Thursday 17th September 2026
The Eastern Festival at Yarmouth concludes on Thursday, and I’ve found three bets to sign off with, kicking off with one in the opener at 2.15, a Class 6 handicap over a mile. I like WHISKEY GALORE in this for Michael Bell, who’s acquired the services of Billy Loughnane. He failed to beat a rival in maiden and novice company; however, he showed significant improvement after a gelding operation, finishing second of eleven on his handicap debut at Lingfield last time out, just three-quarters of a length behind the winner. He’s just a couple of pounds higher here, albeit he’ll need to transfer that form to turf; however, he is by Sergei Prokofiev, who won on soft ground. Marco Botti’s Casablanca Dream is open to significant improvement here on handicap debut, and has Oisin Murphy on board. She could well feature.
Selection: Whiskey Galore – (4/1) (Each-Way)
Shortlist: Casablanca Dream (11/2)
2.15 Yarmouth
My second bet of the day comes in the 2.45, where we have a Class 4 maiden event over a mile and a furlong. I’m with CROWN RANGER here for Marco Botti, who’s the mount of Benoit De La Sayette. He showed a solid level of ability in some decent maiden and novice events before stepping up again to finish three-quarters of a length third of eight on handicap debut at Sandown last time out over a mile. He kept on well on that occasion, giving the impression that this extra furlong should be right up his street, and I think that he can make his presence felt back in maiden company. Wykehurst Park outran his odds on debut at Kempton for Andrew Balding when finishing third, and he has to be considered a big player with natural improvement likely on his second start. He’s another for Oisin Murphy.
Selection: Crown Ranger – (5/1) (Each-Way) (NB)
Shortlist: Wykehurst Park (6/4)
2.45 Yarmouth
Moving on to my best bet of the afternoon now, which runs in the 3.15, a Class 4 nursery handicap over six furlongs. I’m strong on the chances of CATCHING DREAMS here in the Godolphin blue for Charlie Appleby, who’s the mount of seven-pound claimer Toby Moore. He posted a highly encouraging effort on debut at Lingfield, when just unable to run down a well-fancied rival, finishing half a length second despite being slowly away. He wasn’t able to back that up at Sandown after, only managing a fairly distant third when going off a short-priced favourite.
The quick turnaround may have been his undoing on that occasion, and he’s open to significant improvement within nursery company here. He’s also on better terms than a lot of his closest market rivals here, especially when you take Moore’s claim into consideration. He should go close.
Richard Hughes’ Dubai Charm won a handicap here over five furlongs in July, before following up with a third-placed effort here on his next outing. She found Listed company too hot on her most recent start, and has to be considered a player back among this company.
Selection: Catching Dreams – (9/4) (Win) (NAP)
Shortlist: Dubai Charm (7/1)
3.15 Yarmouth