Thursday, 2nd June 2022
There are three big-field handicaps to target at Epsom tomorrow….
We’ll get to those. First a reminder that both days at Epsom are World Pool days on the Tote….
That means racing fans from 20 nations will bet into one pool – creating multi-million pound liquidity….
With more punters betting into a single pool, larger stakes will impact less on on dividends – providing better-value betting opportunities for all punters….
Last year, a whopping £26 million went into the pool. Derby Winner Adayar was returned at an SP of 16s. Tote bets paid the equivalent of 20s….
The Tote offers a different option to fixed-odds betting, exchange betting and spread-betting – and is another potential source of value. It’s worth a look. Visit tote.co.uk for more details….
I signed up for a Tote account last year and I regularly get Saturday morning emails giving me free bets. They’re just for £1 – but a free placepot is a free placepot….
Andrew Balding knew he was up against it with CAROLUS MAGNUS last time at Newmarket against Roger Varian’s well-handicapped Legend of Dubai. That’s why he booked Harry Davies for the ride….
Davies took 7lbs off. But that wasn’t enough to trouble Varian’s horse – who finished 4.5 lengths and earned an 11lb rise up the ratings scale….
On the upside, the other runners were 7+ lengths behind Carolus Magnus, he improved on his seasonal debut, and he registered a new top. There is more to come from this 4yo off a mark of 90….
He’s worn a hood both times this term – but that’s removed tomorrow. And David Probert is back on. That’s a positive. I reported on the Balding record with Probert yesterday….
I considered Roger Varian’s Fantastic Fox at 10s. But Carolus Magnus is my preferred option at 12s….
Each-way backers take note: Sky Bet are 1/5 the first 6. It’s 1/5 the first 5 generally….
When I start work on a race, I do so without reference to prices. As part of the process, I like to pinpoint the horse I think will start favourite….
The easiest favourite to spot on Friday’s card was Moktasaab – favourite for this race. However you slice and dice it, the 4yo’s a worthy jolly and will take the beating….
If you wanted to back him at 7/2 – he’s 2/2 this term and progressing rapidly – I wouldn’t call the police. But I won’t be following you in. My job is to dig out a dark horse the market is overlooking….
THE CITY’S PHANTOM fits the bill for me at the general 11s….
He goes well fresh and at Yarmouth – as he proved again in April on seasonal debut. But now he’s up to 92, it’s time to show that he doesn’t always need a stacked deck….
After a winning start last term his form tailed off – but not before he’d produced a decent run at the second time of asking in the first week of June….
His trainer Richard Spencer is running him along a similar schedule – date-wise at least – this term and he’ll be well-primed to run a big race on just his second go at a real serious pot….
He probably wasn’t ready for the test last time he tried – at Newbury back in 2020 – and ran out of steam. But he should be ready now. Hollie Doyle got the ride that day. She’s back tomorrow for the first time since….
Unfinished business? Who knows? But this horse is yet to have his day in the sun – unlike plenty of the opposition. And – at the price – I’m happy to swing the bat at him….
Each-way backers take note: Betway and Sky Bet are 1/5 the first 5. It’s 1/5 the first 4 generally….
I’m in the Hollie Doyle camp again in the 7f handicap that brings the curtain down on tomorrow’s card at 5.45….
She rides TOP SECRET for William Muir and Chris Grassick and that one’s plenty backable at 10s off a mark of 88….
The 5yo is probably unlucky (depending on how you look at these things) to still be rated in the 80s….
He certainly wouldn’t be if he had a longer nose. He’s been beaten that distance twice over a mile. That’s what happened on seasonal debut at Newbury last month….
Top Secret probably does get a mile and can win at that trip. But tomorrow he drops back to 7f….
Perhaps the plan is to give him a much more aggressive ride over the shorter trip. He made all at Ascot over 7f last September under Nicola Currie and it could Doyle is tasked with the same forcing tactics….
However connections choose to do it, this one is well-handicapped and very much up to this level….
Each-way backers take note: Sky Bet are 1/5 the first 6. It’s 1/5 the first 5 generally….
Nick’s Dark Horses….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 World Pool Handicap (2.35 @ Epsom)….
In the Cazoo Handicap (3.45 @ Epsom)….
In the Cazoo Derby Festival Handicap (5.45 @ Epsom)….
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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