We normally post our lucky 15 bets on Saturday and Sunday, but given it's the AW Championships final day at Newcastle on Friday, we thought we would offer one for tomorrow instead of Sunday.
Billecart 9/4 – Newcastle 1:15
I wasn't planning on getting involved in the opener, but after watching a few replays of some of the runners, I thought Billecart was a solid enough play at 9/4.
Don't get me wrong, this is wide open, but I thought Billecart looked a potentially smart sort for trainer Karl Burke. I am a massive fan of Karl Burkes; he tends to do well with his string of horses, and his yard normally runs to a consistent level. He has had 2 winners from his last 13 runners, but has had plenty run with credit and only to lose by small margins.
His runner Billecart was first seen on debut at Newmarket when running a creditable fourth as a two-year-old and took a massive step forward this term when getting off the mark last month at this very same venue. Billecart was sent off a strong 1/6 favourite on that occasion, but he could hardly have done it any easier as he scooted clear to win by 5L in the end. This is a big step up in class, but he holds a 2000 Guineas entry, and he must be held in some regard.
Silent Strike 10/3 – Newcastle 1:50
It may be a bit boring, but I am going with another favourite, and it comes in the shape of the Andrew Balding-trained Silent Strike, who will be ridden by the bang-in-form Oisin Murphy, who at present is operating at around 3o% SR.
Notably, Andrew Balding has won the last two runnings of this contest, and he seemingly holds a strong hand once more with Silent Strike, who looks to hold strong claims of landing his trainer a hat trick of wins in this race.
I think Silent Strike has progressed well this year, with recent form figures of 212. He wasn't given the greatest of rides last time by Callum Rodriguez ( pitched too far back ), but did stay on strongly to go down by only half a length. He is very much unexposed, and with Oisin taking over in the saddle, I can see him being bang there at the finish.
Blue RC 11/2 – Newcastle 3:00
This race is a cracker on paper, but it's probably not the sort of race you would want to have a bet in, as you can make claims for plenty. With that said, I couldn't get away from the James Tate-trained Blue RC. I've backed this horse personally on numerous occasions, and he has won me more money than lost.
My selection hasn't been seen since New Year's Day, which saw him win quite cosily at Southwell over 1m. I thought that particular run was very good; he won in good style when seeing off the challenge from the 100-rated Two Tempting, and also deposed of the reopposing Pop Master without any issues.
Strangely enough, the money has poured in for the Gosden-trained Chancellor, who is now as short as 5/2, having been as big as 4/1 earlier on in the day.
Gaucher 3/1 – Newcastle 16:10
The ranting and raving for this race seems to revolve around Regal Ulixes, and I do understand why, as he 2 from 3 at this trip and is a horse on the up. He also has Oisin on board and is trained by Andrew Balding, who is bang in form.
All that aside, I have to give a chance to the Willie Mullins charge Gaucher, who was previously known as a hurdler but has since gone down the flat route and hasn't looked back. He has won his last two outings over both 1m2 and 1m4, and he seemimgly stays the trip very well. Both of those wins came at Dundalk, which is a venue I despise personally, but he did so quite easily on both occasions and looks to be a horse with plenty more to offer.
This contest is a lot tougher than what he ran against back in Ireland, but as we all know, Willie is no mug, and he wouldn't send him over if he didn't believe he was in with a shout. Willie has booked young Billy Loughnane for the ride, and I'll be looking forward to seeing how he plans on riding him, as I think this could become quite tactical.
GambleAware