Get set - it's a proper swing-the-bat Saturday....

Friday, 18th September 2026

Get set - it’s a proper swing-the-bat Saturday….

In ATC today….

…. I bring you my best picks in the Saturday handicaps on ITV….

I’m on FINE INTERVIEW in the 3.40 at Ayr – up at 12s….

…. I’m on JUNGLE DRUMS at 18s in the 2.30 at Ayr….

…. I’m on THAT’S AMORE at 20s in the 1.20 at Ayr….

…. and I’m on THEORY OF TIDES at 18s in the 2.37 at Newbury….

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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FINE INTERVIEW has been held back for autumnal soft ground and makes a decent bet at the 12s for tomorrow’s Ayr Gold Cup (3.40)….

He won a good handicap at Doncaster on the first weekend of the season….

…. didn’t really show up at Epsom next time in June….

…. and after a 77-day break finished off better than anything at York last time behind Sondad – an outing that will have put him spot-on for this assignment….

The ground’s already riding on the softer side….

…. and with more rain forecast between now and the off, the 5yo is definitely going to get his conditions….

He stays further than 6f – which is ideal for this race….

…. and he likes a slog - which this could turn into….

James Doyle – who won this race on Louis The Pious in 2014 – has selected this lad over Stewards’ Cup winner Evening Saigon and that has to be taken as an endorsement of sorts….

I’d imagine this has been Plan A for Fine Interview this term….

…. and if connections had been able to write the script and set the scene we’d be looking at a scenario very much like the one he’s getting – and I reckon he’s a nice price….

In the Silver Cup (2.30) JUNGLE DRUMS can outrun the general 18s….

He’s another that’s been kept away from the quick ground this summer – most likely with a back-end target like this in mind….

…. and I liked his run at the end of last month at Goodwood – where he ran alone on the stands-side rail under William Carver and hit the line well….

Back in 2024 as a 2yo – when trained by Karl Burke – he won a Listed race at York on soft autumnal ground….

…. earning himself a revised mark of 101….

Whether or not that’s a true reflection of his level remains to be seen….

…. but running off just 89 tomorrow he could be one in the field whose a fair few pounds ahead of the handicapper….

Sam James was in the saddle that day at York – and he rides the horse tomorrow for this first time since….

Happenstance? Or all part of the design? Who knows – but this type of synchronicity always appeals to me….

…. and the soft ground is going to suit better than it does for much of the opposition….

I’m never afraid to take a flyer – and that’s what I’m doing in the mile handicap at Ayr (1.20)….

…. I’m backing Ralph Beckett’s THAT’S AMORE at a big 20s….

Take a look at her form card and you’ll see why she’s up at that price….

A record of just five goes in two years reveals that she’s not been straightforward….

…. she broke a pedal bone at Chester last May putting her out for a year….

…. and last time at Limerick in June – where I presume she was sent for the soft ground – she ran an absolute stinker….

But I’m mindful that when she won her maiden on heavy ground at Newbury back in October 2024 she was instantly compared to her brother Persica and talked about as a potential Oaks filly….

She wasn’t – though she ran respectably in defeat to Minnie Hauk in the Chester trial….

…. and she isn’t going to be a stakes horse on any evidence we’ve seen to date….

But on a mark of just 88, back on a deeper surface, and with Oisin Murphy stepping in for the ride….

…. she has the potential to prove way better than her big price suggests….

I’m backing THEORY OF TIDES – another Jamie Osborne horse – at the general 18s in the Dubai Duty Free at Newbury (2.47)….

Bought out of the Gosden yard in May, he’s only had two goes to date for his new connections….

He ran with a great deal of promise on stable debut at Sandown in July….

…. and then at Ascot later the same month – stepped up the 12f trip – he ran an absolute shocker….

His trainer had no explanation for the stewards on the day – but the 5yo’s not been seen since and perhaps there’s been a wrinkle to iron out at home….

Whatever, the yard’s in better shape than most right now and on 93 I reckon Theory Of Tides is very much in business in a race in which he was second last term off just 2lb lower….

He was beaten just a half-length by a course specialist that afternoon – and the pair pulled well-clear of the rest….

I think he’s up at a very generous price this morning….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for now. I’ll be back with more next week….

Contact me direct at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk

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

Stay tuned….

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