Today’s best bets, by Greg Wood
One former champion jockey returned to action yesterday and another will be back on track today as Kieren Fallon takes his first ride in Britain since June. It could well be a winning ride, too, as Deep Resolve (1.40), Fallon’s mount in the opening race at Haydock, does not need to do much more than reproduce the form of his win over course and distance earlier this month. His ultimate winning margin was just a head and Deep Resolve is 3lb higher in the weights today but he was idling in the closing stages, having taken charge over a furlong out. Fallon, who has been riding in America for the last four months, will be alive to that possibility today.
Newmarket’s card includes two Group Two events and an obvious chance for Ryan Moore to return to the winner’s enclosure aboard Time Test (3.40) in the Joel Stakes. Roger Charlton’s colt was a little disappointing in the International Stakes last time out but the form of his win at Royal Ascot in June was as strong as any at the meeting and Moore appears to have only Custom Cut, who is admirably consistent but much more exposed, to worry about. Evens is a very fair quote in a book that is currently trading 1% overbroke.
Hawksmoor (3.05) flew home to edge out Fireglow in the Prestige Stakes at Goodwood last time and is open to further improvement as she steps up to Group Two company.
Journey (2.30) is also improving and put up a very strong performance on the clock when successful at Salisbury last time. She is not the only front-runner in the race today but won that with something to spare and is the pick of the prices at 4-1.
Solar Magic (1.55) could also offer some value in the opener. She was a close second in the worst of the conditions at Ascot the day before the King George in a race weakened by non-runners but the time suggests the form may be more solid than it appears.
Tipping competition, day five
Our winners so far:
Monday
Hero’s Story 7-2
Midlander 5-1
Return Ace 6-1
Tuesday
Dursey Sound 7-1
Gone Too Far 3-1
Fly 6-4
Wednesday
Battalion 9-4
Scrutinise 7-4
Eton Rambler 6-1
Thursday
Sanus Per Aquam 2-1
Johnny Cavagin 25-1
Flying Officer 4-6
And our leader is. . .
PHILYERBOOTS +17.25
...who was the only one to find Johnny Cavagin, catapulting him from obscurity into a clear lead. Other good scores: Crasivo +8.92, Lindsey6677 +8.67, 72luca +4.75.
For today’s thrilling climax, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 2.30 Newmarket, 5.05 Haydock, 5.25 Newmarket.
This week, we’re offering you a second chance to win a copy of Paul Ferguson’s newly published Jumpers To Follow 2015-16, since we’re approaching the core jumps season. Now in its ninth year, the annual focuses on Ferguson’s 40 best prospects, with many additional features and a foreward from the trainer Jamie Snowden. 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 -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 (TODAY).
For terms and conditions click here.
Good luck!
And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
