The pick of the Saturday prices....

Friday, 30th May 2025

The pick of the Saturday prices….

Epsom Derby – the Dosage angle….

In ATC today….

…. I swing the bat in all the weekend’s biggest betting heats….

I’m on HABOOBA in the 2.40 at York – he’s up at 12s….

…. and I’m on PALS BATTALION at 14s in the 1.48 at Haydock….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below….

Read on….

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I like the 12s about HABOOBA for tomorrow’s More Top Prices Handicap at York (2.40)….

…. I reckon she’s well-handicapped….

…. she beat Aramram a head at Kempton in March – and he’s rated 98 now….

Habooba has it all to prove, of course – but I’m enthusiastic about a mark of 84….

That Kempton win came 63 days ago – and she hasn’t been seen since. Match-fitness is an unknown – and that is a concern….

But – on the flip side – I’m encouraged by the choice of comeback race….

It’s a first-time stab at what I’d call a ‘proper’ handicap pot – and there’s an element of boldness about the assignment that I like….

The mark – as I say – is there to be exploited….

…. and I’m going to chance it that the yard’s got her fit enough to do justice to the plan….

She’s done almost all her racing at 6f….

…. and the drop back to the minimum might represent a problem for some pickers….

…. but not this picker – I really fancy the switch….

Habooba likes to go at it fast and make-all….

…. but she doesn’t always go through the line at 6f….

…. and I reckon her efforts might well distribute to best effect across fewer sectionals….

If I’m right – she’s rated to feature….

The other one I want to back is PALS BATTALION at 14s in the Reverence at Haydock (1.48)….

He ran a career-best on return to turf at Thirsk in early May – with good late work….

…. and he surged late again in another narrow defeat a fortnight later at Doncaster – ultimately undone by lack of early pace and a troubled passage later on….

He’s up 4lb to 89….

…. but he’s improved significantly on turf from three to four – and shapes like there’s more to come if or when things fall right….

The early pace should be more to his liking tomorrow and I think he’s a nice bet at the price….

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Now, just to recap….

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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