Friday’s best bets, by Greg Wood
The Dee Stakes, which was inaugurated just before the Battle of Waterloo, produced a Derby winner 12 years ago in Kris Kin and was won by Magician, a subsequent Classic and Breeders’ Cup Turf winner, in 2013, has now been downgraded to a Listed race by the European Pattern Committee.
It could therefore do with a decent winner to aid its climb back towards Group status, but has lost three of the seven declared runners already due to the softening ground and in Smuggler’s Cove, it has attracted one of the few three-year-old colts in the Aidan O’Brien yard who is not entered in the Derby.
In the absence of Nafaqa,who would have been his main rival on the book, Smuggler’s Cove (2.40) will probably prove good enough, though his rating at the end of the season will not do much for the Dee’s status. If he wins it will complete O’Brien’s fourth win in a row in this event.
Tac De Boistron (3.10), currently around 14-1 for the Ascot Gold Cup, should make a successful seasonal debut in the Ormonde Stakes, while Anonymous John (3.45) is an interesting runner in the sprint handicap. He has a good draw in stall three and form with some cut in the ground and should be able to get to his favoured position in front.
English Summer (5.25) also appreciates soft ground and while his draw is not ideal, he has winning form over course and distance and Samantha Bell has a mile-and-a-half to work with.
Tipping competition, day four
Our winners so far:
Tuesday
Tears Of The Sun 8-1
Brody Bleu 5-2
Best Trip 14-1
Wednesday
Diamondsandrubies 5-4
Trip To Paris 10-1
Lexi’s Hero 10-1
Thursday
Hans Holbein 7-4
Navigate 8-1
Mica Mika 8-1
And our leader is …
dean055 +17
… who had a winnerless Thursday and is now hard pressed by two rivals. Other good scores: Steve Ellis +16, waltersobchak +15, 15244 +7.75, chris1623 +6.25, PHILYERBOOTS +6, Toptrapper +5.75, slackdad38 +5.75, JahLion +5.50, moidadem +5.
For today’s thrilling climax, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 3.10 Chester, 4.20 Chester, 5.25 Chester.
This week, we’re offering you a second chance to win a copy of The Druids Lodge Confederacy, by Paul Mathieu, which recounts the amazing century-old story of five gentlemen gamblers who tried to make the game pay through the use of a remote stable on Salisbury Plain where the staff were locked in to ensure secrecy. If you don’t win, you can buy a copy 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 -9.
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 (TODAY).
For terms and conditions click here.
Good luck!
Click here for all the day’s racecards, form, stats and results.
And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
