Best bets for the horse racing this weekend
Following a very quiet start to the week I had two bets Friday, Silk Romance winning with Ladbrokes now quoting the daughter of Shamardal at 25-1 for the 1,000 Guineas 2022! It’s a relatively busy Saturday with a few to be backed at different meetings, I had two on my mind for Sunday but as has been the way this week neither of those now run. There is also a plethora of racing on Bank Holiday Monday but at this time, Friday afternoon, I have no bets planned; that may change but most of it is tricky handicaps and a punting minefield.
I am all about the behemoth owners Godolphin and Juddmonte for Saturday, no theory to it, it’s just the ones I fancy.
Best bets for the horse racing at Goodwood
First of interest to me is the 1.50 at Goodwood the 7f Group Three Prestige Stakes. Following an encouraging second in a Fillies Novice Stakes at Newmarket in July Tinderbox won at Kempton last time out; Silk Romance (second) franked that form winning at HQ on Friday. She got the run of the race that day leading every yard but the grey daughter of an old favourite of mine Farhh clearly has some talent. Daneh and Hello You will be popular but I am hopeful Dettori can lead this lot a merry dance on the selection and make every post a winning one. I think 7-1 is generous and have taken it.
I mentioned on Monday that we may get to see Benbatl this weekend and we will the seven-year-old due to line-up in the 3.35 at Goodwood the Group Two tote Celebration Mile. It is just shy of a year since he was seen last but that is of little concern as his record fresh is very good. I of course backed him for the for the Dubai World Cup ante-post all the way back in January only for Saeed bin Suroor to announce the very next day “We are keeping Benbatl for a European season.” I have been waiting to get that cash back ever since! He is the best horse in the field and should be able to get the job done before a possible tilt at Champions Day in either the QEII or Champion Stakes. I am on at the 11-4 early on Friday as I really thought he’d be more like 7-4! Chindit has been supported and does get the weight for age but has fallen short at the very highest level since and it shouldn’t be forgotten Benbatl is top-drawer performer at this best.
Best bets for the horse racing at Beverley
Ralph Beckett had two-year-old Juddmonte home-bred filly Convection entered in four races this week. She goes in the 2.40 at Beverley the 7½f Irish EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes on Saturday. By Oasis Dream she is out of Mechanisim, a winner in France during her three-race career who herself was by another Juddmonte sire in Zamindar the high-class brother of Zafonic. Fifth on debut at Kempton over seven furlongs she will have learnt for the experience having travelled okay in midfield but showing signs of greenness and Hector Crouch was encouraging rather than hard at work in the saddle in the final furlong or so. It looks to me that she has been placed to win, the other engagements looked tougher than this race. Only Bet365 are priced-up as I write at 7-4 so I shop around in case any go bigger.
Best bets for the horse racing at Newmarket
At 2.45 it’s the Listed 6f Close Brothers Hopeful Stakes and it’s a tricky heat with several dropping in class from Group company. Royal Crusade has become frustrating and drops a further rung down the ladder here. Appleby said recently he looks more like a 7f horse now but he failed dismally tried at that trip in June for the G.3 Criterion Stakes, I know I tipped him! I am prepared to back him for this and took the 11-2 on Friday as that is a big price if, and it is a big if I admit, he finds his old form. Tabdeed has to be feared.
Be lucky