Betting: Punters’ prayers can be answered by Western Hymn in St Simon Stakes
EVEN though the Flat season doesn’t traditionally end for another two weeks, tomorrow’s action at Doncaster and Newbury represents the final whistle for many with the running of the last British Group One of the year.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien has been in unstoppable form in 2016 and will fancy his chances of landing his eighth Racing Post Trophy (3.50pm).
The wave of money in recent days for Yucatan suggests that the trainer’s 22nd Group One winner of the season isn’t far away.
However, I’m happy to leave him alone at evens with Betway, who are now offering a 100% deposit bonus up to £100 for new customers.
Instead, I’m concentrating on the St Simon Stakes (2.20pm), the feature race on Newbury’s card, where in-form John Gosden looks to have found the ideal opportunity for WESTERN HYMN.
The five-year-old has had a somewhat frustrating campaign to date, having failed to win any of his seven starts.
A string of second places at the start of the campaign is disconcerting, but narrow defeats to the likes of My Dream Boat, Cannock Chase and Time Test is well above what will be required to win here.
My selection was given a decent break after being beaten in the King George at Ascot in July and looked in need of his reappearance run at Ascot earlier this month.
He kept on well at the finish that day behind Move Up and is bound to strip a lot fitter tomorrow in a race that looks to have been the plan for some time.
It would be no surprise if Gosden also lands the Horris Hill Stakes (1.45pm) with Eaton Square.
He was unlucky at Sandown last month, but there are plenty of unexposed, lightly-raced types in this and I’m going to swerve the race.
Back at Doncaster and there are a couple of horses that I’m interested in, funnily enough both from the Roger Varian yard.
The last five winners of the Racing Post-sponsored 1m 4f handicap (3.15pm) have all been three-year-olds and I expect UAE PRINCE to continue that trend.
This son of Sea The Stars was a springer in the Derby market at the start of the season without having stepped foot on a racecourse.
He was odds-on when he was turned over at Leicester on his debut, but that form doesn’t look too bad now.
Future Group Three winner Ulysses was second, while the winner was Imperial Aviator who went on to land the London Gold Cup.
Varian decided to give him some time after that and he reappeared with a comfortable win at the same track last month.
Although he’s likely to be a better horse next year, his handicap mark of 93 could still seriously underestimate him.
The yard have bounced back to form over the past week as well and he looks to have very solid claims in this company.
Earlier on the card, I’m going to give one more chance to AMERICAN ARTIST in the opening 10 furlong handicap (1.35pm).
I tipped in him last month’s Cambridgeshire and he didn’t run too badly to finish 14th.
This is a step down in class and his two visits to Town Moor have resulted in a cosy win and a short-head defeat.
Andrea Atzeni, who rides this course so well, is on board which is a big positive.
Pointers
American Artist e/w 1.35pm Doncaster
Western Hymn 2.20pm Newbury
UAE Prince 3.15pm Doncaster