RACE PREVIEW & TIPS (SUNDAY)

Unlike most Sunday’s on UK soil this Sunday’s action seems at a much higher level with both Ascot and York set for some top quality racing and pundit Rory Paddock pinpoints a quartet of horses that look worth following.

ROSE HIP (13:20 Ascot)

Jockey Tom Marquand is in blistering form this year and looks to be one of the breakout stars of the season. He climbs aboard this Tony Carroll trained five year old who went close when a beaten favourite last time out. She seems to have been found an easier task and as the favourite looks to hold a very strong claim.

AJAX TAVERN (16:50 Ascot)

The Richard Hannon team are firing on all cylinders at the moment and claimed success here yesterday. It’s very interesting to see that number one stable jockey Pat Dobbs has a ride three hours earlier in the day and then nothing until this mount. Maybe I’m reading too much into this however a three hour wait for his next and only other ride indicates it must have a chance surely? This looks a more competitive race than the one when a very close third at Doncaster but he should have learnt plenty from his handicap debut and looks to hold a solid each way chance.

FRANCONIA (15:20 York)

It’s an obvious one I know! But it’s hard to look past the super star team of Dettori, Gosden and Khalid Abdullah. They saw their wonder mare Enable produce a masterclass display yesterday and it seem likely to add to their tally. Did I even mention this horse is by Frankel? An odds on favourite but also looks the obvious winner.

CONFIDE (16:30 York)

Trainer David O’Meara has his horses going very well of late and he’s set to saddle this current race favourite. A winner on debut he went on to claim third next time out at Thirsk. Making his handicap debut and as the lightest raced runner in the field has plenty of room to progress. Shouldn’t be far away.

Also worthy of a mention in this race is the rank outsider Caballero. Now understandably it’s hard to be overly enthusiastic about a horse who’s failed to beat a rival on its last two starts but that was over distances way above what looks preferable. Now down to under a mile, based on his form around this trip (2116) he might be worth a small each way play, especially for a trainer who does well at York.

Written by Rory Paddock