Yesterday’s Review
1pt e/way Dan Attack (102) – A disappointing performance from the selection on the clock compared to his previous stronger efforts. He raced in touch of the leaders and looked to be coming with an effort to chase the leader in the home straight. He was hampered by that rival but still couldn’t find an extra gear at the business end of the race weakening into fourth place beaten two lengths. Paddy Power and Skybet backers were paid the each way money but this will go down as a loser on this account.
Today’s Advice
No Investments
Nothing strong enough at the right price for me today, but there are a few races of interest for the weekend that have been priced up already.
FRIDAY
SAYTARR (8f 5y Hcap) – The (7.30) Newcastle sees the return of this improving four-year-old for the James Horton stable following two impressive wins at Southwell over 7f and 8f. The handicapper has put him up 10lbs for those wins but he is still only rated in the low 80s for this contest. It will be his course debut although his sire Mehmas is close to a 10% strike rate at this venue (37-376) the past six years and although he is put in as the favourite I will stick with him until he is beaten.
HAVANA PRINCE (7f 14y Hcap) – This five-year-old ran an eyecatching race on seasonal debut last time out over an inadequate 6f when taking the bronze medal in behind Grant Wood just over two weeks ago. He raced prominently on that occasion and although weakening towards the finish he was beaten just over 3 lengths at the line. The (108) timefigure was very strong and considering all his most recent victories have come over 7f and a mile he should enjoy the step up in trip for the (8.00) Newcastle. He finished runner-up last season from a 2lb higher mark and as a previous course winner he ticks plenty of boxes for an outsider. There is the worry of the second run after a break but at the prices on offer he looks worth an interest.
SPORTS COACH (5f Hcap) – The (8.30) Newcastle is an interesting contest for us as this likeable five-year-old attempts to follow up his recent win at Southwell. He did us a favour on that occasion as he came through from the rear to lead inside the final furlong before coming home just over a length clear at the line. The handicapper has only raised him 4lbs for that win and considering he recorded a (111) timefigure when successful over this course and distance at the back end of 2023 and started his handicap career from a 7lb higher mark there should be plenty of room left for improvement. Jockey Cam Hardie is back on board again and he is another one we should be sticking with until beaten.
SATURDAY
COMMISSIONER KING (8f Gp2 Godolphin Mile) – The selection showed us what he can really do last time out when making all from stall 10 to win by 4 lengths from The Camden Colt in a Group 3 race over course and distance. Jocky Tadhg O’Shea keeps the faith with the selection despite five other entries from the stable and he will be delighted having drawn stall one at a track where the inside lane can be extremely beneficial. I awarded him a (115) timefigure last time out and although he has been put in as the favourite for the (12.20) Meydan he looks worth a sporting interest to make all the running once again.
FORT GEORGE (9f Gp1 Dubai Turf) – Last season’s Group 1 Juddmonte Stakes winner Ombudsman makes his seasonal reappearance in the (3.35) Meydan and the Charlie Appleby trained five-year-old looks to have a few pounds up his sleeve according to the handicapper. However, I will happily let him win at odds-on and it will be interesting to see how fit he is for this race considering he was beaten as a short price favourite first time out last season. The selection has been a revelation in Dubai this season for trainer Ed Walker having improved 11lbs already according to the handicapper. He got his just rewards for some cracking performances when getting the better of Arabian Light over 10f in the Dubai Millennium Group 3 stakes back in January having raced prominently when recording a (111) timefigure. But it was his performance last time out over 12f that really impressed when giving the globe-trotting superstar Rebel’s Romance a bit of a scare.
He raced in touch of the leaders on that occasion and went clear with the winner over two furlong from home before weakening inside the final furlong to go down by just over a length. A (117) timefigure shows that the son of Territories is a genuine Group race contender now. The drop back in distance should suit better and it looks like the books have underestimated his chance slightly looking at the prices on offer.
FRIDAY
1pt win Saytarr (3/1 William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral) 7.30 Newcastle
0.75pt e/way Havana Prince (20/1 Paddy Power, Skybet, Boylseports, BetMGM 4 places) 8.00 Newcastle
1.5pts win Sports Coach (9/2 William Hill, 4/1 general) 8.30 Newcastle
SATURDAY
2pts win Commissioner King (2/1 general) 12.20 Meydan
1pt e/way Fort George (16/1 William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral) 3.35 Meydan