Saturday's Meetings Curragh Flat 8 Races 1:15-5:15p.m. Newcastle A/W 8 Races 1:35-5:25p.m. Newmarket Flat 7 Races 1:40-5:10p.m. Chester Flat 7 Races 1:50-5:20p.m. Windsor Flat 7 Races 2:10-5:32p.m. Doncaster(E) Flat 7 Races 5:50-9:00p.m. Lingfield(E) Flat 7 Races 5:40-8:45p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
Newcastle 14,35 Single 16/1 e/w WH, bet365, Lads and Coral four places, 12/1 sky five places 15,10 Evaluation 16/1 e/w WH six places, five others, 11/1 sky seven places
Just flagging one up that I think is worth a look at the price. 13:15 The Curragh - BLACK FORZA cost a decent amount at the breeze ups and from a fast American family. No idea what his opposition is like, but the owner told me a few weeks ago that he was possibly the best horse she'd ever owned and I've been looking out for him ever since! At 12/1 he's worth an each way punt.
In an effort to find one at a half-decent price will try the (15:40) at Newcastle, a Class-2 Handicap over 7f on the Tapeta surface. A very competitive affair with many holding a winning chance. The stable speaks highly and with affection for their 7f specialist veteran, Zip, in this event. Apparently, the Killachy gelding is very fit and ready to run a solid race over his regular distance. Oisin Orr rides for the Richard Fahey yard. 9/1 (Bet365/Ladbrokes) is the top price early-doors, on the ATR site. E/W best option.
As I rarely bet on the kitty litter, the Pitmen’s Derby has become a complete non event since Newcastle switched surfaces as half the form is from turf. The two main British support cards do not look very tempting with Windsor’s seven thoroughbred races totalling just 50 runners at the time of writing with just six in the most valuable race; and HQ only mustering 46 runners for as many races with just six in the feature race. That six runner race at HQ, the Criterion Stakes (3:25), will probably see eight year old Pogo set out to make all like he did two years ago but he is clearly not the horse of old, having not won since October 2022. Two of these ran in the Lockinge but Dear My Friend has not won on turf since his two year old days and Witch Hunter was a remote third at Newbury and six lengths fourth in the Queen Anne last time. There has to be question marks against Nostrum now as he has done nothing in his last two starts and my problem with six year old Noble Dynasty is the very out of form Appleby yard (just 7 British winners this month). So that leaves me with what I consider to be an overpriced TIBER FLOW. When last seen he won the John Of Gaunt at Haydock (Pogo third, Witch Hunter ninth) and the penalty for that means that he has to give weight all round today. Across the Irish Sea, The Curragh does offer some competitive pattern race action with the feature the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes (3:30). Half of the field look easy to write off as neither of the three year olds, Content and Francophone, have form suggesting they can win at Group 1 level unless the principals have an off day; Listed winner Tasmania makes her debut for Sir Mark Prescott and probably wants easy ground; and Maxux also wants easy ground and was last of five in a Group 2 last time. Stay Alert was last seen winning the Dahlia Stakes, beating a subsequent Royal Ascot winner, so she should give a good account as her career best was second in this race last term. Lumiere Rock’s career best was her third in the Prix de l’Opéra last year and she was a well beaten fifth in the Tattersalls Gold Cup but back against her own sex it would be no surprise to see her run well. Ordinarily one might expect the Gosden’s Emily Upjohn to be favourite but the mare has been very disappointing since her second in the Eclipse and last year’s Coronation Cup winner was beaten more than ten lengths in this year’s renewal; so that leaves just impressive Middleton Stakes winner BLUESTOCKING as favourite today to go one better than her previous two Group 1 efforts: second in the Irish Oaks and the Champions Fillies And Mares last year.
In Fahey’s column on SportingLife.com he gives it a good write up and the horse was second in the race last year off a 4lb higher mark, so he should give a good account. I like Fahey’s column because you can tell from his level of positivity (or lack thereof) whether his horses are actually fancied or not; so you can write off six of his twelve intended runners today.
Just a speculative pick for the Class-2 Northumberland Plate (15:10) at Newcastle over an extended 2m on the Tapeta surface. On re-checking this is the debut run for Too Friendly,on Tapeta, so will have to take a chance in this respect. Callum Shepherd rides for the James Owen yard. 14/1 best price in just about all places early-doors, on the ATR site. E/W best option.
I can't possibly look a Prescott handicapper in the mouth over 2m1/2f, so simply have to be on Trooper Bisdee in the Pitman's Derby. Might double up on the newly knackerless Nostrum in the 3.25 at HQ
Food for thought…Why has Luke Morris gone over to Ireland to ride Tasmania in 3.30 at the Curragh instead of riding warm favourite, Trooper Bisdee in the Northumberland Plate? I’ve taken 16/1 about Tasmania. Surely worth an each way punt.
Could be a bit early, but maybe it's time for Zip to be honourably retired. He has given his stable and connections so much enjoyment with his many successes over the years. Know that everyone connected with Zip will ensure his well-being in retirement. Time is near for him to enjoy himself in the green fields of home!
