The pick of the weekend prices....

Friday, 4th October 2024

The pick of the weekend prices….

The betting action is spread across Saturday and Sunday this weekend….

On Saturday I’m targeting the Challenge Cup at Ascot (3.35)….

…. and the British EBF Premier Fillies' Handicap at Newmarket (1.30)….

On Sunday we take a break from the handicap scene and it’s over to Paris for a crack at perhaps the most important race in the world – the Arc at Longchamp….

It’s the single-most comprehensive test of a horse on the level – in my humble opinion….

…. requiring participants to show a high-level mix of speed and stamina….

…. plus the mental fortitude and physical resolve to produce a top-drawer performance at the end of a long season in what are often demanding conditions….

If you missed me earlier in the week – you’ll find some key field-splitting stats for the Arc here….

I’ll be in your email box tomorrow morning with my pick for the Arc….

Oh, and don’t forget I’m on one at Ascot this afternoon – if you missed that then catch up here….

This morning, the focus is on those races at Ascot and Newmarket….

Let’s crack on….
 
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There’s no shortage of in-form horses turning out for tomorrow’s Challenge Cup at Ascot (3.35)….

…. the likes of Qirat, Fresh and Volterra have been found by the market….

BREWING is the one that looks overpriced to me at the general 16s – and he’s the pick….

The 5yo’s career has been a bit of a stop-start affair….

…. and the biggest proportion of his runs have been on the AW….

He looked like a horse going places when last seen in that arena at Kempton in January….

…. but he wasn’t seen again until the St Leger meeting at Doncaster last month where he ran okay from the rear in a race that developed at the front-end….

He had been entered in the Gold Cup at Ayr but didn’t take up that opportunity….

…. perhaps because the ground was too quick….

…. perhaps because his connections see his future over 7f rather than 6f….

He’s 2/2 at tomorrow’s trip and very much an unexposed proposition….

…. I think he’s going to appreciate the cut in the surface….

…. and in Hayley Turner – she has a solid record in this kind of race up the Ascot straight – he’s got the right kind of partner for the assignment….

The powerful Haggas yard has been patient with this horse, and I reckon that’s something of a signal that there’s more to come yet off his mark of 97….

…. and the generous price is there to be had….

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Earlier in the day at Newmarket – in the British EBF Premier Fillies' Handicap (1.30)….

…. I’m backing Ralph Beckett’s LA PASIONARIA at the general 14s….

The Beckett yard is holding its from better than most and this Lope De Vega filly has been held back for just this kind of autumn target on easy ground….

Whenever they return to the track off a break you’re taking full fitness on trust to some degree….

…. but I suspect this will have been the plan for her from some way out – and that they’ll have her as straight as they can get her….

She’s pretty genuine….

…. winning her maiden at Salisbury this time last year on soft ground – up against the colts – and showing a good attitude….

She’s not as exposed as some of tomorrow’s opposition, she will appreciate the ground and she’s a bit of an unknown quantity available at a price….

I’m happy to swing the bat at the 14s….

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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….

Against the Crowd