RACING fan Gaurav Chaddah (@GauravChaddah) shares his best bets from Saturday's action at Newmarket.
1:50 Newmarket | Judmdmonte Royal Lodge Stakes | ITV
Aidan O’Brien has an impressive record in this race. The Irish trainer had the first three home in last year’s renewal, has had a horse finish inside the top three in the last four running’s and has won the race on three occasions in the last 12 years, more than anyone else in that time.
He fields three here, including Iberia (20/1 William Hill) and Royal Dornoch (22/1 Ladbrokes) who both may be used as pacemakers for what is clearly the stable’s first string, Year of the Tiger (8/1 Coral.)
The son of Galileo has had only the four starts to date and was disappointing seventh of eight when last seen running in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket’s July Festival, but I think that run can be ignored, with O’Brien claiming he was under the weather on that occasion.
Prior to that, he was a very easy winner of a Naas maiden, with the second, third and fourth all coming out and winning next time to boost the form. He was also thrown into the deep end on just his second start, finishing seventh in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot, which is now turning out to be one of the hottest two-year-old contests of the season, won by recent Group One winner Pinatubo.
He must reverse the form with Highland Chief (9/2 Ladbrokes) who was four lengths ahead of him that day, finishing second, behind Lope Y Fernandez, who himself has franked the form and arrives here after fresh after that run. That was only his second start too and but may just need this run and I feel there is more improvement to be come from the Ballydoyle colt.
Kameko (13/8 Bet365) is a worthy favourite, he won a Sandown maiden comfortably but the form has taken a few knocks and is nothing compared to the selection, however he stepped up considerably when just beaten in the Solario Stakes at Sandown by Positive, who was also behind Pinatubo the time before that.
He can give the selection something to think about, but I feel he may have been a little flattered last time. The race does have an open look feel to it, but I think the favourite is certainly vulnerable and I’m siding with O’Brien to deliver the goods again.
3:40 Newmarket | Bet365 Cambridgeshire Heritage Handicap | ITV
Thirty-five runners obviously make this one of the most challenging handicappers of the season for punters to solve but with 8/1 the field and several bookmakers paying up to eight or so places, it gives the chance to squeeze some each-way value out.
Those at the top the market haven’t got a great record in this race, with only one winning favourite in the last 10 years and the betting can’t seem to separate Good Birthday and Le Don De Vie, both of whom are 8/1 with Bet365 and may have more improvement to come as three-year-olds but I think it might pay to look elsewhere at bigger prices.
Jazeel (16/1 Bet365) is a horse I have been a big fan of this season and though at the age of four, he may be a little more exposed than the others, I can certainly see him going very close here regardless.
He won over the exact course and distance last year when winning the Silver version of this race and has done nothing but improve since. He likes to be held up and delivered late, and that as proven will suit at Newmarket and has the services of the brilliant Jamie Spencer.
I think his run at York last time can be ignored, it was over 12 furlongs which I don’t think suits nor did coming from off the pace that week. Before that, he was just beaten in a good handicap at Goodwood and was also a good winner of a Sandown handicap in July, which has worked out rather well with winners coming from it.
Nine to 10 furlongs seems his bag and despite a draw of stall seven may not being the greatest, if Jamie Spencer can get him in and deliver him with a smooth passage, I can’t see him being out of the place.
Best Bets
1:50 Newmarket – Year of the Tiger (8/1 Coral)
3:40 Newmarket – Jazeel each way (16/1 Bet365)
