Hannon’s charge Paleo looks best bet in an action-packed weekend
JOHN GOSDEN has won the last two runnings of the Cambridgeshire (Pipedreamer ‘07 and Tazeez ’08) and is represented by our old friend Charm School tomorrow. Regular readers of this column will know that the horse in question has let us down twice already this season and is proving expensive to follow. Therefore, although the strong pace will suit, I’m convinced he needs more rain and a little further, so will be leaving him alone.
The one who interests me most is Irish raider SALUTE HIM who can go very close for Richard Hughes. Tony Martin’s runner was last seen when flying home at the death in the Wolferton Handicap at the Royal meeting and he has only gone up 3lbs for that run. He loves decent ground, has been kept fresh for this race and looks a real decent each-way bet at around 12/1.
Elsewhere on Newmarket’s card and LILLIE LANGTRY looks a class above her rivals in the opener at 1.50pm and is banker material, while John Gosden’s newcomer Meezaan is held in high regard and should go well at a decent price in the next on his debut. However, the best bet of the day looks to be Richard Hannon’s PALEO in the fillies nursey at 4.15pm. She isn’t too harshly treated on her maiden win and looks a real decent punting proposition.
ANTONIOLA will relish the step up to seven furlongs in Redcar’s opening contest tomorrow, while Richard Hannon’s Angel’s Pursuit will be pretty hard to beat in the Two-year-old Trophy at 3.15pm.
Looking at today’s action and Sir Michael Stoute’s CONFRONT continues on an upward curve and can land the hat-trick in Newmarket’s Nayef Joel Stakes. Connections were apparently contemplating a tilt at a Group One at Longchamp this weekend, but this looks a lot easier. On the same card, Lady Of The Desert will take some beating in the Cheveley Park Stakes, but I prefer French raider SPECIAL DUTY at 11/4 with Boylesports. Showcasing looks to be the answer in the Middle Park Stakes and can build on his latest impressive win at York.
It’s great to see Nicky Vaughan back in racing after departing Michael Owen’s Manor House Stables in July. I wish him the best of luck with his new operation. He’s a very talented trainer and spent over 15 years working at John Gosden’s, learning from the very best. His first runner back, Supercast (8.20pm, tonight, Wolverhampton), is not without a chance either.
Sea The Stars is almost impossible to oppose in Sunday’s Arc and the best bet may be to back VISION D’ETAT, pictured left, at 8/1 without John Oxx’s stable star. He wasn’t far away last year and looks sure to go close again.
POINTERS…
CONFRONT 1.55pm Newmarket (Today)
SPECIAL DUTY 2.30pm Newmarket (Today)
LILLIE LANGTRY 1.50pm Newmarket (Sat)
ANTONIOLA 2.10pm Redcar (Sat)
SALUTE HIM E/W 3.40pm Newmarket (Sat)
PALEO E/W 4.15pm Newmarket (Sat)
VISION D’ETAT W/O FAV 3.15pm Longchamp(Sun)