11.35am Guineas winner Legatissimo on course to run in the Oaks
Legatissimo is in line to bid for a Classic double after trainer David Wachman confirmed the Investec Oaks as the “most likely target” for his 1000 Guineas heroine.
The daughter of Danehill Dancer finished with a flourish to clinch Group One glory on the Rowley Mile at the start of the month in hands of Ryan Moore, but has not been left in this weekend’s Irish 1,000 Guineas following the confirmation stage.
While unwilling to make any concrete plans, Wachman revealed the step up to a mile and a half at Epsom on June 5 was in the pipeline.
Wachman said: “She seems fine and we’re thinking of going to Epsom. All options are open and we’re not going to tie ourselves down to anything, but that [Oaks] is the most likely target.” PA
11.30am Doyle back on Al Kazeem for the Tattersalls Gold Cup
Tony Paley: Jockey James Doyle will be reunited with Al Kazeem in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at The Curragh on Sunday. Doyle was on board the Roger Charlton-trianed runner when Al Kazeem notched a trio of Group One victories during 2013 but is now one of the principal riders for Godolphin.
However, with Ryan Moore set to partner The Grey Gatsby in the race, Doyle has been called on by Charlton and owner John Deer to ride Al Kazeem in a race in which he beat Camelot two years ago.
Deer said: “We’re all booked up for Ireland this weekend. He’s entered in France [Prix d’Ispahan], but won’t be running in that. It looks a top-class race on Sunday. I’ve heard some people saying this race has been a bit sub-standard in previous years, but it’s certainly not that this time around.
“James Doyle will ride him, I believe. Ryan Moore will obviously be riding The Grey Gatsby. It should be an interesting race.”
Wednesday’s best bets, by Greg Wood
Master Bond (4.50) is 33 races into his career and should not really be finding much improvement at six years of age, but his performance when second at Thirsk last time out was a match for anything he has achieved so far, even in victory. He should be backed at Ayr today.
The latest of his four career victories was recorded at this track and trip, and while he is now 6lb higher in the weights, he ran so well last time that it is surely not beyond him. Captain Dunne, the winner there, had a big advantage making the running against the favoured rail, and Master Bond swept through the pack and then went clear of his pursuers on the way to finishing one-and-a-half lengths adrift.
Fathom Five (2.50) might get an easy time of it in front in the same card’s six-furlong handicap, while at Kempton Songsmith (6.10) has excellent apprentice Tom Marquand in the saddle and returns from hurdling not only fit, but also on an attractive mark given that he has been racing from the mid-120s over timber. Sheikh The Reins (8.40), who has been running better than his bare form figures might suggest recently, is another with a fair chance at the odds on the same card.
Tipping competition, day three
Our winners so far:
Monday
Newera 7-2
Third Time Lucky 7-4
Mutatis Mutandis 6-1
Tuesday
Free Code 9-2
Sail With Sultana 16-1
Harrogate Fair 4-1
And our leader is ...
Copshaw +11
... who was the only one to find Sail With Sultana.GForce1 (+8.75) lies second.
Today, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 4.40 Warwick, 4.50 Ayr, 5.20 Ayr.
This week’s prize is a pair of tickets to the Duchess Stand on Derby day, generously offered by Epsom. If you don’t win, you can buy tickets to this most prestigious of racing events 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 -6.
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!
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And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
