Horse Racing Preview Saturday May 17th: Bangor, Doncaster, Newbury, Newmarket, Thirsk and Uttoxeter

May 16, 2008

RACING PREVIEW MAY 17th – BANGOR, DONCASTER, NEWBURY, NEWMARKET, THIRSK, UTTOXETER

N.B. – Any prices indicated, unless otherwise stated, are forecasts only.

NEWBURY

2:10 Enter The Flat ToteTentoFollow Stakes, Listed Race, 1m 5f 61y

Saeed Bin Suroor’s Regal Flush (11/10) took the step up from handicap company to finish a close 4th in the St. Leger. Should continue of the upgrade, and looks the likely winner. Tranquil Tiger, Malt or Mash and Balkan Knight all contested the same event of their last start, the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes over 12f at Newmarket. Tranquil Tiger (11/4) stays further and a stronger gallop may have suited better. Malt or Mash (6/1) pulled very hard in the slow early stages, doing himself no favours. The versatile Balkan Knight (7/1) shaped well over an inadequate trip, going on nicely at the finish after racing at the rear of the field, following a slow start.

2:45 Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes, Group 1, 1m

A tough renewal, with little between the participants on official ratings. James Fanshawe’s Cesare (7/2 with vcbet) repeated his comeback win, in a 1m Ascot Listed race, without coming off the bridle. Seems likely to start favourite here. Henry Cecil’s Phoenix Tower (6/1 with totesport) only just got up in Newmarket’s Earl of Sefton Stakes, finally getting a run inside the last furlong. Quickened nicely, winning with more in hand than suggested by the official distance. Excellent run after a year off, unbeaten and shouldn’t be underestimated. Sir Michael Stoute’s Rob Roy (16/1 with Stan James) made a satisfactory British return in Sandown’s Group 2 bet265 Mile. Lacking the fitness of his rivals, he nonetheless kept on well. Encouraging.

Best Prices: 7/2 Haradasun (William Hill), 7/2 Cesare(vcbet), 6/1 Phoenix Tower (totesport), 6/1 Tariq (William Hill), 13/2 Creachadoir (totesport), 16/1 Rob Roy, 20/1 Majestic Roi (both Stan James), Astronomer Royal (vcbet), 25/1 Medicine Path (skybet), Arabian Gleam (vcbet), 40/1 Al Qasi (888sport), 100/1 Barshiba (William Hill), ALL QUOTED.

NEWMARKET

3:35 BetInternet.com Stakes (Heritage Handicap), Class 2, 1m 6f

Luca Cumani’s Sanbuch (4/1)improved throughout last season. Effective off a strong pace. Finishing well over 12f. Seems likely to be suited by the longer trip and further improvement is quite possible. Henry Cecil’s Ajaan (9/4) is far from straightforward, as he proved again in a recent 12f handicap at Newmarket. Quickened nicely and looked like drawing clear, but hung right and then left, so may prove a trial for any rider. Has a history of hanging in front. However, if running true, would have been an impressive winner. Mark Tompkins Four Miracles (8/1) stays the 14f trip well. Takes a rise in class, having gone up 6lb in the ratings for not winning. Should go well for Jimmy Quinn.

THIRSK

4:55 Scarborough Handicap, Class 2, 5f

Richard Fahey’s Bo McGinty (8/1) makes a quick reappearance after disappointing at Southwell, where he has run so well recently. Ishetoo (5/2) improved all through last season, from ever-increasing handicap marks. Goes well fresh and has struck up an excellent partnership with Michael Stainton. Must be a danger to all. Orpenindeed (9/2) settled better last time for Kirsty Milczarek. Repeat over shorter trip could well see return to winning form.

BANGOR

5:10 North Western Area Point To Point Championship (A Hunters’ Chase), Class 4, 3m 110y

William Kinsey’s King’s Reason (25/1) is interestingly his only runner from 5 entered at the 5-day stage. G.D. Hanmer runs two, Border Fusion (3/1) and Proud Andees (14/1). The booking of the leading riders suggests that these may both go well, though Tommy Two Toes (4/1) ran a cracker at Cheltenham and surely must have some say.

DONCASTER

7:45 Doncaster Racecourse Sponsorship Club Handicap, Class 4, 6f

Michael Blanshard’s Charles Darwin (10/1) has been out of form for some time, but has slipped down the weights, takes a slight drop in class and could figure if first-time blinkers have the desired effect. John Quinn’s Winthorpe (8/1) was all out to win at Thirsk last time, and may find things tougher in a better race. Richard Fahey’s Rainbow Fox (11/4) only just failed at Thirsk, and must have every chance in an open race.

UTTOXETER

7:05 Nick Lovett Another One Bites The Dust Handicap Chase, Class 4, 2m

David Pipe’s Very Cool (8/13) put up a creditable and courageous effort to be 2nd in a 3m hurdle at Haydock. Clearly in good heart. However, one attempt ‘chasing last November was disastrous. Likely short-priced favourite. Jonjo O’Neill’s Charmahal (13/2) was a satisfactory 2nd to a stablemate of Very Cool at Wincanton recently. In first-time tongue tie, making handicap debut and the mount of Tony McCoy, he put up a greatly improved showing. Seems likely to go very close here.

All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds