The pick of the Saturday prices….

Friday, 30th August 2024

The pick of the Saturday prices….

There’s a big-field handicap up at Chester tomorrow….

…. but the draw plays such a big part in the outcome at that track….

…. and I don’t really fancy anything strong at the prices….

…. so I’m having just the one bet….

…. over in Ireland at the Curragh….

…. where a field of 24 turns out for the Irish Cambridgeshire over the straight mile….

Without further ado….

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In the Irish Cambridgeshire – 4.35….

William Haggas never really got much of a tune out of SEA EAGLE when he had charge of him….

If the horse wasn’t running keen then he was slow into stride….

…. a gelding procedure didn’t work any magic….

…. and the horse eventually left Haggas to take up with Gerard O’Leary in Ireland….

O’Leary has succeeded in getting Sea Eagle to switch off – and it’s improved him….

Progress wasn’t exactly consistent in the early part of this season….

…. but his last time out performance at Roscommon just 10 days ago – on the back of a 78-day lay-off – represented a big step forward….

It was only a £7k race but it looked competitive enough beforehand and Sea Eagle won it easy – with loads in hand….

It was Shane Foley’s first ride on the horse – he’s on again tomorrow – and this looks like a bit of a plan to me….

The 4yo gets into the race courtesy of a 7lb penalty and he looks very well handicapped on the Roscommon performance….

…. where he was eased down in the closing stages and had them well strung out at the post….

The pace tomorrow is almost guaranteed to be very strong….

…. and on a track where the hold-up horses tend to go well….

…. Sea Eagle’s stamina – he gets 10f – will be a factor in the later stages….

I think he’s a fair punt at the 16s….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back in your inbox next week….

Meantime – contact me direct at nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Nick Pullen

Against the Crowd