Alan Thomson’s Racing Tips: O’Brien can deliver at Donny again

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AIDAN O’BRIEN’S Saxon Warrior and Roaring Lion served up a thriller in last year’s Futurity Stakes at Doncaster and MAGNA GRECIA (4.05) can pocket this Group 1 prize for the Irish maestro.

Magna Grecia ran Andre Fabre’s much-touted Persian King to a neck in the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket a fortnight ago, the pair drawing clear in the manner of two good horses. Turgenev and Phoenix Of Spain spearhead the home challenge.

YOUNG RASCAL (2.20) has lived up to the expectations of trainer William Haggas, his only modest run coming in the Investec Derby at Epsom, and the colt is a worthy favourite to land the St Simon Stakes at Newbury.

Winner of the Chester Vase back in May, Young Rascal stepped up to the plate with a battling verdict over Mirage Dancer and Desert Encounter here last month and he can outpace John Gosden’s Weekender, dropping in trip following his third to Flag Of Honour in the Irish St Leger when set quite a bit to do from the back of the field.

The other televised Group 3 event at Newbury is the Horris Hill Stakes and FANAAR (2.50) can go one better than at Doncaster last time when denied a clear run behind Arctic Sound.

Chairmanoftheboard was the subject of some serious wagers when making a winning debut at Goodwood, scoring by eight lengths on soft ground, and any rain would be in his favour.

THECLOCKISTICKING (3.45) steps up to three miles in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle, a qualifier for the final in March.

Stuart Edmunds would have rued the rain than fell at Chepstow a fortnight ago when his gelding was a beaten favourite. Theclockisticking is at his best on a sound surface and he should get that at Prestbury Park.

ONE NIGHT IN MILAN (4.40) toyed with his rivals at Carlisle on Thursday and Keith Dalgleish has no qualms about bringing him out quickly at Kelso. The five-year-old is clearly progressive and a 7lb penalty shouldn’t prevent an action replay.

Dalgleish has interesting handicap debutante in CHANCEANOTHERFIVE (3.35) and his gelding will find this company less arduous than his last run at Perth when well beaten by Global Jackpot. Cheek-pieces are on for the first time.

Kim Bailey’s DANDY DAN (3.00) looked a thorough stayer when scoring at Bangor, so the 3m 2f trip should see him fending off I Just Know, a very creditable second to Kapgarry over hurdles at Wetherby but rated 14lb higher over fences.

LADY LONDON (2.25) squandered a winning opportunity by idling on the run-in at Perth, allowing Dan Skelton’s Ange Des Malberaux to get up close home.

Rose Dobbin’s mare should get a good tow into the race from trail-blazer King Golan, a wide-margin winner in a similar contest here last time. Bafan Blue beat Arizona Bound at Hexham and nothing separates that pair on revised terms. Arizona Bound was pulled up in Lady London’s Perth contest.

Tom Lacey comes a long way with TRIOPAS (5.15), a four-time winner over hurdles last season and back over the smaller obstacles after blundering away his chance over fences at Uttoxeter.

Recommended bets

• Doncaster 4.05 – Magna Grecia (13-8, William Hill)
• Newbury 2.20 – Young Rascal (13-8, bet365)
• Newbury 2.50 – Fanaar (7-1, Paddy Power)
• Cheltenham 3.45 – Theclockisticking (11-2, McBookie, Coral, William Hill)

Kelso tips

• 4.40 – One Night In Milan (evens, Paddy Power)
• 2.25 – Lady London (5-1, William Hill)
• 3.00 – Dandy Dan (3-1, McBookie)
• 3.35 – Chanceanotherfive (7-1, Paddy Power)
• 5.15 – Triopas (6-1, bet365)

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