10.45am Moore in surprise return to race-riding on Thursday
Tony Paley: Ryan Moore will make a surprise return to action at Newmarket on Thursday afternoon for his first ride in public since suffering the neck injury that has kept him on the sidelines since July.
Moore warmed up for his return with a spin on the gallops in Newmarket on Wednesday morning. Initially it was reported that he would return to ride on Friday but in a late switch he will team up with his long-term ally Sir Michael Stoute on aboard Peterhof in the Arkle Finance Handicap, replacing Andrea Atzeni.
Moore revealed in his Betfair blog on Thursday morning that Wednesday was not his first time back in the saddle. He said: “I have been riding out for a little while. Wednesday was not my first time riding out, despite the reports. I feel good. I feel fit. As far as the doctors are concerned, if I am fit enough to ride out, I am fit enough to race ride.
“I am greatly indebted to the doctors and to everyone who has helped me in getting back. They know who they are. They have been brilliant. I couldn’t have got back as quickly as this without all the help that I got. I am looking forward lots now to the rest of the season. I’m just pleased to be back competing again.”
Moore has also been given the nod by Roger Charlton to ride Royal Ascot winner Time Test in Friday’s Shadwell Joel Stakes at Newmarket in place of Frankie Dettori as well as Thetis in the Shadwell Rockfel Stakes and Cannock Chase in the Sakhee Godolphin Stakes.
Thursday’s best bets, by Tony Paley
Flying Officer (4.15) has an ideal opportunity to make up for his narrow defeat in the 2014 Listed Rose Bowl Stakes in this year’s equivalent race at Newmarket this afternoon. The John Gosden-trained runner only need to reproduce the form of his close second to Pallasator in last year’s running to collect here and his Salisbury comeback victory last time out bodes well for his chances. The Salisbury runner-up has gone on to finish second in the Park Hill Stakes and the selection looks too good at his best for the opponents lined up today.
Andre Fabre’s record with juveniles in Britain means Lawmaking (3.40) merits close inspection in the Somerville Tattersall Stakes. The French trainer’s progressive colt has already shown enough to suggest that he can be competitive here and the fact that he is sent over is a recommendation in itself.
Fabre told Racing UK: “I expect [Lawmaking] to run a good race. He is a good, athletic horse and I think Newmarket will suit him. It will be good to get him some more experience and I see him as a potential Guineas horse for next year. I know he has yet to prove it, but he is a horse I like a lot.”
Tipping competition, day four
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
And our leader is …
Crasivo +10.25
… for whom Scrutinise was a fourth winner this week. But Lindsey6677 (+10) has moved up close, thanks to Eton Rambler, while 72luca (+7.75) is a handy third.
Today, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 3.40 Newmarket, 4.00 Pontefract, 4.15 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 -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.
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