Saturday’s TV races
Roger Charlton should prove one of a handful of trainers worth following as the Flat season enters its final weeks, at a time when some of his rivals appear to have done all their winning for the time being. Charlton has had five winners in the past fortnight at a strike-rate of better than 20%, is within five wins of his best year and has the likeable Makzeem (3.35) in Ascot’s Challenge Cup, today’s major handicap.
Closely related to Charlton’s top-class Al Kazeem, this four-year-old is finishing his year on a strong upward curve and is well in under a penalty for his success at Newmarket last weekend. Another furlong is probably going to help him in time but he should get the strong pace that he needs to get the win this time.
1.50 Ascot Waady has been working his way back to the sort of form that saw him win a Group Three in 2015 and go close in the King’s Stand last year. His Leicester win over Kachy and his Newbury fourth to Take Cover read well in this company.
2.05 Newmarket The suddenly progressive Marie Of Lyon should be able to complete her hat-trick, with Ryan Moore aboard for the first time.
2.25 Ascot The market will get all excited about Andre Fabre’s Waldgeist, who was pipped in the French Derby and ran fourth in the Irish equivalent when last seen. But he looked ploddy that day and a three-month absence followed by a drop into this company is disconcerting. Secret Number, who won this race four years ago, could be the answer again, having shown all his old ability in a light campaign so far.
2.40 Newmarket A really tricky Group One, in which Qemah might have the most raw ability, though she and her jockey seem unable to agree as to who’s boss. Roly Poly beat them in the Prix Rothschild, at which point Aidan O’Brien’s filly had been beaten only by Winter in four Group Ones. She was ridden like a pacemaker last time, in a race that Winter was expected to win but which in the end fell to another of her stablemates. Roly Poly can show her ability once more with Moore back aboard. Usherette comes into the reckoning and will be fine on the ground but trailed Roly Poly by three lengths at Deauville in the summer.
3.00 Ascot Heavy going at Haydock last month did not suit Blue Point but he is the fastest of these and should be able to prove it, even though there is some juice in the ground.
3.20 Redcar In this big field, it might be an idea to go with a horse proven over further and perhaps Crownthorpe can do best of Richard Fahey’s big team. His form has improved for each of his last four runs in nurseries.
Tips for all Saturday races
Newmarket 1.30 Balletomane 2.05 Marie Of Lyon 2.40 Roly Poly 3.15 Just Brilliant 3.50 She Believes 4.25 Shenanigans 5.00 Great Court 5.35 Cribbs Causeway (nb)
Redcar 1.40 Big Kitten 2.10 Commander Han 2.45 Leopard 3.20 Crownthorpe 3.55 Yattwee 4.30 Zodiakos 5.05 Chancery 5.40 Nuns Walks
Ascot 1.50 Waady 2.25 Secret Number (nap) 3.00 Blue Point 3.35 Makzeem 4.10 Eternally 4.45 Delagate This Lord
Fontwell 1.55 How’s My Friend 2.30 Accord 3.05 Loverboy 3.40 Orbasa 4.15 The Black Squirrel 4.50 Fly Home Harry 5.20 Django Django
Wolverhampton5.45 Natheer 6.15 Princess Lyla 6.45 Gulliver 7.15 Amazing Rock 7.45 Song Maker 8.15 Ode To Glory 8.45 Send Up 9.15 Super Ruby
