Racing takes place on ITV with live racing from Haydock, Ascot and Kempton Park.
Last week got this series off to a flyer with three out of seven winners including at 8/1, 3/1 and 6/4. Positive was the obvious superstar last weekend when winning the Solario just narrowly denying Kameko. The Beverley Bullet was taken by the Julie Camacho trained Judicial. He is now three from three at the track and will clearly be targeted at this race in the future. Lavender’s Blue is a horse I have always been a massive fan of but decided to go against her last week. She is a horse who looks like she is improving with each run and she is one to keep an eye out for future reference. Hopefully we can have as good week as the last.
1:50 Haydock
The opening race looks a wide open three-year-old handicap. The market leader is First in Line who is still relatively unexposed after just four starts. He has never been outside the first two and ran exceptionally last time out in the Melrose. He sets the standard with that performance and may be difficult to beat for the combination of Dettori and Gosden. Moon King is five from five this season, but I have a feeling he has reached his ceiling after going up 22lbs. I have similar thoughts with Calculation who is three from three in the visor and has moved only 5lbs in the handicap for his wins. Trueshan could still be anything but has been given a mark of 91 for his debut in a handicap which Is on the high side, but you couldn’t rule him out after his two wins and could be each way value.
Verdict- First in Line 5/2
2:05 Kempton
The September Stakes looks an interesting renewal with multiple group one winner Best Solution heading the market. He was last seen running in the Melbourne Cup and finished 8th which was a good performance. He may just need this run and he is too shorter price for me. Mootasadir is a horse who interests me as he is 6-7 on the All Weather. He’s been tried in a Group 2 in Belmont and the Northumberland Plate. I personally didn’t think the NP suited him last time and a smaller field and back at home on the surface I think he will run a big race at the prices. Sun Maiden is a horse who I rate highly but am unsure whether she wants this far. She’s bred to stay the distance but I’m unsure.
Verdict- Mootasadir 9/2
2:25 Haydock
The Superior Mile has a small but select field with the unbeaten Miss O Connor lining up after her Listed win over course and distance last time. She has been with William Haggas for two runs now and I still feel there is more potential with her and is a decent price stepping up in class again. It would be interesting if she stays in training next season as the same connections kept One master’s in training and I think she could be a Group one filly in time. Sharja Bridge has been tried in higher company than this so far this season and probably is the standard setter on his form from the beginning of the season. Here Comes When loves soft ground and Haydock which are perfect conditions for him. He won this last year and I think he could be competitive again here.
Verdict- Miss O Connor 4/1
2:45 Ascot
It wouldn’t be a Saturday afternoon without a seven-furlong handicap full of reliable types who bump into each other at every meeting. Ripp Orf is ultra-reliable here at Ascot and is a multiple course and distance winner. He will need to be delivered late, but I think he is the one they have to beat. Escobar has been running over further in recent years so will be interesting if the drop down in trip will affect the strong traveling gelding much. Tabbarak bounced back to form last time at Goodwood and was unlucky in running when finishing second. Hes a course and distance but he’s carrying top weight, but I wouldn’t rule him out.
Verdict- Ripp Orf 11/2
3:15 Kempton
The London Mile Series has its final at Kempton and top weight Motawaj heads the market. Hes gone up to a rating of 97 even though he was sixth last time. A lot went wrong that day and I think he is the class act in the race. Kasbaan is two from two on the All Weather and got his campaign with Mick Appleby underway when wining first time out for the stable. He only ran on Tuesday but is well respected under the penalty. Kuwait Currency looked to regain his two-year-old form last time out when winning over course and distance. Hes up 5lb but he must run a good race after his performance last time.
Verdict- Motawaj 9/2
3:35 Haydock
The Old Borough Cup looks a competitive heat with a 13/2 bar the field. Alright Sunshine is unbeaten in handicap company so far this season. Hes slowly creeping up the weights but he’s a horse of interest and could see him being competitive in a much more difficult race. Corelli was narrowly touched off at York last time and has been nudged up 2lb for his narrow loss. Carrying top weight in this race will be difficult so I am against him at this moment in time. Crystal King is an infuriating animal for me as I think he has a big pot in him somewhere, but he has disappointed a lot of the time. I am willing to give him one my try in this even though he has been off the boil so far this season.
Verdict- Crystal King 12/1
3:55 Ascot
Another three-year-old handicap takes place and this time its at Ascot. Cirque Royal is yet to run on grass put has been applying his trade on the all weather and doing it very effectively. He demolished the field last time out winning by seven lengths but that was a week race and would need to improve again. Faylaq was thought the world of after his wins in handicap company but got beat at this venue last time out. I still think he’s a decent animal and he may be just handicapped to his peak here. Cap Francais is a horse I have been a fan of since his debut. He has been highly tried and been slightly disappointing so far this season. He drops into a weaker looking handicap and although he’s exposed, I think he could outrun his odds.
Verdict- Cap Francais 14/1
4:10 Haydock
The feature race of this weekend is the Sprint Cup at Haydock. Many classy sprinters have gone onto win this and Advertise looks to cement his name as one of the greats. He got back to winning ways at Deauville last time after loosing out in the July Cup to Ten Sovereigns. His rival might not re-oppose here due to the ground so his task will be made slightly easier if he doesn’t face him here. Khaadem won the stewards cup at Goodwood last time but was beaten by the market leader in the Commonwealth cup at Royal Ascot. He would need to step up again here but may struggle in the top grade. Brando, Dream of Dreams and Invincible Army are all horses we know where we stand with them. They are normally competitive at this level, but I am going to side with Brando. He always runs well at Haydock; the soft ground won’t be to his disadvantage and he was narrowly denied by Advertise last time out and think he’s a shade overpriced. This race certainly looks a cracker so keep your eyes peeled for this race.
By James Watson (@james_watson98)
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