muted way.

Their D’bai has had plenty of goes but is still only a four-year-old and hasn’t reached his racing peak yet.  Seven furlongs on quick ground looks ideal for him and the step up in trip from his narrow defeat in a Windsor Listed event could now mean him putting up his best performance yet.

If that were to be achieved then the son of Dubawi is likely to land his first Group race at the main expense of Richard Hannon’s Tabarrak and Godolphin’s admirable Lockinge Stakes fourth Dutch Connection.

The unknown quantity in the race is Roger Varian’s four-year-old and likely favourite Emmaus, though despite the rapid improvement shown it would appear the ground is not in his favour.  Not only has he shown his best form on very soft ground, but most of Invincible Spirit’s other good offspring seem to take a dip in form when they can hear their hooves rattling.

Saturday 2nd June: Young Rascal To Scamper Home And Spoil Saxon’s Party

Saturday is a busy racing day but it’s one which revolves totally around the Derby at 4.30 and we have a great value bet up against the favourite.

We can get the afternoon off to a great start on the Downs in the opening mile-and-a-quarter handicap with one of John Gosden’s while we also take in the Listed race up at Musselburgh as they celebrate Ladies’ Day.  Here’s the best of Saturday’s bets:

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2.00 Epsom (1m2f Handicap) – COURT HOUSE

Competition is not exactly in short supply on Derby day and in that regard, this race is no exception.  Both Ship Of The Fen and Indomeneo can take a step forward and as such most hold place chances at least, however John Gosden’s charge has been slightly underestimated I feel and is clearly on the upgrade.

The form of his seconds to Kentucky Derby hopeful Gronkowski and to Old Persian at Newmarket can be upgraded now Court House gets a chance to stretch out in a faster paced race, along with the evidence of his racing profile which shows a horse improving leaps and bounds and it’s enough to suggest he can win this.

2.35 Epsom (Princess Elizabeth Stakes – Group 3) – ANNA NERIUM

Likely favourite Lincoln Rocks is a good target to aim for, however having reached a mark of 105 with plenty of history behind her she is definitely there to be shot at by smart three-year-old Anna Nerium and the Hannon filly is taken to score.

The weight-for-age received by the classic generation doesn’t benefit as much at this time of year as you may think, however that is taken into consideration here and I can’t get away from the toughness as well as class that this filly showed when winning the European Free Handicap at Newmarket in April.

She was not disgraced in the 1000 Guineas next time out either and should handle rain-softened ground well enough, making her fair value to beat the aforementioned Lincoln Rocks and fellow 3yo Dance Diva to claim the Group 3 prize.

3.25 Musselburgh (Ladies’ Day Gold Cup – Listed Race) – BESHAAYIR

This is a race which seems to revolve around the three-year-olds and I would be surprised if Roger Varian’s Madeline is not favourite on the day.

Having already won at Listed level and been placed in a Group One, Madeline will have plenty of supporters but she didn’t really improve an awful lot at the back end of last season and simply maintained her form before a below-par reappearance this term, albeit in the 1000 Guineas itself.

Beshaayir is at the other end of the scale in that she is only just starting out in her career and was not extended at all to win an all-weather novice race in April but is capable of so much more now up against quicker types.

On a line through the horses she beat that day it would seem she is right up to this level, plus she is bound to have improved plenty during her 54-day break from the track.

4.30 Epsom (THE DERBY – Group 1) – YOUNG RASCAL

Don’t get me wrong – anyone with eyes would have been impressed with Saxon Warrior even before the race at Newmarket so when he went on to land the 2000 Guineas his status as another O’Brien superstar appeared to be confirmed.

If he stays well enough, he should win and that remains the case now however he is no value at all and may not appreciate the ground after the rainfall at Epsom during the week.

Assuming he doesn’t step forward as the Coolmore team would wish given the conditions, then for me William Haggas’ runner Young Rascal is the most likely to take advantage.

A rarity in this field; the Chester Vase winner is already proven over his trip as well as having run well on softer ground.  Natural improvement from a trial to the big day, as well as taking a line through his lineage, would mean he can run right up to a mark of around 120 now which makes him a proper Group 1 horse and in with a shout of a Derby win.

The money has come this week for Hazapour but he doesn’t quite come here with as much proven talent as similar types Sinndar and Harzand for owner the Aga Khan and so despite liking the conditions, he may just lack a touch of class.

Well fancied types Masar and Roaring Lion have drifted since the rain came and it’s easy to see why, though outsider Sevenna Star may have a say in the finish and should not be ignored given these conditions.

Saturday 26th May: Elarqam Can In Irish 2000

Its Group racing galore on Saturday as the Irish 2000 Guineas marks the highlight of the racing weekend, however over in the UK we also have top class action at Haydock and York and it’s on the Knavesmire we start with a great value Group 3 bet:

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3.05 York (Bronte Cup – Group 3) – PRECIOUS RAMOTSWE

John Gosden’s filly proved exactly why she should have been kept in training with an impressive enough win at Brighton on her comeback and the very well-bred Nathaniel filly can go on again here.

She got herself in a pocket at the south coast track and ran all over the place once hitting the front yet still got there by a good couple of lengths over an apparently inadequate mile-and-a-quarter trip.  She is stepped right up to a mile and six here and it could be the making of her.

Gosden is well adept at preparing these fillies and tends not to throw them into Listed or Group company unless they have a winning chance, so her price could be a real touch of value up against Isabel De Urbina.

She has no other fancy entries at this stage but looks sure to keep climbing the ladder and she will get better and better with more racecourse experience.

3.25 Haydock (Sandy Lane Stakes – Group 2) – HEARTACHE

Last season’s Queen Mary Stakes winner at Royal Ascot beat a stellar field that day and really looked the part.  She complemented that victory with a win in the Flying Childers at Doncaster later in the season and appears to be the real deal.

With speed to burn, Heartache looks a potential Group 1 performer at sprinting distances and is nowhere near her best yet so could account for these before perhaps heading back to the Royal meeting next month for the Commonwealth Cup.

Her chief rival would appear to be James Tate’s Invincible Army who has been impressive of late; however he has also been placed pretty well by his trainer to win his races thus far and he may not live with the fact that he has to give away three pounds to the filly this time around.

Heartache could prove to be a lovely sprinting amuse-bouche to the return of Battaash in the Temple Stakes at 4PM, though his price would prohibit us from backing him in the big race.

3.30 Chester – PRECISION

This is a decent little handicap over 1m5½ furlongs around the bends of the Roodeye and in this one it could be worth taking a chance on Sir Michael Stoute’s raider, Precision.

Stevie Donohoe takes the ride on the four-year-old son of Galileo who had a run at Salisbury back in April but completely bombed out, finishing 7th of eight and beaten nearly 70 lengths.  He utterly hated the heavy ground that day though and was asked for no effort whatsoever after his chance had gone and this will be a different matter on the quicker ground.

He can resume his improvement and gets the vote at hopefully a decent price ahead of likely favourite Redicean for the Alan King yard.

3.45 Goodwood (Tapster Stakes – Listed) – MIRAGE DANCER

He may not go off a particularly big price, but the point about Mirage Dancer is that true competition in this race is very thin on the ground and having had a season opener two weeks ago, there is little doubt he will improve now from race one to race two this year in typical Sir Michael Stoute fashion.

Euginio may well prove to be best of the rest for Richard Hannon and Andrea Atzeni but in truth it looks like being Pat Dobbs’ race to lose and he is terrific in these situations.

4.10 Curragh (Irish 2000 Guineas – Group 1) – ELARQAM

Mark Johnston’s regally bred colt by Frankel out of Attraction was my pick for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and, despite the best horse winning on the day in Saxon Warrior, he lost nothing in defeat as it turns out.

Saxon had the form in the book and was strongly backed to do what he did, yet Elarqam managed to finish only 2¼ lengths behind on his third ever racecourse start having gotten unbalanced in the dip and remains a very definite Group One winner in waiting.

In time he is likely to step up to middle distances but for now he brings the best recent form over a mile into this race and carries the absolute confidence of the Johnston team as well as that of Richard Hills, assistant racing manager and former top jock to the owner Sheikh Hamdan who says he “should win”.

It would be no surprise to see Elarqam run the legs off this lot, though watch out for an improved run from last year’s Dewhurst winner US Navy Flag for the Aidan O’Brien team who perhaps didn’t get enough credit for that win at Newmarket last backend.

Saturday 19th May: Red Hot Haggas The Dish Of The Day At Newbury

There’s a ton of pattern race action on Saturday with potential sprint champions and middle-distance fillies on show, however the afternoon reaches a crescendo at 3.40 with the Group One Lockinge Stakes taking place at Newbury.

Young pretenders Beat The Bank and Addeybb take on proven top level performers Rhododendron and Limato with Glorious Goodwood, Lincoln Handicap, 1000 Guineas/Oaks and July Cup form all clashing over the mile trip.

We go in with four good value bets in total across Newbury and Newmarket’s cards with improving horses taken to score on their way up the horse racing ladder:

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1.50 Newbury (Carnarvon Stakes) – Listed) – EQTIDAAR

Although strictly speaking both John Gosden’s filly Juliet Capulet and Aidan O’Brien’s colt Murillo could be of a very high standard now sprinting, there are still doubts about both over this trip until they have proven otherwise.

There are no such doubts about Sir Michael Stoute’s young speedster Eqtidaar however whose form already after just three runs is right up there with the best of these and more can be expected now that he will be towed and chased along by horses in and around the top class bracket.

Furthermore Eqtidaar is by Invincible Spirit out of an Acclamation mare, both horses who won multiple top level races over six furlongs on fast ground, and so more improvement can be expected in these conditions with a dry forecast terrific reading for the trainer.

2.40 Newmarket (King Charles II Stakes – Listed) – PURSER

With any luck, the way things will work out is that there’ll be plenty of money in the ring for Goldolphin’s Aurum based on his potential, though even with improvement he may just lack a bit of experience this time but could well push up the price of our horse.

Mutaaqeb has plenty more to give on seasonal debut as well but with Purser we have both proven ability and more potential so with a few pounds more improvement to come over this distance he rates a very far bet to take this Listed prize.

He was very much fancied to land the valuable Burradon Stakes at Newcastle at the end of March while his third to Ghaiyyath last backend reads very well and now it appears he has his optimum conditions at last.  I wouldn’t be surprised if John Gosden’s Mizzen Mast colt turned up at Royal Ascot in the Jersey Stakes next month but he would have to win this along the way.

3.30 Newbury (Lockinge Stakes – Group 1) – ADDEYBB

William Haggas’ stable star has done nothing but improve since making his debut as a three-year-old at this meeting last year and having risen through the ranks is well fancied to earn a first Group One win.

With extended trips not to his liking, his run when taking care of Afaak in the Silver Cambridgeshire over nine furlongs last backend was a great performance and so it was no real surprise when he started off his 4yo campaign by winning the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster.

What was surprising perhaps was the manner in which he took care of a typically competitive field before going on to score easily in Group 2 company last time out at Sandown.  It’s not a case of if he’ll win a Group 1 but when, especially given the competitive nature of this race.

That said we cannot say when his improvement will finish and if he takes another step forward here on nice quick ground, which I expect, then he’ll take some pegging back.

Beat The Bank of Andrew Balding’s is another who looks sure to land a Group 1 race over this distance but if he’s anything like his sire he may maintain his high level at 4 without necessarily improving a whole lot more, thus he could be vulnerable against a race-fit Addeybb.

Aidan O’Brien’s filly Rhododendron may well go off favourite and has plenty of good form in the book, however it seems we know how good she is now and so if one or both of the 4yo colts do what we expect then she’ll just fall short this time.

4.50 Newbury (Fillies’ Trial Stakes – Listed) – STREAM SONG

Although it seems highly unlikely we will see an Oaks contender from this lot, although hope springs eternal of course, there should be plenty of improvement shown from the likes of Sir Michael Stoute’s Crystal Hope and Aidan O’Brien’s Athena now they have their trip.

Sea Of Class is another who should be on the premises but for me the master of preparing these fillies is John Gosden and so a chance is taken on his runner Stream Song.

The Mastercraftsmen filly was engaged in the Lingfield Oaks Trial, something I think she would have won, but was pulled out leaving her nothing more than a Windsor handicap winner to this point though she is undoubtedly capable of more than that.

She’s improving hand over fist and the brilliant Frankie Dettori should be able to get a very good tune out of her, hopefully nudged her ahead at the line where it counts. 

Fri 11th, Sat 12th & Sun 13th May: Glory, Eminency And A Master Highlight Our Betting Weekend

We have top class racing across the continent this weekend with the French 1000 and 2000 Guineas taking place over at ParisLongchamp on Sunday and more classic trials taking place in Ireland too.

We concentrate largely on the domestic action however with the closing day at Chester on Friday followed by more classic trials at Lingfield where Aidan O’Brien and John Gosden may have the two big races between them, however with little in the way of value  in the Derby and Oaks trials we take on a punt on the below.

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Friday

2.25 Chester (Huxley Stakes – Group 2) - EMINENT

Martyn Meade’s Derby fourth and French Group 2 winner may not be a big price for the Huxley, however he really should prove to be a class above these and rates a confident bet to get his season off to the best possible start.

The main point of highlighting him here though is that it’s interesting to watch what could be another Group 1 middle-distance performer making his seasonal debut en route to better things this summer and he should be able to take care of the likes of Forest Ranger and War Decree.

Saturday

2.50 Ascot (Buckhounds Stakes – Listed Race) – GLENCADAM GLORY

There’s little argument that  Barsanti could win this if he is at his best, however in these conditions and at six years of age I can’t quite see it and so a chance is taken on the level of improvement the masterful John Gosden can get out of Glencadam Glory which could be considerable.

He needed to be nowhere near his best to take care of a substandard field at Wolverhampton in his sharpener there last month and it seems the Nathaniel gelding is being prepped for a summer of climbing up the middle distance ranks, starting here.

He was mixing it with some very good types early last season as a 3yo before his progress was curtailed, however with his confidence and fitness back he may be terrific value to beat Roger Varian’s stalwart as well as Sir Michael Stoute’s Mirage Dancer.

3.40 Lingfield (Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes – Group 3) – ONE MASTER

The weight-for-age given in this race, while appearing generous on paper, has rarely helped too many three-year-old fillies and so while I can see Richard Hannon’s Tajaanus running a big one, she may not cope with the in-form William Haggas runner.

One Master displayed excellent progression last season as a 3yo, culminating in her winning the Listed October Stakes at Ascot at the backend and if anything she should probably be better on faster ground.

It’s also worth noting that, not seen as a sprinter by connections, she was probably just getting home over seven furlongs back then especially on rain-softened ground and so should be right at home in these conditions as an older filly.  Tomyris also makes the shortlist on seasonal debut.

4.20 Haydock (Spring Trophy – Listed Race) – MUBTASIM

The only four-year-old in the field is the one with the most improvement in him and a look at his overall profile tells you that Mubtasim could still be on for Group success somewhere down the line over this distance.

Beaten over an inadequate 6f trip by superstar Harry Angel at the start of last season, the son of Arcano ran a blinder to be third to Le Brivido in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot and, having now been gelded, has his mind firmly on the job in hand (on the track as opposed to eyeing up the fillies).

He blew the cobwebs away with a thoroughly decent third to Lancelot Du Lac in a good conditions race at Chelmsford two weeks ago over an unsuitable trip and is primed to attack this time around under the excellent James Doyle who comes here primarily to take this ride.

So Beloved and Richard Hannon’s Tabarrak could well prove to be the main dangers to a horse still entered in Group 2 races further down the line, albeit over six furlongs.

Sunday

2.35 ParisLongchamp (Poule d’Essai des Poulains – Group 1) (French 2000 Guineas) – WOOTTON

There may yet be some British and Irish interest in this classic however it looks like being one for the home side with the Henri-Alex Pantall runner Wootton for Godolphin.

While others may prefer much slower ground to be at their very best, this horse fairly cantered home on good ground at Deauville on his racecourse debut back in August and has been treated very kindly since then.

A devastating Listed race win in October was followed up with a clever, cosy front-running win under the control of Mikael Barzalona in the trial here last month and he can progress more than the rest.  Dice Roll and Hey Gaman could prove tough nuts to crack for the places but in truth shouldn’t get to Wootton.

Given the fact that Newmarket winner Saxon Warrior is to go up in trip, Wootton could well come to England at some point and be among the favourites for such races as the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

May Bank Holiday Weekend: Frankel Colt The Main Attraction On Guineas Weekend

This weekend sees the first two classics of the season run at Newmarket as the Flat season gets going in earnest.  We have a selection in both the 1000 and 2000 Guineas as well as one in the opening handicap at HQ and another in a nice fillies’ race at Goodwood, hopefully leading to plenty of profit.

Look out for Defoe running again in the Jockey Club Stakes, potential Derby and Oaks contenders in the Newmarket Stakes and Pretty Poly Stakes as well as the latest Kentucky Derby champion being crowned over in Louisville.

Here are our top picks for the weekend:

Saturday 5th May 2018

1.50 Newmarket (Spring Lodge Stakes Handicap) – SHARJA BRIDGE

Having been beaten only narrowly behind Group 1 hunting Addeybb on debut last summer, it’s easy to see why many believe Roger Varan’s charge to be well handicapped for this contest and I have to agree.

Very soft ground was no good for him when beaten at long odds-on at Pontefract on his second start but other than that he has shown himself to be highly progressive and looks like running to Listed or Group 3 standard about now with everything taken into consideration, so arriving here on a mark of 99 makes him very appear well-in.

John Gosden’s Dommersen rates a big danger so long as the “bounce” factor doesn’t kick in, i.e. he ran well last time in Listed company after nearly 19 months off the track and may not be in the same form or the same mood this time around.

If he does in fact progress from that run though he can show up well here, along with David Simcock’s Another Eclipse and Charlie Appleby’s Oasis Charm.

2.05 Goodwood (Daisy Warwick Fillies’ Stakes) – MORI

The daughter of Frankel only just missed out at Royal Ascot last year and has had a wind operation since a couple of underwhelming performances after that run last season.

She will appreciate the softer going here and by my reckoning has shown superior speed figures on easier ground compared to today’s rivals despite not being at her best so should be right at the forefront of things here.

Mori won the Height of Fashion Stakes around this track last year over 1m2f and is in need of this extra trip, so we should see her best performance to date in this one which should be enough for the win ahead of Architecture and Isabel De Urbina.

3.35 Newmarket (2000 Guineas) – ELARQAM

Three-year-olds winning the Guineas first time out for the season are not rare, but those with only two starts certainly are however if any horse was ever bred for this job then its Mark Johnston’s star colt Elarqam.

By runaway 2011 2000 Guineas winner Frankel out of Attraction - who was a superb winner of the 2003 Fillies’ equivalent and trained by Johnston - Elarqam has this in his veins.  On what we know about him so far following his tough but classy win in the Group 3 Tattersalls Stakes here as well as taking a line through his lineage, I’d say we can expect a run well into the 120’s and that should make him good enough.

Despite his foibles, the potentially wonderful Expert Eye has to remain high on the list too and if settling OK and staying the trip may well show us again the sort of form which had us all licking our lips after he took the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood last summer.

Forget Goodwood though; despite being beaten in a supposedly disappointing performance in the Greenham last month he ran to a mark of around 110 that day.  If any other inexperienced horse had done that in a trial without being fully wound-up you’d mark them down as a serious contender in this.

Naturally it wouldn’t surprise me to see any of Aidan O’Brien’s contenders go well while Masar, the Goldolphin runner, was hugely impressive in the Craven Stakes here but may not improve as much as some of the others between then and now.

Sunday May 6th 2018

3.35 Newmarket (1000 Guineas) – SOLILOQUY

The fact that Sheikh Mohammed paid a pretty sum to supplement Soliloquy into this race isn’t a massive pointer in itself, but a look at her overall profile as well as considering that the Boys in Blue already have Wild Illusion in the race with a live chance does speak volumes.

The daughter of Dubawi improved plenty when taking the Nell Gwyn Stakes at the Craven meeting last month and it wasn’t unexpected.  She has improved tons over the winter months and wasn’t fully wound up to take care of Altyn Order that day who just failed behind O’Brien contender I Can Fly last season in the Oh So Sharp Stakes.

Plenty more progress is expected and I can easily see her leading home her stablemate Wild Illusion who showed top class form when taking the Prix Marcel Boussac last backend, though she may want a little further than this ideally.

Aidan O’Brien’s biggest chance seems to lie with Happily, another Group 1 winner at the Arc meeting, though again whatever she achieves here can be improved upon when going up in trip.