Thursday, 3rd July 2025
Gun-to-head angle for Newmarket….
In ATC today….
…. I swing the bat in Saturday’s biggest betting heats….
I’m on PADDY THE SQUIRE in the 3.15 at Haydock – he’s up at 10s & 9s ….
…. I’m on AMMES at 8s & 7s in the 2.05 at Haydock….
…. and I’m on CLASSIC at 7s in the 2.25 at Sandown….
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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PADDY THE SQUIRE at 10s & 9s is the bet for the Old Newton Cup at Haydock (3.15)….
He’s an improved horse this term – owing to a close-season gelding procedure….
…. winning a nice race at Chester first-time up off a long break….
…. before hitting the frame at York behind two well-fancied rivals – whose next stop looks likely to be the prestigious John Smith’s Cup at the same track next weekend….
Paddy The Squire could have gone that way too….
…. but his best work was being done at the end of the 10f trip that last time….
…. and he steps up to 12f tomorrow – a trip at which he’s unexposed and potentially progressive….
And he does stay 12f….
…. he proved that on his one go at the trip – on ground with cut – in the 2023 edition of the Silver Bell at Hamilton….
…. off the same mark as he runs off this weekend….
On quicker ground….
…. reported to have helped him at Chester….
…. I reckon he’s a player at a decent price under Andrew Mullen….
AMMES at 7s is the pick for the bet365 Handicap at Haydock (2.05)….
It’s definitely not easy to win a King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot from the front….
…. but James Owen’s charge – totally unfancied – gave it a good go last month under a typical gung-ho Silvestre De Sousa ride….
He got beaten – finishing 6/19 and 5.25 lengths in arrears….
…. but I was encouraged by how he kept to his work late on off the strong pace he’d cut out for the rest….
Serious Contender stood the form up in last weekend’s Irish Derby….
…. and I suspect connections learnt something from that Ascot run….
The adjustments being made interest me….
They’re stepping him up to the 14f trip – which could well see him to better effect….
…. especially if new jockey Jason Hart offers a bit more consideration early doors than De Sousa did….
And they’re removing cheekpieces – which might not have produced the effect intended….
CLASSIC at the general 7s is the pick for the Coral Challenge (2.25)….
He might be without a win since July 2023 – but he’s showed all the right kind of signs in three runs since being gelded at the back end of last season….
He ran well on seasonal debut at Newbury in May….
…. and his second last month behind Urban Lion was just the latest illustration of how well he can go at Sandown when he gets quick ground….
He was slow away that afternoon – having been sent off favourite under Ryan Moore – and just bumped into one he was no match for late on….
…. but he remains nicely handicapped on a mark of 87 – and he’s entitled to go very close if he runs his race….
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Now, just to recap….
The pick of the prices….To recap on my bets…. In the 3.15 @ Haydock….
e/w terms = Sky Bet pay 6 places. It’s 5 places generally…. In the 2.05 @ Haydock….
e/w terms = Sky Bet pay 4 places. It’s 3 places generally…. In the 2.25 @ Sandown….
e/w terms = Sky Bet pay 5 places. It’s 4 places generally…. Advised prices are correct at the point of publication – but subject to fluctuation. Shop around – you may find better quotes and terms than advised…. |
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That’s all for today….
I’ll be back with more next week – when I’ll be focused on Newmarket’s July meeting and all the big handicaps on ‘Super Saturday’….
Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk
And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….
Stay tuned….
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