Map Of Stars 5/1 – Deauville 4.00
6/4 for Cualificar is a little short, but when you finish behind Calandagan, you're always going to be fancied in the market.
Map Of Stars has always been a horse I've liked, but when I've backed him, he has never delivered the goods. Last time out at Royal Ascot, he showcased his talents when he was dropped in class. The winning margin was only 0.5 lengths, but when you see the position he came from and how easily he did it in the end, it was a very good performance.
At 5/1, I thought he was a good bet as long as James Doyle gives him every chance to win.
Aramram 17/2 – Ripon 3.25
The sprinting division in the UK is on its knees, so it's probably not the wisest choice going with the class angle in this race, but when you look at the drop in class, surely Aramram can do damage.
He's shouldering a very big weight in a prestigious sprint, but he has been running in Class 1 races, and apart from the Group 1, he has done well.
He was a Listed winner at the start of the season. After that, he was second in a Group 3 and then fifth in a Group 2. He's clearly got plenty of ability, and back in a handicap he could be dangerous to ignore at 9st 12lbs.
Never So Brave 3/1 – Newbury 3.10
The price for Never So Brave for this race is due to his form not being as good as last year, but when you look at his form last year, if the real Never So Brave turns up, 3/1 is a steal.
This isn't the calibre of race that Never So Brave would be 3/1 for last year. I don't think this is a particularly strong Group 2, and if he was good enough to beat Lake Forrest in a Group 1 last year, he has to be getting my vote in this.
Masterinthewoods 5/2 – Newbury 4.20
Emma Lavelle is a trainer who goes under the radar with her flat runners, but she knows what she is doing. Masterinthewoods hasn't won on his last two starts, but he has put in career best performances on both occasions.
I am a big fan of when a horse's ratings go up each run, and that is what has happened with Masterinthewoods. His RPRs for 2026 read: 76, 83, 85 and 88. The handicapper is increasing his rating with every run, which makes life more difficult, but if he can put in another career-best performance, he should be going close at the very least.
GambleAware