Friday, 10th July 2026
>>>>> Get my picks for this afternoon….
In ATC today….
…. I bring you my best picks in the Super Saturday handicaps….
I’m on QUAI DE BETHUNE in the 3.45 at York – up at 16s & 14s….
…. I’m on BEHIKE at 7s in the 1.55 at Ascot….
…. I’m on GREAT ACCLAIM at 13/2 in the 3.25 at Newmarket….
…. I’m on THE LOST KING at 8s in the 2.39 at York….
…. and I’m on TALES OF WISDOM at 11s in the 2.52 at Newmarket….
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 John Smith’s Cup – York – 3.45....
I can’t knock the horses at the top of the betting – their recent track exploits speak for themselves….
…. but my job is not to row in behind the consensus sentiment – but to dig out one that can run big at a price….
…. and QUAI DE BETHUNE stands out at the 16s & 14s….
When Wathnan Racing paid 775,000 guineas for him shortly after he’d won the Golden Gates at Royal Ascot last year – it wasn’t because he might win a decent handicap pot….
They see him as a Group horse down the line – and the corollary to that statement is that he simply has to be well-handicapped on a mark of 100….
He’s been moved from Andrew Balding to Hamad Al Jehani, he’s been gelded, and he’s had just the one run since that Royal Ascot victory – when appearing at Epsom last month….
He moved into contention in the straight that day – but ultimately ran like he needed it and wasn’t given a hard time on the softest ground he’d encountered….
He should come on for that run, he’s back on a quick surface tomorrow, the hood goes on, and I reckon he’s a ‘live’ one at a price….
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…. the Club 26 Heritage – Ascot – 1.55....
It was a bold move for connections to supplement BEHIKE for the G1 King Charles III at Royal Ascot….
…. given that the 3yo had raced just three times in maiden and novice company….
He finished down the field that afternoon – but his very presence in the race offered a big clue about where connections think he can end up….
…. and – on that basis – a mark of 100 on handicap debut tomorrow appears more than manageable….
The Night Of Thunder colt started out over 7f, was dropped to 6f, and then dropped to 5f at Ascot….
Trainer George Scott reckons a stiff 5f – which Ascot provides – is perfect for his charge….
…. and if the team are correct in their assessment of their horse then he ought to be going close tomorrow – and the 7s is fair enough in that context….
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…. the Bunbury Cup – Newmarket – 3.25....
GREAT ACCLAIM has been knocking on the door in these top-level 7f handicaps this term….
…. finishing second in the Victoria Cup and third in the Buckingham Palace – both at Ascot….
This is a different track, of course, but he has form here too – going close in a handicap last June….
He will have to reverse places with Elarak who beat him home last time….
…. but that one was probably a little better positioned on the day and it’s not like the margin was heavily significant – and I prefer my man at the prices….
The 5yo is in top form right now and if he’s ready and willing to go again then he’s a big player – at the general 13/2 – in what looks to me like a below-average renewal….
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…. the Weatherbys – Newmarket – 2.52....
TALES OF WISDOM’S run at Royal Ascot in the Britannia is one to strike a line through in my book….
He was over on the wrong side of the track to begin with….
…. and when he missed the break he was always going to be on the back foot in a 30-runner race….
He did make some progress but the stands-side group were well on top at that point and I don’t think William Buick was too hard on him….
Prior to that he’d impressed with a win on his first go on turf at Newmarket – going clear with the runner-up in a race that’s produced a couple of subsequent winners….
He’s only had that one go in a handicap and if he gets back on track tomorrow – at a meeting his trainer does very well at – the 11s could look pretty big in hindsight….
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…. the John Smith's Racing – York – 2.39....
THE LOST KING at 8s is the bet for this….
He’s another horse that ran a stinker on the wrong side last time out at Royal Ascot….
That was over the 7f straight trip in the Buckingham Palace and I suspect that the return to mile on a galloping left-hander will suit much better tomorrow….
His best form’s been produced on the AW but he showed at Newmarket in May that he handles turf and that a mark of 96 is no bar….
He’s been in pretty good form all year whilst plenty of tomorrow’s opposition show up in no kind of form at all….
…. and he can run a big race for trainer Andrew Balding….
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Now, just to recap….
The pick of the prices….To recap on my bets…. In the 3.45 @ York….
e/w terms = It’s 6 & 5 places generally…. In the 1.55 @ Ascot….
e/w terms = It’s 5 places generally…. In the 3.25 @ Newmarket….
e/w terms = Sky Bet & Paddy Power pay 5 places. It’s 4 places generally…. In the 2.52 @ Newmarket….
e/w terms = It’s 3 places generally…. In the 2.39 @ York….
e/w terms = 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 with more next week….
Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk
And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….
Stay tuned….
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