Friday, 19th May 2023
Today is Day 3 at York’s Dante meeting….
…. which means just one race for us this afternoon – the Knights Solicitors Handicap over the 10f trip….
I sent out my betting advice for that race yesterday. If you missed that then you can access my thoughts right here….
It’s been a reasonable week so far….
…. Spirit Of Light (blocked at a crucial point in the race) hit the frame at a big price in Wednesday’s 6f handicap….
…. and then Croupier toughed it out yesterday to take the honours in the Hambleton….
I hope you managed to make something out of them. But there’s no time to rest up….
…. because there is a good bet to be had at a big price at Newbury tomorrow….
Let’s crack on….
It’s not the most appetising of weekends for punters who thrive on playing the valuable big-field handicaps....
The big races scheduled to be run this weekend are restricted to 3yos – and those kinds of races are problematic....
It’s still early in the season and these are horses with not much more than juvenile form in the book.....
And there’s another bugbear....
In many instances there’s little or no way of establishing (at least none I have managed to work out) how much individual horses might have come on from 2yo to 3yo over the winter....
Handicaps are tough tests for punters at the best of times – when you’re dealing with older horses that are more of a known quantity....
When you’re dealing with a big field of pretty-much unexposed runners, it gets that bit closer to representing a lottery....
The bottom line is that I fancy the fancied horses in the London Gold Cup at Newbury – and am happy to swerve the race….
…. and I’m not too bothered about picking one out in the 6f sprint handicap for 3yos at Newmarket….
…. but that doesn’t mean I’m not having a bet….
Handicaps are the staple fare at ATC….
…. but I’m not a total crank about these things….
…. and if I really fancy a price in one of the big Group races, I’m always happy to put one up….
Just such an instance occurs tomorrow in the G1 Lockinge (3.35) at Newbury….
…. I can’t resist having a few quid each-way on Kevin Ryan’s TRIPLE TIME at the general 33s….
He’s not been seen since getting beaten on unsuitable soft ground at Longchamp in October – and he’ll have to do it first time up….
…. but Kevin Ryan’s horses have been going well at York this week….
…. and Triple Time is one that has gone well fresh in the past….
The key thing about this bet is that I’m mindful this horse is very highly regarded at home – very highly regarded….
He was thought of as a Guineas horse last term – before a stress fracture put paid to those aspirations….
…. but he’s recovered from that now – and there’s no reason to believe that his potential is in any way diminished….
Long story short – I reckon he can outrun his big price tomorrow afternoon….
…. and with the bookies paying out on four places, I see him as a knocking good each-way punt….
The pick of the prices….To recap on my bet for tomorrow…. In the 3.35 @ Newbury….
e/w terms = You can get 1/5 the first 4 generally…. Advised prices are correct at the point of publication – but prices are subject to fluctuation. Consult Oddschecker – you may find better quotes and terms than advised…. |
That’s all for today….
I’ll be back next week….
Meantime – contact me direct at nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk
And remember – win, lose, or draw – enjoy the racing….
Stay tuned.
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