Saturday 18th August

This year continues...


Newbury 2:45
Classic Punch 13/8
Papal Bull 13/8
Shahin 4/1

Classic Punch has the eyeball to eyeball tendencies of his brother. That and a soft lead will surely put pressure on a free running Shahin and a dodgepot Papal Bull. Unfortunately the market already has priced it entirely that way – every chance it's Papal Bull that drifts to a backable price – too late for me though!

Newbury 3:20
Stronghold 5/1
Red Evie 11/2
Silver Touch 11/2
Wake Up Maggie 11/2
Caradak 6/1
Per Incanto 11/1
Welsh Emperor 16/1
Dubai Touch 16/1

Stronghold has to prove fit enough and does have Richard Hughes to contend with – still think he should be closer to favouritism though, given the shadows over all the others. Red Evie won the Lockinge for crissakes, but her last two runs could hardly have been more worrying; Silver Touch probably better fresh and just can't back Channon horses in races like these; Wake Up Maggie flattered by beating up fillies and mares last time even if defied a penalty; Caradak have it all to do fto with a penalty; Per Incanto could be under-rated (Pricewise thinks so) but even Falbrav took time to acclimatise and it may well be that he's a sprinter anyway; Welsh Emperor had his conidtions last year, and Dubai Touch has to step up though he did do me a favour last week. I may keep him on-side in the place market. Of all the doubts, and at the prices I'm drawn towards Stronghold at 15/2.

Newbury 3:55
Lovelace 7/2
Jamieson Gold 5/1
Partners in Jazz 5/1
Burning Incense 5/1
Formax 20/1

Jamieson Gold remains on a tempting mark, having won this last year, and may well have been prepped to peak this week. 15/2 fair again. Formax caught my eye last week. Place possibilities.

Ripon 3:45
Zomerlust 12/1
Dhaluar Dhar 12/1
Philharmonic 12/1
Fullandby 12/1
Orpsie Boy 12/1
Indian Trail 12/1
Ice Planet 12/1
Wyatt Earp 12/1
Malcheek 12/1

Pick the bones out of that! I've priced with the draw favouring high – it should do, and the pace of the race points that way. Only problem is the horses I actually like are drawn low. Looks one to avoid!