UP FOR CUP
Punters will be raising a glass to Anmaat in York’s John Smith’s
LET’S hope for a Maat finish at York today in the John Smith’s Cup.
ANMAAT (4.05) showed he has the tools to deal with demands of this type of race when runner-up in the Cambridgeshire in September.
That performance came off the back of handicap victories at Bath and Doncaster. He’s only had seven races so there should be loads of improvement in him.
It doesn’t bother me he hasn’t run this season as he won first time out last year.
His trainer Owen Burrows (right) also has an excellent record with fresh horses. All five of his horses to win this year were successful on their first start of the season. Have 2pts each-way at 9-1. Several bookies are paying out on six places with Sky Bet going seven.
At Newmarket, it’s time to rob the bookies of their cash in the Bet365 Bunbury Cup.
This 7f dash down the straight looks ideal for IL BANDITO (3.50).
He quickly notched up wins at Redcar and York after joining talented rookie trainer James Horton ahead of this season. The drop to 6f didn’t help at Pontefract three weeks ago but he was not disgraced in third and it made sure he didn’t go up in the weights.
He’s got a high-cruising speed so this big-field handicap will be perfect. Have 3pts each-way at 12-1.
Plenty of bookies are paying out on six places. There’s also a decent card at Ascot. TONE THE BARONE (3.00) has a great record at the Royal track with two wins from four visits.
That’s not a surprise as he’s at his best on the all-weather and horses with good form on artificial surfaces often like Ascot.
Stuart Williams’ speedster ran well behind Lovely Mana at Sandown last weekend and he has an excellent record when turned out quickly from his last racecourse outing.
He is nicely weighted for this 5f sprint and he’s copped a decent draw. Have 1pt eachway at 18-1.
Most bookies are paying out on five places but William Hill and Sky Bet are going seven.