Our resident tipster Ben Morgan gives his best bets from the weekend’s action at Ascot, Newmarket and York
Ascot 2.22 – Drop to a mile should prove no problems for Hannon’s Haatem
I’m glad HAATEM managed to get his head back in front at Royal Ascot as I felt he was harshly judged on his first two efforts of the season.
He needed the run badly the first time up after such a long break, before being disadvantaged by the ridiculously slow pace they went in France on his second run.
He looked all class in the Wolferton, however, travelling smoothly before putting race to bed when the gap appeared.
I don’t have any worries about him dropping in trip here, and I think he stands out as the class act. I expect another dominant performance.
York 3.10 – No Secret to what’s needed to win John Smith’s Cup at York
Looking at previous renewals of this race, it looks very important to have a low draw, which is interesting as a lot of the fancied runners are drawn high here.
Since 2017, only Anmaat has defied a double-figure draw, and we all know what he has since achieved. Clearly, jumping well and getting a good position on this ground will be crucial, and I’m hoping HAVE SECRET could benefit from doing just that.
He has run some fine races at York previously and is a horse who, to me, always threatens to deliver more. A big field like this should see him at his best, and if he makes use of his low draw, I think he can at least hit the frame at a big price.
York 5.25 – Opera out to Rock again
Hopefully Richard Fahey can have a good day tomorrow at York as I fancy his ROCK OPERA to run well back at his favourite course.
Having only run 7 days ago, he does reappear quickly, but he is clearly in good form at present, and I can understand connections rolling the dice again.
Warren Fentiman takes a handy bit of weight off and if none the worse for last week’s exertions, I think he will be hitting the 3 again tomorrow, all being well.
Newmarket 2.50 – Wise Williams will have Aalto primed
More Thunder is a very short price here and probably rightly so, looking at his form and overall profile.
However, there is no value backing a 6/4 shot in a competitive handicap like this, and I’d rather have a punt at something at a tasty price to upset the apple cart.
Looking at the market, I think last year’s winner, AALTO, is a little too big, given that he is likely to be primed for this race.
He won the race off a 4lb lower mark last year and was convincing in doing so, backing up numerous solid efforts earlier that season.
His profile since hasn’t been as consistent, but I’m willing to forgive a few of those efforts, and I think the one poor run this season was almost certainly a prep for this. Currently 14/1, I can see him drifting a little more and I’d advise a good each-way bet as a consequence.
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