Our resident tipster Ben Morgan gives his best bets from across Saturday’s action at Sandown and Haydock
Sandown 1.50 – Quirky sprinter could be ideally suited by stiff Sandown 5f
There is no doubt that KERDOS is a quirky character, but there is also no doubt that he has plenty of ability.
His performance at Ascot is probably a perfect example of that, where he unshipped Christophe Soumillon on the way down but ended up finishing a more than respectable 5th.
This was the latest of a long list of solid runs at the top level, which suggests he should be more than able to get his head in front at a lower level sooner rather than later.
This race represents a great opportunity to do just that, and I think his style of racing will be really suited to this 5f trip at Sandown.
Sandown 3.35 – Eclipse field to feel the heat
I’m probably one of Ombudsman’s biggest fans, but I don’t see any value in backing him here at even money.
He produced his best performance in a speedily run Prince Of Wales Stakes just 17 days ago and although he can go and reproduce that here I don’t think I’d like to be taking the risk given the severe lack of pace that there may be here.
Sosie is by no means guaranteed to produce his best on this ground whilst Ruling Court and Delacroix have to bounce back from below-par runs last time out.
Camille Pisarro wants a good pace to aim at and there is a good chance he won’t get that here. I think Delacroix is likely to go on and make it but I think HOTAZHELL is likely to be up there too.
Jessie Harrington‘s classy three-year-old was a progressive two-year-old who has always threatened to improve when stepped up in distance.
He gets that opportunity here, and despite being a rank outsider, I think the conditions of the race mean he could upset the apple cart.
In a slowly run Eclipse where they quicken off the front on the home bend, he might just finish in the two.
Haydock 2.05 – Ammes to take step in right direction
This looks like an interesting race as so many of these three-year-olds begin to blossom now upped in distance.
One horse whom I expect to improve for the extra distance is AMMES.
James Owen’s horse has shown on more than one occasion this season that his stamina requires more of a test.
Silvestre De Sousa tried to set a good pace in a competitive three-year-old handicap at Royal Ascot, which worked out well, but he couldn’t live with the speed up the home straight and plodded on to finish 6th which was a more than respectable effort.
You could see him galloping all the way to the line once passed, which to me suggests this 1m 6f test will be right up his street.
At 7/1 he looks a fair bet in an open race.
Haydock 3.15 – Have a Stressfree bet in Haydock feature
I’m not sure this is the strongest renewal of the Old Newton Cup and given that opinion and previous runnings of the race I would be inclined to look towards the top of the racecard for the most likely winner.
David O’Meara’s STRESSFREE jumps out at me at 9/1 given his overall profile of an improving horse. His win here two runs back is top form in my book and that win backed up several good runs in high-quality handicaps previously.
His latest run at Ascot is best forgiven as he was never really in the race and this smaller field along with a return to Haydock should see him in a much better light.
If one further down the handicap is to take this then I think it might be PADDY THE SQUIRE who himself has been putting high level performances in strong handicaps this season. He shaped at York last time out like this distance would bring out further improvement and although I am not entirely convinced by that I think he is worth a punt at double figure prices.
For exclusive stories and all the detailed Racing news you need, subscribe to the Racing Ahead website, digital edition, or magazine from as little as 8p a day.
