Friday, 1st May 2026
In ATC today….
…. I bring you my best picks in Saturday afternoon’s biggest betting heats….
I’m on THESECRETADVERSARY in the 3.35 at Newmarket – up at 25s & 20s….
…. I’m on SIR LES PATTERSON at 12s in the 1.45 at Newmarket….
…. I’m on BOTANICAL at 13/2 in the 2.20 at Newmarket….
…. and I’m on MIRSKY at 10s in the 2.40 at Thirsk….
That’s the summary….
…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….
Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below….
Read on….
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…. the 2000 Guineas – Newmarket – 3.35....
The most valuable betting heat of the day isn’t a handicap but the first classic of the new season….
…. and it appeals because there’s a lack of depth and holes can be picked in pretty much everything that lines up….
It’s a race in which a swing of the bat at an e/w price seems appropriate….
…. and I’ve landed on THESECRETADVERSARY at 25s & 20s….
There are blemishes on his record….
…. but he was second in last season’s Chesham at the Royal meeting….
…. he broke his maiden in a Listed race….
…. and he was then sent to Woodbine for the big juvenile G1 – where he was maybe a little unlucky….
He reappeared this term at Leopardstown – winning the Ballylinch Stud Red Rocks Stakes in decent style….
…. and improving on his peak RPR by 10lb….
He was a bit keen that day….
….he’s entitled to be fitter for the run….
…. and he looks every inch a colt that will improve for the step up to a mile….
He’s fit, he’s maybe a little more battle-hardened than some of the opposition, he travels, he quickens, and he’s got a bit of class….
He’s a nice long shot in an open race….
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…. the Betfred Handicap – Newmarket – 1.45....
The market says this one is a cakewalk for Double Rush….
…. he’s 2/2 at Newmarket and runs under a 5lb penalty for his easy win a fortnight back over course and distance – meaning he’s 8lb well in ahead of his revised mark kicking in….
He’ll take the beating if he turns up in the same frame of mind – but I’m never afraid of a shortie….
…. and I’m taking him on with Irish Raider SIR LES PATTERSON at the general 12s….
He’s done well in Ireland since joining trainer Stephen Thorne from Harry Eustace’s yard….
He was third in the Bold Lad at the Curragh on stable debut in September….
…. and over the winter he produced back-to-back wins across a three-month period at Dundalk….
On Good Friday he was sent to Newcastle for the valuable AW Sprint Handicap – an assignment his trainer described as ‘the grand plan’ – on an AW mark of 107….
It didn’t work out that day but he turns up here tomorrow on a turf mark of 96 – with Oisin Murphy in the saddle….
The 5yo’s drawn a blank on turf in seven goes – but placed efforts at York and the Curragh in big-field handicaps tell us he handles the surface well enough….
…. new connections paid a fair bit of money for him – which he hasn’t got close to paying back….
…. and I think he’s a potentially well-handicapped contender at a fair price….
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…. the Suffolk Stakes – Newmarket – 2.20....
The price isn’t amazing at 13/2 but I want to be on BOTANICAL….
He got free on the lead on his debut for Karl Burke in the Lincoln….
…. putting it up to the big field in spades – but not able to hold off the principal finishers late on….
I thought it was a cracking effort given that he wasn’t fully tuned
…. Karl Burke said pre- race that he’d have liked another week or two and described his charge as only ‘fairly fit’….
He’ll have come on for that effort and I’d expect him to be well primed for tomorrow’s assignment – at a track Burke’s said he thinks his horse will be suited to….
I wonder if this race was on his mind when he said it – he did win it with Liberty Lane off 101 two years ago….….
Botanical runs off an unaltered mark of 104 – which is plenty manageable – and he won’t want for stamina….
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…. the Thirsk Hunt Cup – Thirsk – 2.40....
MIRSKY ran well in this race when debuting for David O’Meara back in 2024 off a mark of 98….
Of course, plenty of water has passed under the bridge since then….
…. but we do know that the 7yo appreciates a turning mile….
…. and it was the lack of a prep race that told against him on the day….
That won’t be a problem tomorrow….
He returned at Musselburgh earlier this month having not been seen since July last year….
…. and he produced an encouraging performance – looking as good as ever – beaten just under 3l in third and likely to come on for the run….
He was dropped a pound for that to 93 – and that’s a mark he can do business from….
He’s won at the track before, the quick ground will suit, and I reckon him a player at the general 10s….
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Now, just to recap….
The pick of the prices….To recap on my bets…. In the 3.35 @ Newmarket….
e/w terms = It’s 3 places generally…. In the 1.45 @ Newmarket….
e/w terms = It’s 3 places generally…. In the 2.20 @ Newmarket….
e/w terms = It’s 4 places generally…. In the 2.40 @ Thirsk….
e/w terms = Sky Bet pay 5 places. It’s 4 places generally…. Advised prices are correct at the point of publication – but subject to fluctuation. Shop around – you may find better quotes and terms than advised…. |
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That’s all for today….
I’ll be back this evening with picks for Newmarket on Sunday….
Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk
And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….
Stay tuned….
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