Saturday, 9th July 2022
Super Saturday dawned cool and clear – the calm before the storm….
There’s a ton of action up and down the country today – with Group and Listed races at Newmarket, York, Ascot, and Chester….
But it’s the big-field C2 handicaps…. the ‘impossible’ races…. the toughest betting puzzles on the programme…. on which this masochistic column chooses to focus….
We get a golden hour to savour this afternoon – with the Betfred Heritage, the Bunbury Cup, and the John Smith’s Cup all due to be settled between 3.00 and just after 4.05….
Let’s get down to business….
The Jorvik Handicap – run at York’s May meeting over the 12f trip – is working out okay….
Winner Gaassee went close in the Old Newton Cup last weekend off a 7lb higher mark and would have been closer still but for meeting trouble in running on his route from the rear of the field….
Yesterday the runner-up Forza Orta did his bit for the form when toughing it out to land a C3 handicap back at York….
Sir Michael Stoute’s JUST FINE gave away plenty of ground at the start of the Jorvik on seasonal debut – but still managed to finish 3rd whilst giving the impression that he didn’t quite see the 12f trip out….
At Royal Ascot in the Duke of Edinburgh – where he finished 8th of the 18 and beaten 10+ lengths – he again gave the impression that 12f is a little beyond his scope right now….
I think the drop back to 10f will suit this afternoon, he likes the track, and off 96 I think he’s got claims at the general 12s this morning….
Each-way backers take note: William Hill and Sky Bet are 1/5 the first 7. Betfair Sportsbook, Paddy Power, Betfred & Boylesports are 1/5 the first 6….
THE ATTORNEY has been going well for Charlie Hills this term but it’s a bit of form from the tail end of last term that catches the eye – a neck defeat to Jumby on the other Newmarket track….
They meet on similar terms this afternoon and Jumby is plenty fancied having placed in the Wokingham last time out. But whilst Jumby is 7s, The Attorney is almost three times the price at 20s – and that’s big enough to tempt me in….
He’s proved he handles the track – albeit in a small field race – and as I say he’s in good form and can run a bigger race than the prices suggest from his starting berth in stall 2….
I want to be two-against-the-field in this one and my other pick ROPEY GUEST starts on the other side of the draw in stall 17….
To say he’s been tricky to win with would be an understatement. He’s registered just a single win from 27 goes on turf….
But that doesn’t tell the full story. He’s gone close in these big field handicaps on a few occasions – most recently in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot where he was 2nd of the 29 and beaten just a length. Back in May he was 5th of 27 in the Victoria Cup – again at Ascot….
He ran well – despite finishing 8th – in this race last term. That was off 98. He runs off 93 this afternoon. And with quality 5lb claimer Callum Hutchinson booked for the assignment, he’s rated and weighted to go very close if he puts his best foot froward….
‘If’ is a big word of course – especially in these kinds of races – but at the 16s & 14s I’m happy to swing the bat….
Each-way backers take note: William Hill, Sky Bet, Betfair Sportsbook, Paddy Power & Betway are 1/5 the first 6.
An open handicap winner at Musselburgh in first time cheekpieces in mid-April and not disgraced in a G3 a fortnight later, ZARZYNI heads the weights on a mark of 104 and looks like he’s been targeted at this race….
Those two performances were back-to-back career-bests, the headgear has improved him and the straight 5f is what he wants. Laura Pearson is booked to take off a handy 3lbs. The 11s is fair….
Again, I want to be two-against-the-field and LOVELY MANA is the second pick….
She’s another horse improving from run-to-run and the general 10s is no bad price about her improving again and landing a nice pot for George Boughey….
Her mark of 95 is a career-high. But it’s well-earned and after her most recent win at Sandown William Buick told connections she could be a stakes horse….
He’s ridden enough of them to know. And – if he’s right – there is more to come yet. She will certainly appreciate quick ground – and Saffie Osborne taking off 3lbs won’t do any harm….
Each-way backers take note: William Hill and Sky Bet are 1/5 the first 7. Betway 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 this afternoon…. In the John Smith’s Cup (4.05 @ York)….
In the Bunbury Cup (3.50 @ Newmarket)….
In the Betfred Heritage (3.00 @ Ascot)….
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 – enjoy the racing. It’s not life and death – it’s a game we play for fun. It’s good sometimes to remind ourselves of that fact….
Stay tuned.
Operated by Spa Publishing Group Ltd (Company No. 15830286) 
