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TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

13:35 Curragh


Aidan O’Brien bids for a near incomprehensible twenty-second win in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes and his twelfth in a row. The master of Ballydoyle is doubly represented by Adelaide River and Continuous. Wayne Lordan takes the ride on the former, who won well on debut at Dundalk last month. The form of that run has taken a few knocks since and he’s got enough to prove at his short odds. Continuous created a nice impression when winning on debut at HQ last month. The son of Heart's Cry stayed on well that day which suggests he’ll appreciate this step up in trip.


Jessica Harrington's string aren’t exactly firing on all cylinders but she’s got a live chance with Pivotal Trigger. The well-bred son of Pivotal comes into this more streetwise than others in the field, will appreciate the easy underfoot conditions and the horse that chased him home at Galway has since franked the form at Listowel.

The once-raced Roaring Gallagher and the Chesham seventh Crypto Force are others worth considering in an open-looking contest.


PIVOTAL TRIGGER (WIN) written by Peter Keogh



13:50 Newmarket


The opening race of the day from Newmarket is the Royal Lodge Stakes over a mile. Whilst it is quite disappointing to just see the four runners line up, this race is not short of quality.


Aiden O’Brien has a great record in this race, having saddled the winner on seven occasions including twice in the last four years. Greenland is his representative today, who got off the mark at Roscommon last time out. It remains to be seen how strong that form line is, but it is likely he will need to improve again today to be involved.


Flying Honours looks far and away the best horse in this contest on what we have seen thus far. He has won his last two races by a combined fifteen lengths, including a listed success on the latest occasion and I don’t see any reason why he won’t continue his progression here for Charlie Appleby.


The Foxes managed to beat the well thought of ‘Classic’ at Goodwood but the latter has disappointed since and he will need heaps of improvement to get near Flying Honours today. Dubai Mile has won a pair of novice events but the front runner will also need to prove that he can handle this step up in class.


It may not be the most exciting selection ever, but I can’t see a scenario where Flying Honours does not win. Dubai Mile looks sure to set the running and none of his rivals look good enough to pose a problem. If I was betting in the race I would probably look for a way to improve my odds by having the Godolphin runner to win by over five lengths as he has done on the last two occasions.


FLYING HONOURS (WIN) written by Tom Bates


14:05 Haydock


An opening looking race here in this class 2 race. Boardman looks as if he would need the rain to arrive given his best from is on softer ground.


Akhu Najla (At time of writing) is favourite and the lightly raced runner hasn't been seen since May which you would question may need the run after a fairly lengthy absence in a fairly hot race like this. However Roger Varian yard have been in red hot form in recent weeks so dangerous to dismiss.


Montassib is another one at the top of the market and could argue was a tad unlucky at Ascot last month and will be interesting to see what tactic they go for this time on him.


Auditor seems to be an improving type as each race goes by and holds a good each way chance.


My selection though at a nice each way price is Harrow. Top apprentice Harry Davies takes a handy 3 pounds of Harrow which effectively puts him at the bottom of the weights here. which will help him hugely here. Has ran at this level last time out and his 3rd at Doncaster gives you some encouragement there maybe more to come against this sort of opposition


HARROW (E/W)


written by Luke Tucker 14:25 Newmarket


The Cheveley Park Stakes is one of the premier races for juvenile fillies’ and is always competitive and this year’s renewal is no different. Away from the market principles, Juliet Sierra is well bred and landed a career best when winning a Group Three at Salisbury on her latest start. She has potential but this is a massive step up in trip and it’s better leaving her to see how she fares. As well as her, Treasure Trove shaped with promise over five furlongs and backed that up with a fifth placed finish to Meditate over an extra furlong. She was quite good at York and won her last in a Group Three over the same distance. She has to step up but also warrants intrigue


Trillium is well bred and is almost certainly in with a shout today. She’s won three of her four races and landed a very competitive renewal of the Flying Childer’s, with the Nunthorpe second, The Platinum Queen, playing runner up again. Her time that day was super impressive and the only question mark would be against her six furlongs form. Nevertheless, she deserves to be contesting favouritism.


Meditate was unbeaten until bumping into the potentially smart Tahiyra in the Moyglare last time out. Before that, she was imperious, landing four on the bounce including a nice recovery from a stumble in the Debutant Stakes. That form has worked out well and without the mishap she would’ve won by more. She was clear of the field when behind Tahiyra and she sets the standard today for the trio of Moore, O’Brien and Coolmore. I’d like to see her take victory at the top level today.


MEDITATE (WIN)

written by Kieran McHugh 14:40 Haydock

Copper Knight bolted up at Chester in June and safely holds a few of these on that although since then his form has rather hit the skids and his three latest starts leave him with plenty of questions to answer. Attractively enough handicapped and likely to give it a fair go from the front, he deserves considering despite there being a feeling that he will pop up later in the season.


Zarzyni has proven himself to be most progressive this term and he can be forgiven for flopping at York a couple of starts back as that was a very messy race. Better when a late fading eleventh in last week's Ayr Gold Cup, he looks certain to be suited back at the minimum trip and a good deal of respect is afforded.


Alligator Alley gained compensation for a luckless effort at Doncaster when bolting up at Thirsk the time after. Often a smooth traveller, one suspects he is well handicapped in the grand scheme of things although he almost certainly needs plenty of luck in his run here and he did leave the strong impression that he had his own ideas about the game when fourth over this course and distance last time.


Nomadic Empire doesn't win as often as he ought to and he once again showed his soft side when curling up and finding nothing for pressure when fourth in the Portland. Clearly very talented and likely to be suited to how this is run, he looks a very tempting bet at double figure odds and he is now 6lbs below the mark he last won off.


Count D'Orsay has plenty of form to be suggested here though his losing sequence is now up to 28 and it is over two year's since he last got his head in front. Proven at the course, on the going and at this time of year, it would take a brave punter to play him in the win markets but he easily makes most appeal of those who can be backed each way and as such, that is the advice.


Isle Of Lismore is progressive and worthy of consideration and the likes of Equality, The Thin Blue Line and Sunday Sovereign make the list of mentions but a chance will be taken on both Count D'Orsay and Nomadic Empire who despite looking tricky, appeal as types to have this run to suit.


COUNT D'ORSAY (E/W)

NOMADIC EMPIRE (E/W) written by Chris Connolly 15:00 Newmarket


Blackbeard arrives here looking for his hat-trick following two victories in France, beating Persian Force last time out and also finishing ahead of The Antarctic in both. He’s the highest rated in the field and his trainer has won this race four times since the turn of the century, however he’s up against some tough opposition and I feel will need to step forwards again if he is to emerge victorious.

Marshman lost his unbeaten record when second to Noble Style in the Gimcrack at York last month, yet it was an extremely encouraging performance and that race has already produced three subsequent winners so he would have to be considered in with a strong chance of returning to winning ways, although the fly in the ointment could be Mischief Magic who has progressed nicely through the ranks and won a Group 3 at Kempton earlier in the month in convincing fashion. He’s got a couple of lbs to find on official ratings but his stable and jockey are in fine form and I don’t think he’s reached his peak yet so he gets the vote in what promises to be a cracking renewal.


MISCHIEF MAGIC (WIN) written by Dean Kilbryde 15:20 Curragh

The Goffs Million features challengers making their way over the Irish Sea the best of them being Oviedo and Magical Sunset. The latter was impressive on debut but perhaps the ground caught her out on second start, and this is likely to be the case again. The former has a good chance in this on the form of the third in the Acomb and will be a threat to all if handling the slower conditions. The home contingent is lead by Hellsing and Hiawatha, of the two I would prefer Hiawatha who has been improving race to race and will certainly see the trip out well having only raced over further, the issue could be the draw.

Joseph O’Brien was in good form in the week at Listowel, taking prizes under both codes he runs Zoinnocent and The Franchise. Zoinnocent was a winner back in June, since then gained black type in a fillies only Group 3 but her level of form perhaps isn’t good enough. The Franchise however has had only one start and that was full of promise, recovering from a slow start over C&D before finishing to good effect for third. This is a major step up from a maiden, but I will give the Siyouni colt an each-way chance from stall one and with having experience over the track and trip.

THE FRANCHISE (E/W) written by Michael Taylor 15:40 Newmarket


The Cambridgeshire handicap over one mile one furlong is one of the most fiercely contested handicaps of the season, and this seasons renewal looks as hotly contested as ever.


William Haggas seemingly has a strong hand this year with Mujtaba and Protagonist two of the market leaders.

Mujtaba was a progressive three year old and made his four year old debut in the Lincoln were he went off favourite. He didn’t run his race that day, but ran better when upped in trip he finished fourth at Chester. Connections clearly weren’t overly happy with him, so after a break and a first time tongue tie, he certainly came back to form when winning a shade cozily at Doncaster. He’s impossible to rule out.

The yards other contender Protagonist is a year older, however he looks equally progressive. His form ties in with the three year old Savvy Victory who he beat a nose at Doncaster. Savvy Victory reopposes today with the eye catching booking of Ryan Moore. But Protagonist is taken to confirm that Doncaster form.


The draw usually plays a bit part in the outcome of these races and there’s every chance there could be three groups.

As is often the case with these type of races there are plenty of each way terms on offer, so it may pay to have two selections drawn on opposite sides.


Majestic is the first ew selection drawn in 26. He has certainly been running with credit since handicapping, and the helter skelter nature of the race could well suit. He could run a big race at a price.


Majestic Dawn, a previous winner could have his own way down the middle of the track. Previous winners have won the race again after a years gap, and this horse is certainly well enough handicapped under his young riders claim. He definitely looks place material.


MAJESTIC (E/W)

MAJESTIC DAWN (E/W) written by Matt Polley

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