There is plenty of racing on offer this Saturday, and as usual, it’s as competitive as ever.
Rizz reached out to me earlier, and I offered to cover the Lucky 15 thread, fingers crossed I can find some winning selections.
Hardy’s Hero 13/8 – Lingfield 3.50
For my first selection, I’ve decided to take the William Haggas trained Hardy’s Hero.
Hardy’s Hero isn’t the most exciting of prices at 13/8, but if he comes on for the most recent run, which he should do, then he looks the one to be on in this contest with Tom Marquand doing the steering.
The Haggas yard has started to get in the groove of late, operating at a healthy 29% SR. His runners have tended to come on for a recent run, and I’m confident enough that Hardy’s Hero will fall into that category.
I thought there was a lot to like about his comeback run at Newmarket last month, which saw my selection go down by a neck. There should be more to come this time around.
Sintra 3/1 – Ascot 3.30
Another horse that I’m quietly confident in is the Andrew Balding trained Sintra.
My selection races of an opening mark of 75 for this race, which I think could be highly underestimating his potential ability.
The form of his third at Yarmouth reads particularly well. Sintra didn’t finish all that far behind Del Maro ( now rated 101 ) and the Gosden trained Point Of Law, who also looks a promising sort going forward this season.
With a recent run under the belt, there’s every reason to believe my selection could make a mockery of an opening mark of 75.
Isaac Newton 7/2 – Lingfield 1.58
Taking on the Charlie Appleby trained Maho Bay may be a mistake waiting to happen, and if it comes back to bite me, I’ll not be surprised, but at the prices, I had to give Isaac Newton a chance.
Similar to last season, some of Aiden O’Brien’s runners have needed a run before getting into full throttle, and I think Isaac Newton is another who could come on bundles for a recent outing.
He was last seen finishing fourth in a Listed contest at Newmarket last month. It wasn’t a total disaster of a run, but he did look a bit rusty and shaped as though he would come on for it.
This contest represents a step up in trip, which, if going off pedigree, he should be better over further. 7/2 looks a decent bet in my opinion with jockey Ryan Moore in the saddle.
Salkadan 7/2 – Haydock 2.30
Trainer Dan Skelton isn’t exactly known for his exploits in the world of flat racing, but I was interested in his runner Salkadan.
This is low-grade stuff, but the current favourite is hardly bulletproof, and I’d be more than happy to take it on with Salkadan, who at the prices looks an interesting alternative.
My selection didn’t show much over 6f/7f, but a recent step up in trip saw him in much better light, finishing second in a class 6 handicap at Kempton over 1m4. The switch from the AW to turf shouldn’t be an issue, and with further progress a possibility, I think he has as much chance as any.
Cieren Fallon is one of my favourite flat jockeys, and he’s been riding quite well recently, so I’m happy to see Dan has booked him for the ride.
GambleAware