Best bets for the horse racing this weekend as the Flat racing season begins
Saturday is Lincoln Handicap day at Doncaster, the first day of the Turf Season 2023 and I unashamedly love it! I am a huge fan of the Flat, as any regular visitor to the site will know, and I love the first day of the Turf horse racing season. If you have logged on to find a bet over the sticks today, spoiler alert, you are going to be disappointed.
Best bets for the horse racing at Doncaster
The going is soft-heavy in places which is certainly worth noting. The 5f Brocklesby Stakes gets the Turf season underway at 1.50 and there are several interesting two-year-olds lining up, but as there is of course not a line of form to go by I would normally suggest it is a race to watch rather than punt in. That said I am having a go on one. Charged Up is bred to be a two-year-old, by Expert Eye, a high class juvenile in has day before going on to win at the Breeders Cup, he is out of Electric Feel who was a two-year-old winner herself. She is by Firebreak, a multiple sprint winner at two and her family has produced more than a few winners. The yard isn’t exactly known for first time winners but at the price, 25-1 was available Friday afternoon, I think the colt is worth a little each-way punt to get the season off and running and that is what I have done.
The 6f Listed Pertemps Network Cammidge Trophy Stakes is due off at 3.00 and looks a competitive heat. El Caballo was on an impressive run of victories last year and was actually sent off jolly for the G.1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot when last seen; won the G.2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock before that. He has gone well fresh before so the lengthy absence isn't that much of a concern and the four-year-old should be fine on the going, won on soft at two. I have a bit of the 4-1 early about him proving too good for this field. Comanche Falls has a great record first time out and has to be feared though might be high enough in the weights now whilst some cash has come for Asjad again, was well backed on his last outing.
The betting heat of the day, the Lincoln Handicap, is due off at 3.35. Plenty in with a chance here as you would expect and William Haggas appears to hold a strong hand once again with Al Mubhir and Montassib both having chances. Wanees has been on my mind for a few days and with the yard of Charlie Hills in a bit of form at the moment he has to be considered. He had a few of today's rivals behind over the mile at Haydock last back end and is certainly open to improvement yet as a relatively lightly raced four-year-old. Drawn highest of all fingers crossed that's the side to be on, in theory the early pace should be that side, and hopefully he can slip in just behind the leaders before bursting clear late on. I am on at 9-1 this morning.
Best bet for the horse racing at Kempton
The race I am interested in on the All-Weather is the 1m2f Listed Unibet More Extra Place Races Magnolia Stakes at 2.05. Secret State didn't get home when tried over 1m6f at Ascot last back end and this trip is much more his game. The four-year-old chestnut was gelded and has wind surgery over the winter and I think may well have a bit more to give this season. Second in the G.2 Great Voltigeur Stakes last season he will surely be aimed at some decent prizes again this season and I think he may pick-up another big purse two starting with this one. I am on at 5-2 this morning. Tyrrhenian Sea was beaten only by subsequent Dubai winner Lord North in the Winter Derby at Lingfield and with race fitness on his side is the one feared most.
Be lucky