Racing Ahead‘s resident tipster Ben Morgan selects his best bets for this weekend’s action at Ayr & Newbury.
Ayr 1.15 – Fiz set to pop in opener on Gold Cup day
Roger Varian rarely sends many this far north and his two runners today look to have leading chances.
I prefer the chances of KHAFIZ who drops back down to handicap company after a foray into Group 3 company last time out.
His earlier wins at Kempton and Doncaster suggest he should be able to make up into a Group performer in time but a mark of 99 has tempted connections to take advantage of that first.
I think the softer ground will prove absolutely key to his chance today as he looks to be in much need of it after an incredibly dry Summer.
This doesn’t look like the strongest renewal of this race and I can foresee a situation where this is Khafiz’s first and last start in a handicap.
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Ayr 2.25 – Juice to suit Candy well
Richard Spencer has proven on a few occasions this season that he is able to land a big pot with some of his better handicappers and all of his big hitters still seem to be in form.
With this in mind I think his second string as such have standout chances in the Silver Cup.
My slight preference is for CANDY who like the first selection looks to have been crying out for some softer ground.
He improved no end for this ground last Autumn and I fancy him to show similar improvement here.
His reappearance last time out after a small break was satisfactory and with that under his belt he should go well here.
I’m not sure what the situation was with regards jockey bookings but I think it is interesting that David Egan is on RIGHTHERE RIGHTNOW who shapes as if the 6f at Ayr will be right up his street.
His form in the book is in and out but I think connections may have found the key to him now.
Ayr 3.35 – Spencer could be the Golden Boy
It would be some double if Richard Spencer could land the Ayr Silver and Gold Cup but I think he has a decent chance of doing so as RUN BOY RUN and Two Tribes would have obvious claims here.
I prefer the former as I still think he has a bit of room in his current handicap mark and the layout of this race could suit him really well.
The stiff 6f will allow George Wood to ride a race on him knowing he will come home strong which is something he hasn’t always been able to do this season.
Last week at Doncaster was a prime example as he was almost forced to be up in the vanguard throughout to ensure his stamina could be seen to best effect.
With a strong pace to run at here, provided he is on the right side of the draw, I think he will go close.
Ayr 4.10 – Red gets the Green light from me
This looks a hot novice race as you would expect it to be on Gold Cup Saturday.
There are some fancied runners from south of the border who could take up a lot of market attention which will hopefully leave RED SPELLS DANGER at a tasty each way price.
Tim Easterby’s 2 year old ran a huge race in the Convivial Maiden at York last time out and that race couldn’t be working out much better.
He was a big eye catcher that day as he seemed to have all of the fancied horses off the bridle 2 furlongs out as he came swinging to the front hard held.
He just got outclassed late on but the move he made suggested he is a fine horse in his own right.
With two runs under his belt now, his experience could be crucial today and I fancy him to get his head deservedly in front.
Newbury 4.25 – Spencer to clear Wood from the Trees
LINWOOD looks about the best of these on current form with all of his recent runs working out very well.
Two third place finishes at Goodwood off a mark of 93 suggest he should be able to make his mark in a race like this now dropping back to 7f.
The straight track here at Newbury will ensure his stamina will come into play late on which should allow Jamie Spencer to ride a proper race on him in true Jamie Spencer style.
Anything around 11/4 and bigger looks fair to me.
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