3 minutes Barry Hill has another bunch of tips for you this Saturday including tips from ITV races at Sandown and York.
2.05 SANDOWN
Read Meg Nicholls' Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap
CLASSIC - 15/8
CLASSIC, a consistent five-year-old for Richard Hannon and owner Julie Wood, gets a slight drop in the weights to 87, just 2lb below his last winning mark.
He stayed on well over a mile at Newbury last time and should be better suited by the stiffer finish at Sandown, where he’s a past winner. With Ryan Moore booked, he’s one to take seriously.
2.25 YORK
Queen Mother's Cup Handicap (For Female Amateur Jockeys) (GBBPlus Race)
BORN RULER - 7/2
York’s lady riders’ handicap often favours the more experienced jockeys, and BORN RULER , ridden by Gina Andrews, looks the pick.
He was unlucky in the Zetland Gold Cup, getting too far back, and should be better suited by this step up in trip. Back in cheekpieces and trained by Sir Mark Prescott, he looks a strong contender.
2.40 SANDOWN
BetMGM Scurry Stakes (Listed Race)
TOWN AND COUNTRY - 3/1
Colin Keane partners TOWN AND COUNTRY for Henry de Bromhead, and the filly looks ready to strike after two strong seconds at Cork this season.
Last time, she was just denied in Listed company by First Instinct, who nearly followed up in the Group 2 Sandy Lane. That form looks rock-solid, and with a handy 8st 13lb on her back, she has a slight edge at the weights. This looks a cracking race, and she’s a big player.
3.35 YORK
Churchill Tyres Supporting Macmillan Sprint Handicap
MARCHOGION - 9/1 (NAP)
This looks a typically competitive sprint, but MARCHOGION is one to keep onside after a dominant win at Newmarket, where he had American Style well behind.
That was just his third turf run, and he looked a well-handicapped horse, travelling smoothly and finishing strongly. A 7lb rise asks more, but the clock backed up the performance, he’s still unexposed on grass, and a strong pace plus stall 4 should play to his strengths. My NAP of the day.
4.25 SANDOWN
BetMGM Fillies' Handicap (Div I)
CRADLE OF LOVE 11/2
CRADLE OF LOVE, formerly with Joseph O’Brien, showed promise in strong company as a juvenile, placing behind the likes of California Dream and Usdi Atohi, and finishing ahead of Group 3 winner Merrily in a competitive maiden.
Now with Ollie Sangster, she was narrowly beaten at Haydock by Woroodd (now rated 85) and makes her handicap debut off 77. Given her Stakes experience and the quality of form in her profile, that mark could prove lenient. She’s unexposed in handicaps and looks one to keep onside.
6.28 HEXHAM
WELL EDUCATED - 10/1
WELL EDUCATED landed back-to-back wins around this time last year, including over course and distance, and shaped like the best horse at the weights when second here last month.
Just caught late on, he’s likely to be held onto a bit longer this time and looks well worth another chance off what still appears a lenient mark.
