Best bets for the horseracing this weekend

It will surprise no one that Cheltenham is the main event this weekend with the ITV cameras at the course for day two of the Christmas Meeting; they will also show three races from Doncaster. I am actually not getting involved over the jumps at all and will be concentrating on the All-Weather and as I am not venturing up north I will be settled in at Triple G Towers in front of Sky Racing for the afternoon.

Best bets for the horseracing at Newcastle

With all the talk of small fields of late it has to be mentioned that Newcastle has attracted plenty of runners on Saturday up at Gosforth Park. There are a number of sprints on the eight-race card on the Tapeta on Saturday, in fact the only race not on the straight mile course is the opener the 1m4½f Always Gamble Responsibly With BetUK Handicap at 1.20. The three-three-year-olds in the field all look to have a chance in this and I am on one of them. I tipped Franberri last time out when she came from so far out the back of the field she was only just on the TV screen two out here at Newcastle over track and trip last time to finish fourth in eye-catching style; the re-opposing Quantum Cat second. I can’t imagine Jack Mitchell will leave her with as much to do today as Cameron Noble did last month and if better positioned early her finishing kick should prove too strong for this field. She won her maiden over track and trip prior to that and gets in here with just 9-2 on her back when the various allowances are taken into account (officially rated 79). By Frankel out of Altesse Imperiale she is a half-sister to several winners all of whom have been rated 90+ in their careers. There should be more to come from her this winter I am sure and I am on at 6-4 this morning. 

The mile Boost Your Acca At BetMGM EBF Novice Stakes at 1.59 is a much watch with some well-bred types making belated debuts. High Order, owned by the King, goes for team Gosden, who are in form and have been known to start some good ones off on the All-Weather. By Frankel out of Diploma (Dubawi) both his siblings have been winners. Open Secret is another with a pedigree that suggests he might turn out decent being by Cracksman out of Dubawi winning mare Pulcinella. Imperial Sovereign is another son of Frankel and the first foal out of Dubawi winning mare Imperial Charm. She is from a family that has produced lots of winners for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, including a number of Group winners, the best arguably being G.1 Queen Anne winner Triple Time, and much will be hoped for with this one. At 6-4 he is worth a punt to get off to a winning start.

At 3.44 we have the 6f Boost Your Acca At BetMGM Nursery. Moyola really caught the eye when winning over track and trip in October off a mark of 59 cruising to the front at the furlong pole and winning nicely eased towards the finish by Oisin Orr. The gelding is up 10lb in the ratings for that but clearly enjoyed the surface and the extra furlong; all his previous runs over five and on turf. Joe Leavey takes 7lb off here cancelling out most of the rise in the weights. The likes of Vitarli and Mariamne should ensure they go a far pace from the off and I think the son of Adaay can pass them all again in the final furlong. I am on at 5-1.

Be lucky