Saturday 11th May 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (jordan_yates)
2.25 Lingfield: William Hill Oaks Trial Fillies’ Stakes: I’m kicking things off on this week’s Saturday Preview with the 2.25 at Lingfield which is the Oaks Trial over a mile and three and a half furlongs. I’m siding with Rubies Are Red here for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. She’s placed on both of her starts to date and was fancied to win on seasonal reappearance when sent off a short priced favourite. The yards have been needing the run, however, and despite Gallileo Dame her conqueror that day not franking the form at Chester, I fancy the O’Brien filly to be a lot sharper here. The step up in trip looks sure to suit and she should be going close. Rubies Are Red – 9/2 (Win)
2.40 Ascot: Lavazza & Ascot 10 Year Anniversary Victoria Cup: It’s over to Ascot for my second selection of the afternoon and the 2.40 which is the Victoria Cup, a Heritage Handicap over seven furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Popmaster here who’s currently an 11/1 chance in the betting for Ed Walker and Brandon Wilkie who takes off five pounds. On his seasonal reappearance, he was an encouraging sixth of fourteen in the Group 3 Abernant Stakes, perhaps finding the six furlongs a little too sharp. He’s now stepped back up to seven furlongs here and despite being high in the weights the rider’s five-pound claim should come in handy. The yards in fantastic form and he has very solid form at this track. Popmaster – 11/1 (Each-Way)
3.00 Lingfield: William Hill Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes: My third selection of the afternoon comes back at Lingfield and in the 3.00 which is the Derby Trial over a mile and three and a half furlongs. I’m with another O’Brien raider here in Illinois who’s also the mount of Ryan Moore. Like Rubies Are Red, he was turned over at a short price on his seasonal reappearance which came in the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown last month, where he finished third of five. He should also come on a great deal for that run, and a sounder surface here could well play to his strengths oo. He was third in a Group 1 at the back end of last term and clearly has ability. Illinois – 5/2 (Win)
3.15 Haydock: Pertemps Network Swinton Handicap Hurdle: I have a solitary selection over the jumps today from Haydock which comes in the 3.15 which is the Swinton Hurdle, a handicap hurdle over a mile and seven and a half furlongs. I think that this is all about Lark In The Mornin for Joseph O’Brien and JJ Slevin. He won the Boodles at the Cheltenham Festival when he was last seen, and that impressive success came on ground that apparently wasn’t ideal for him. He looks full of potential and could improve even further now he encounters a sounder surface for this particular assignment. Lark In The Mornin – 5/2 (Win) (NB)
3.35 Lingfield: William Hill Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes: My fifth and final selection of the afternoon comes in the 3.35 at Lingfield which is the Listed Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes over the seven furlongs. It’s hard to get away from Remarquee here for the team of Ralph Beckett and James Doyle. She was placed in two Group 1 events last season in the Coronation Stakes & Falmouth Stakes, behind extremely talented fillies in Tahiyra and Nashwa. She’s clear on ratings here and if she’s anywhere near the level of those efforts here she should prove very tough to beat following a wind operation. Remarquee – 5/4 (Win) (NAP)
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