KARL’S ALONG FOR THE WIN!
SWINGALONG (3.35) looks poised to cause a shock in today’s Betfair Sprint Cup.
The filly is around the 20-1 mark but there is no way she should be that big in the betting for the Haydock Group One.
She won a Group Three race at York after finishing a close third to Shaquille at Royal Ascot. Swingalong will love the fast ground and has the perfect draw under the stands’ side rail.
Karl Burke won this with a three year old filly, Quiet Reflection, in 2016 and Swingalong could be as good. Shaquille is a worthy favourite but no value at odds-on. His low draw is a worry as high numbers seemed to hold an advantage yesterday.
Saint Lawrence is a nice each-way bet at 16-1.
Meanwhile, GALLANT LION (3.10, nap) can roar to a fifth straight victory at Ascot today.
Tony Carroll’s three year old is one of the most improved horses in training.
Wins at Brighton, Newbury, Sandown and Windsor have seen him rise 20lb in the weights and today he faces his stiffest test in the Lavazza Handicap.
Rising star of the weighing room, Saffie Osborne, conjured a strong run to score on him at Windsor 23 days ago and he is just 3lb higher today. Another improver Overactive is the main threat.
Hayley Turner rides BLESS HIM (2.35) for the first time in the bet365 Handicap and she could prove a perfect partner for the mercurial beast.
The nine-year-old needs nursing into a race and
Turner is excellent at delivering a horse fast and late. The trip and ground look ideal.
Michael Stoute sends BAY BRIDGE (1.35) to the Unibet September Stakes at Kempton and he should make short work of rivals.
The Group One winner has winning form on the sand and is way ahead of his rivals on official ratings.
Dropped
The penny dropped for BALTIMORE BOY (2.10) at Kempton 17 days ago and he returns to the track off a 2lb higher rating in the Unibet London Mile Final.
He has a nice draw and Callum Shepherd can swoop late to collar the likes of Kathab and First View.
CHINDIT (1.50) needs fast ground and he’ll get it at Haydock in the Group Three Betfair-sponsored Superior Mile.
Richard Hannon’s five year old has held his form well this season and his rivals, Light Infantry and Sir Busker, would prefer a softer surface.
Aidan O’Brien’s DENMARK (2.25) ran a blinder in the Melrose Handicap at the Ebor meeting when he only found Middle Earth too good – and he can gain some handsome compensation in the Get Daily Rewards With Betfair Handicap.
The son of Camelot holds Lordship on York form and can see off Naqeeb. AZTEC EMPIRE (3.00) was also chinned at the Ebor festival although he was very unlucky in the run, being hampered twice.
James Doyle, who also rides Denmark, can steer him to success in the Betfair Exchange Old Borough Cup.
Away from the ITV cameras, SHAKE A LEG (5.35, trb) looks the best bet at Thirsk’s eight-race card.
Julie Camacho’s six-yearold ran a solid race at Newmarket after a 69-day break and shold strip fitter today off what looks a decent handicap mark.
And back at Kempton, RICH RHYTHM (4.35, nb) looks another winner for the Ralph Beckett team which continues to bang in the winners.
James Doyle rode his first winner for Aidan O’Brien when he landed the Yorkshire Oaks on Warm Heart last month, so the fact he gets his leg-over DENMARK in the Betfair Handicap (2.25) run over a mile and six furlongs at Haydock Park rocks my boat.
Hiked
This son of Camelot was second off a perch of 97 in the Melrose Handicap at York last month, for which he has been hiked to a ledge of 102. But that still looks a winning mark for this improving sort.
James Fanshawe’s HICKORY ran a cracker off a mark of 87