Richard Hannon: “Surely Classic winner Billesdon Brook is worth a small bet at 18/1”

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3:10 Challenge Cup

Qaysar (Pat Dobbs)

He’s been a real star for us this season and has improved 15lbs since winning at Newbury in August which does mean he’s off a career high mark here, but he’s in a rich vein of form so I’m hopeful there’s enough left in the tank to pick up this valuable prize. Ground-wise he’s versatile and he didn’t disgrace himself in the Victoria Cup (over 7f) at the track in May so I’m pretty bullish he can put up a bold show!

 

4:15 Listed

Red Starlight (Pat Dobbs)

She’s yet to win this season but has put up some decent displays in defeat and goes well at the track, including second in this race last year. Any rain will help her chances and if she gets some luck she could easily finish in the money.

 

NEWMARKET

 

2:15 Auction Stakes

D Day (Kieran O’Neill)

He found the ground much too lively at Doncaster last time as it was very quick out there so I’m happy to ignore that and he’ll be much happier on the softer ground here. He gets further but there will be lots of pace on which will be in his favour and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him put that last run behind him.

Acquire (Thore Hammer-Hansen)

There is no doubt she’s shown very little in both runs to date and it’s quite obvious she needs to improve plenty to figure and she’s a big price for a reason.

 

2:50 Novice Stakes

Man Of The Night (Sean Levey)

This looks a decent little Novice but he ran very well in the Haynes, Hanson & Clark at Newbury last time, when giving weight to the winner, and that is always a good race. We’ve always thought a great deal of this colt and I’ll be disappointed if he isn’t capable of troubling the judge.

Fly Falcon (Kieran O’Neill)

He’s a half brother to Highgarden who is a smart horse of John Gosden’s and this colt has done everything we’ve asked of at home. But this is a very stiff introduction and he’ll definitely come on for the run.

 

3:25 G1 Sun Chariot Stakes

Billesdon Brook (Sean Levey)

She’s enjoyed a good season and it was a great day when she won at Goodwood last time as it was a brave decision by her owners to keep her in training as they could have easily retired her to the paddocks but thankfully their faith was rewarded. Let’s not forget she’s a Classic winner and, at 18/1 with Unibet, she’d have to be worth a small bet wouldn’t she? Her form is there for all to see but since we switched her to Everleigh she’s really thrived and I hope she can run a huge race.

 

5:10 Fillies’ Handicap

Canton Queen (Tom Queally)

She certainly deserves to get her head back in front as she’s posted some very good efforts in defeat this season. The drop back down to seven furlongs will suit but she doesn’t look that well treated on what she’s actually achieved and I’d also be slightly concerned about the ground.

 

WOLVERHAMPTON

 

5:30 Handicap

Bader (John Fahey)

His sole win came in first time blinkers but he’s come down to his lowest ever mark and this is his trip. He works well on our All Weather gallop and I think he’s happier on these type of surfaces so with a bit of luck he can put up a decent show.

 

6:00 Nursery

Hermano Bello (Mark Crehan)

He got the job done last time in first time blinkers and his first start in a Handicap but he’s now gone up to 63 but Mark’s 7lbs claim eradicates that so in theory he’s 2lbs ‘well in’. He obviously likes the All Weather and has every chance.

Lexington Quest (John Fahey)

We got him gelded and that didn’t work, so we tried cheekpieces and that didn’t work, so now we’re opting for the blinkers….

This is a race full of dodgepots therefore I would be a complete fool to tip him to win.

 

 

The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

It’s the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe this weekend and I have to admit the Arc looks an absolute corker.

Obviously Enable is the one to catch and it’s hard to see her getting beaten but Magical is very consistent and looked good in the Irish Champion Stakes so she could certainly put it up to the favourite. I see that Unibet are offering betting without Enable, in which case 11/2 looks a good price to finish second to the fav.