Thursday’s best bets, by Chris Cook
Henry Candy has had more winners in the first 10 days of August (4/12) than in the previous three months put together (3/86). Stable form is a transient, intangible thing for much of the time but this is as clear a turnaround in fortune as you can reasonably hope to find in the middle of a Flat season.
Candy said on’t telly on Wednesday that he reckoned his yard had had two distinct bouts of the virus that has been passed around this season. It is absolutely bananas that he managed a total of three wins in June and July, yet two of them were in Group Ones. By prize money, this is the second most successful season he’s had for at least 25 years.
Anyway, every one of his runners in the next month will warrant careful scrutiny and I see at least each-way possibilities in the 14-1 about Rosie Royce (4.40), making her seasonal debut at Salisbury against a handful of fillies that have become disappointing. Her form in maidens last year strongly suggested that fast ground would be her thing and she’ll get that here.
The ground had gone against her by the time of her only nursery outing in October, but at least she got the experience. There are a couple of Listed winners on the dam’s side of her pedigree and it would be no surprise if Candy has now wrought the necessary improvement for her to be winning off a mark of 67.
The progressive Alyssa (5.15) will do at 5-4 for me in the closing marathon handicap. She was entitled to win as she did on her handicap debut last time but still looks fairly treated and the extra quarter-mile looks like good news. There are other improving recent winners in the field but they lack her upside.
At Yarmouth, there is something to be said for the 12-1 about Plantation (6.35) from the Robert Cowell yard that is now back among the winners. An expensive yearling, this three-year-old is new to Cowell this year and can be forgiven a tired finish to his reappearance run last month. He now steps back to the minimum trip.
Tipping competition, day four
Our winners so far:
Monday
Shawaahid 3-1
Robinnielly 4-1
Permian 11-10
Tuesday
Seamster 9-2
Gold Hunter 3-1
Kingsgate Native 20-1
Wednesday
Age Of Elegance 5-1
Chain Of Daisies 11-2
Louis Phillipe 11-2
And our leader is:
Geoff Staddon +13
… who added Age Of Elegance AND Chain Of Daisies to Seamster and Shawaahid for a fine week’s work. Cerises (+6.50) is his closest pursuer. Charlie_C (+3.50) had the same double yesterday.
Today, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 3.20 Beverley, 4.10 Salisbury, 8.05 Yarmouth.
This week’s prize, generously offered by Doncaster racecourse, is a pair of County Enclosure tickets to St Leger day on Saturday 10 September. This is your chance to see the final Classic of the season, which this year may feature a clash between those classy youngsters Idaho, Red Verdon and Wings Of Desire. Or you can opt for Doncaster Cup day on the Friday if you’d prefer. If you don’t win, you can read more about Doncaster’s four-day Leger meeting 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 -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.
For terms and conditions click here.
Good luck!
And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
