A RAY OF LIGHT
Tusk on the St Leger trail
RAYMOND TUSK is 3-1 joint favourite for today’s Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury (2.25) and boost his claims for the St Leger at Doncaster.
Unibet ambassador Richard Hannon, trains the three-yearold who was very impressive at Hamilton last time out and is expected to relish the step up to this trip.
And 20-1 for the final classic of the season will not last long if successful here under Silvestre de Sousa, who has won 10 from 22 when riding for Hannon this season.
However, fellow favourite Hamada is a guaranteed stayer and could prove a tough nut to crack.
Dal Harraild (4-1) is looking exposed and offers no value, unlike Godolphin’s other runner Walton Street, at 8-1, who should strip fitter for his reappearance at Ascot and is the choice of Adam Kirby who could have been aboard
9-1 shot Perfect Clarity for Clive Cox.
The Hungerford Stakes
(3.35) sees one-time Guineas favourite Gustav Klimt our
5-2 jolly. Ryan Moore’s mount is unbeaten in three starts over today’s trip but Yafta has finished out of the first two just once in a 10-race career.
But the dashing grey has struggled at this distance and could be vulnerable at 13-2 if there is any further rain.
At generous odds, Unibet have shortened course and distance heroine Dan’s Dream in to 25-1 from 33-1.
Squats (10-1) is handicapped to run a big race (3.00) but holds no secrets from the assessor unlike La Rav, who has his first run of the term.
And James Doyle is an interesting jockey booking for Luca Cumani’s charge who is into 12-1 from 16-1.
Antonia De Vega was backed to win on debut at Newmarket last month and the cash is down again for Ralph Beckett’s inmate who is 4-1 from 8-1 to claim the Denford Stakes (1.50).
At Newmarket, Chez Vegas has been supported in the greys-only race (3.20) and Spring Loaded is the money horse at Ripon (3.15).