11.45am Time Test clocks in for York Group Two test
Tony Paley: Time Test has been confirmed on course for the Sky Bet York Stakes on Saturday when he will face five opponents in the Group Two event.
Roger Charlton’s four-year-old made an excellent start to the new campaign when landing the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown in May, before finishing third in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes three weeks ago on ground that was softer than ideal. He is likely to be a warm order this weekend to regain winning ways on the Knavesmire and will be aided by stable companion and likely pacemaker Countermeasure.
The second-highest-rated horse in the line-up is the John Gosden-trained Mahsoob, who won the Earl of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket in April before a disappointing effort in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. Ralph Beckett’s Air Pilot, runner-up to Mahsoob on the Rowley Mile, reopposes and arrives off the back of a Group Three success in France. Woodbine Mile winner Mondialiste, trained by David O’Meara, completes the quintent.
Thursday’s best bets, by Greg Wood
The abrupt defenestration of James Henderson, the chief executive of William Hill, on Thursday morning was apparently down to his perceived failure to expand their online product, and also blamed on “punter-friendly” results at Cheltenham and during Euro 16. So, if you backed a winner with Hills at the Festival or in France over the last four weeks, allow yourself a brief moment of satisfaction.
After that, ponder the fact that Hills are still expected to make profits of at least a quarter of a billion pounds this year, and that their share price went up on the news of Henderson’s departure. It’s a long game and the odds are stacked in the bookies’ favour, and discipline is the only significant weapon that punters can deploy.
Thursday’s action is a case in point, with five meetings around the country and a valuable evening meeting at Leopardstown too, where Churchill, the second-favourite for next year’s 2,000 Guineas, will start favourite for the Group Three Tyros Stakes. It would be easy to spread money around, but more sensible to be selective and stick to a handful of horses at worthwhile prices.
Big Lachie (6.35) certainly catches the eye in the nursery at Newbury this evening. Unlike several of his rivals, he has yet to get his head in front, but he showed distinct improvement on his first start in a handicap at Bath last time and looked very much as if the step up to six furlong will suit. Jamie Osborne, his trainer, had a treble from three runners at Sandown last night so his string is clearly in excellent form, and at a top price of 8-1, Big Lachie is the obvious bet on the card.
Roll On Rory (7.25) has improved significantly in his last two starts and should complete at hat-trick at Doncaster this evening, while On Her Toes (3.05) is another progressive type who can make a successful step up into Listed company in the feature event at Sandown this afternoon. Paling (3.40) will be hard to beat in the 10-furlong handicap on the same card, while Dakota City (3.15), a useful performer on the all-weather, has been threatening to exploit his lower turf mark of late and could finally get his head in front at Yarmouth.
Tipping competition, day four
Our winners so far:
Monday
Definite Ridge 16-1
Dream Walker 15-2
Go On Go On Go On 5-2
Tuesday
King Of Spin 8-1
Under Approval 12-1
Cote D’Azur 13-8
Wednesday
Excellent Sounds 11-4
Singeur 11-2
Outer Space 5-1
And our leader is:
cerises +24.50
… who turned another profit on Day Three and will end on a good score, whatever happens now. But Harry Bowles (+16.38) and pkhughesy92 (+14) are close enough to threaten.
Today, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 3.05 Sandown, 4.10 Sandown, 5.50 Doncaster.
This week’s prize is a pair of Richmond enclosure tickets for the last day of Glorious Goodwood next week, Saturday 30 July. The beautiful Sussex track will stage the Nassau Stakes and the Stewards’ Cup that day, one of the most enjoyable cards in our racing year. If you don’t win, you can 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.
