Friday, 13th May 2022
Today is Day 3 of York’s Dante meeting – but we’re already ahead of the game here on ATC….
I always go out with my picks 24-hours ahead of time – in an effort to beat the market to the punch and to try and bag the best of the prices about my selections….
I sent out my advice for Day 3 of the meeting yesterday. If you missed it, you’ll find it here. Today the focus is on tomorrow’s big handicap….
A field of 13 go to post for the London Gold Cup at Newbury at 2.45 – a contest for 3yos over the 10f trip that is worth watching and studying closely because it often produces slow-burning Group-class middle-distance horses….
Onwards and upwards….
There’s not much to go on with plenty of these youngsters – several of which are stepping up to the 10f trip for the first time….
I’m inclined to swing the bat and back the rag of the field LA PULGA – who can be backed easily at 20s, 22s and 25s this morning – a nice each-way price….
He’s got a lot to prove on the face of it based on his seasonal debut at Sandown – where he was 7th of the 10 and beaten more than 9-lengths….
But that was over a mile and he was well out the back in a race where they went pretty hard early doors – behind one ridden aggressively from the front by hold-up specialist Jamie Spencer of all people….
La Pulga never really got into it but did show a bit late on – enough to suggest this longer trip might suit – and he wasn’t given too hard a time by Richard Kingscote in the really late stages of the race. My read is that there’s likely more to come….
His price says he’s a complete no-hoper. But I wouldn’t be so sure of that. The Charlton yard has won this race four times in the past with some very good horses – Al Kazeem, Time Test, Imperial Aviator and Headman – and isn’t in the habit of throwing in also rans….
For my money – at the prices – La Pulga is well worth an each-way punt….
Each-way backers take note: Sky Bet are 1/5 the first 5. It’s 1/5 the first 4 generally….
Nick’s Dark Horse….To recap on my idea of the dark horses capable of running big races at tasty prices in the big handicaps tomorrow afternoon…. In the London Gold Cup (2.45 @ Newbury)….
Advised prices are correct at the time my column is submitted for publication. But prices are subject to fluctuation. There’s nothing I can do about that. Be sure to consult Oddschecker – you may find a quote better than advised…. |
That’s all for today. Back next time. Meanwhile….
Anything to report? Anything to say? Anything to share? Contact me at: nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk
Stay tuned.
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