Racing tips: Top-rated Sacred Bridge is the one they all have to beat at Naas

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Ayr Poet ran a decent enough race back in third yesterday considering he tried making the running. He was one of the first off the bridle, was headed but then found a second wind to run on again, so he ran a good race in defeat, obviously that doesn't give us a profit, but it's a positive if you want to get involved with him next time.

Sandown 8:08

A four runner race, but a fascinating race nonetheless with four horses arriving in good form and potentially all ahead of their handicap marks. The one I think is the most ahead of handicapper is the William Haggas trained FRANTANCK who is extremely well bred, being by Frankel out of a 90 rated Mare who produced Awesometank who was a talented runner for William Haggas a couple of years ago, and is a half-sibling to Frantanck.

Unlike Awesometank, Frantanck should excel at this kind of distance and probably further, with the pedigree side of Frankel who consistently produces horses who stay well. With just three runs to his name he is extremely unexposed, whereas some of the others, though are unexposed, we know a lot more about them, with the likes of Maytree Respite probably topping that list. I actually rate his win over Miramichi last time out, but I don't think it makes him of major interest against the lighter raced types.

Dal Mallart has made mincemeat of her starting handicap mark of 65, now rated 79. She hasn't gone unbeaten since moving into handicap company, which goes to show she is vulnerable to a big improver, and I think that is the case today.

The form of Frantanck's win looks decent, especially with the fourth horse now being rated 90 and has won twice since. I also think his most recent run was a good effort behind two Godolphin horses, with one winning since and the other running a decent run in third, and was probably behind a couple of nice horses.

Naas 6:30

Sometimes it's best to just back the best horse in the race on official ratings, as they are statistically the best horse in the race according to the handicapper. Though we see on many occasions every day, this isn't a profitable method to follow, especially in handicaps, but in Class 1 races I think it can work, and SACRED BRIDGE looks clear at the weights today.

Ger Lyons' 3yo filly has the best form on offer in this race, and I don't think it's close. The win at Cork in a Class 1 Listed race over 5.5f has been franked recently with the runner-up winning a Group 2 on the weekend just gone, and was also a horse who was well-fancied for a Royal Ascot handicap.

Sacred Bridge was a tad disappointing in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, but that was a decent race with Perfect Power winning it in good style, and he had many good horses in behind. She was a bit keen that day, and combined with the step up in grade, it was always going to be a tough ask. However, Ger Lyons has a terrible record when sending his horses across the Irish Sea, with a SR of 7% with 2 wins from 28 runners in the last five years, so it's not a surprise to see his runner running below par at Royal Ascot. However, this race is much easier, with not one rival being rated above 100, and now the blinkers are applied, which should help her settle and bring out further improvement.

Leicester 7:55

EPONINA is a name I'm sure a few of you will be familiar with, and I hope so, as she is a horse who has produced a couple of winners for me during my time of posting tips on here. She is a horse who I have plenty of time for, and that's because you know what you're going to get form her, and she tries her hardest every single time.

At the age of 8, a mark of 71 isn't guaranteed a free win for Eponina, but that mark with Freddie Larson's 5lb claim makes her of interest still, especially when you consider she won off a mark of 69 three runs ago for today's jockey. The two runs after that win can be excused as they were over a trip which is probably too far for her now at this point in her career, with them being over 1m and slightly further. She is a front-running mare who makes it terribly hard for the opposition to get past, and she doesn't quite have the stamina for further, so today's drop back in trip will definitely help her chances.

Leicester has been a good playing ground for Eponina winning three times from nine runs at the venue.

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