Best bets for the horse racing this weekend

The most interesting horse racing this weekend, at least as far as I am concerned, is over the Irish Sea at Leopardstown. It’s a decent card up at Ayr with a couple of Grade Two’s and the Grade Three Scottish Grand National but there is nothing I want to back and the card at Newbury, with respect, has the feel of an end of season meeting.  

Best bets for the horse racing at Leopardstown

At 2.35 there is the Listed 7f Ballylinch Stud "Red Rocks" 2,000 Guineas Trial Stakes. It has cut up a bit from the original entries but eight are due to run with Dr Zempf perhaps the most interesting. Tried at the highest level at two he was second in the G.1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh and then a close eighth at HQ in the G.1 Middle Park Stakes beaten only 2¾ lengths. That is the best form on show and unless Glounthaune has improved markedly over the winter at Ballydoyle the Ger Lyons trained colt should win this. I have the 13-8 overnight.  

I will be interested to see how Sacred Bridge goes in the Group Three 7f Ballylinch Stud "Priory Belle" 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes at 3.10. She was unbeaten until fading out of contention in the G.1 Cheveley Park Stakes when last seen last back end; I backed her that day and it was a disappointing run. All about Juddmonte on breeding despite being by the sprinter Bated Breath there is plenty of stamina in the pedigree with Dam Sacred Shield being a 1m2f filly and Grandsires Dansili a G.2 and G.3 winner at a mile and Beat Hollow a multiple G.1 winner at 1m2f. It would be no surprise if she won this to me and I am on at 9-4 overnight for a quick Ger Lyons double on the card.  

The 1m2f Group Three P.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakesis another race that has cut up a little bit but still has a few lining-up that may prove above average. Therein is the problem it’s a case of might be for all of them and I will be watching rather than punting.  

Be lucky