1:50 York
The opener on ITV is a 7f handicap from York.
I think DASHING DARCEY (11/2) will be winning off a mark of 92, and hopefully, today is the day. He moved to the Geoffrey Harker yard this season and made his debut in the Lincoln. He needed that, and he appeared to have come on a ton for it, given the market move for him last time out at Haydock. He ran a cracker finishing second there and up a 1lb and potentially now at peak fitness, he’s the one I like.
2:05 Sandown
The first of two live races from Sandown is a tricky handicap over the mile.
I think CLASSIC (4/1) can get a well-earned success here with the booking of Ryan Moore a real positive. He’s shown promise in both starts this season, coming from off the pace to finish in the frame not beaten far on both occasions. If things drop right, a mark of 87 is well within his reach.
2:25 York
Next up from York is the Queen Mother’s Cup Handicap, a race for the amateur female jockeys over 1m4f.
I like MAGHLAAK (4/1) NB in this. The dual performer ran a great race when we last saw him finishing a good second over this course and distance. I wouldn’t be surprised if this has been the plan for a while, and that’s why he ran over this course and distance last time out. Top amateur Jody Townend comes over the ride to aid that case, and the pair of Townend and Keatley won this in 2023. I don’t see why they can’t land it again this year.
2:40 Sandown
The 2:40 from Sandown is the listed Scurry Stakes. A 5f contest for 3-year-olds.
I like COTO DE CAZA (7/2) NAP in this. He was the best 2-year-old out of this lot, which included a Group 3 victory at Newmarket on his final start. He has to give away race fitness but the Crisford yard knows how to ready one, so I’d be surprised if he’s lacking in that department. This is technically a drop in class, and I think he’s one they all have to beat.
3:00 York
The 3:00 from York is the Grand Cup Stakes, a listed race over 1m6f.
I like ALKASIB (11/4) in this for the Andrew Balding yard. There was plenty of encouragement to take from his seasonal reappearance when not beaten far into 4th here at York behind Rebel’s Romance. He will take a decent step forward, I’d imagine, and this previous course and distance winner at Group 3 level can resume winning ways.
3:20 Chester
We have one race live from Chester and it is the 3:20. A handicap over the extended 7f trip.
The horse I like is MILFORD (4/1) for the Julie Camacho stable. He was last seen finishing third in a competitive handicap at York on Dante week. That was a fine effort, and he was not beaten far at all. That race has had several form boosts since, and off just 1lb higher, he looks sure to put up a bold bid.
3:35 York
The final race on ITV comes from York and it is a handicap over 6f.
A trappy race, I think LOOM (18/1) EW could run a big one for Richard Fahey. He ran a cracker at the Dante Meeting, finishing second in a typically competitive handicap there. He was slightly disappointing last time out when 6th but the stable was under a cloud and have since turned the corner. Connections reach for the first-time hood, which looks like a good move as he can take a pull. If he gets a decent pace to aim at and settles well, he will go close. He looks like a lively player.
Free Bets for Saturday’s Racing
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