Today’s best bets, by Chris Cook
Ryan Moore returns to the saddle in today’s opener at Newmarket, having sidelined himself for the best part of a month in order to get over a niggling hip injury. He hasn’t been specific about the injury or its cause but it certainly didn’t stop him during races at Glorious Goodwood, for all that he was limping a bit when on the ground.
In the circumstances, I’d imagine he will be fully effective after his recuperation and he was spotted in seeming good form aboard an equicizer early this week. And oh look, it seems he’s been lined up with a good thing for his return.
Spatial, a once-raced juvenile from Sir Michael Stoute’s yard, is his only mount for his first day back and has shortened to 4-7 from an opening 4-5. I can cheerfully let her win without my support at those odds.
Tomorrow will be barely more of a test for Moore, as his only two mounts are in the evening at Windsor, albeit one is in a Group Three. He is clearly minded to give himself a gentle reintroduction but that need not be a sign of any doubt as to how well he will cope.
Today’s nap is at Ffos Las, where Intercepted (4.30) looks a reliable 6-4 shot. From the David Lanigan yard that is just getting going after a slow summer, this well-related colt was a commanding winner on his handicap debut 11 days ago and a penalty shouldn’t stop him unless something goes wrong.
Mark Johnston’s stranglehold on the Lanark Silver Bell (four wins from five runnings) could be broken in the Hamilton feature tonight by Keith Dalgleish, whose Cape Of Glory (7.25) is full of interest at 8-1. Twice a winner on the all-weather for James Tate in January, when that stable was flying, he fared less well in the early summer when his stablemates were doing likewise, though excuses can be made.
Having been sold in mid-July, he put up a career best on his start for Dalgleish but was run down by a well handicapped rival. If he can do better again on this return to a longer trip, he should be involved in the finish.
Tipping competition, day five
Our winners so far:
Monday
Multitask 6-4
Swirral Edge 13-2
Athlon 9-4
Tuesday
Character Onesie 7-2
Calvados Spirit 9-2
Chetan 7-2
Wednesday
Staintondale Lass 11-4
Glengarry 11-2
Mukaabra 10-1
Thursday
Ginger Jack 9-4
Inner Circle 6-1
See Vermont 11-2
And our leader is:
16heathermac01 +6
... who added Inner Circle to Mukaabra.
Other good(ish) scores: BearRides +4.50, Bigboozer +3.25, cerises +0.50, BatmanKaisers +0.
For today’s thrilling climax, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 4.05 Thirsk, 5.00 Goodwood, 7.00 Newcastle.
This week’s prize, kindly offered by Ayr racecourse, is a couple of Club enclosure tickets to Ayr Gold Cup day on Saturday 17 September. It’s the climax of Scotland’s biggest and richest Flat-race meeting and always hugely enjoyable. If you don’t win, you can read more about it and buy tickets here.
As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers. If you have not joined in so far this week, you are welcome to do so today but you will start on -12.
In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest on the final day.
For terms and conditions click here.
Good luck!
And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
