Weekend Racing: Riviera Knights Could Put Them to the Sword

Newmarket

Ryan Moore is in the States to ride Mendelssohn at Belmont Park this evening in his prep race ahead of the Breeders’ Cup classic at Churchill Downs later in the year. Moore’s absence means Donnacha O’Brien maintains his partnership with Ten Sovereigns (3.00) who is taken to maintain his unbeaten record in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.

The selection landed the odds to win a Curragh Group 3 at the beginning of the month and he looked a top-class juvenile. This race was immediately nominated as his next target although he is short enough at 4/6. He is currently 8/1 for the 2000 Guineas next spring behind the 4/1 favourite Too Darn Hot.

Arthur Kitt (1.50) was no match for the aforementioned Too Darn Hot (7f) at Sandown last time, but he was well clear of the third and looks as if he will appreciate the step up to a mile for the first time in the opening Royal Lodge Stakes.

The selection – 4/1 – had previously won the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot and he is an extraordinary story with his mother (Ceiling Kitty) dying having given birth to her foal.

The big betting race of the day is the 35-runner Cambridgeshire and my short-list consists of Stylehunter (14/1), Very Talented (11/1) and UAE Prince (3.40 – 14/1) with the each way vote going to the latter. We are paying each way 1/5^th odds on the first six.

The selection has not been out since finishing runner up in a valuable handicap over C&D back in May from a 2lbs lower mark. Roger Varian fits his five-year-old with first-time cheek-pieces and this strong traveller can reward each way support in a fabulous renewal of this prestigious and valuable handicap.

Tips:

Arthur Kitt 

Ten Sovereigns 

UAE Prince 

Haydock

At Haydock the three-year-old Surya returns from a two-month break on a hat-trick having won her last couple of starts including over C&D from an 8lbs lower mark last time. That form has been franked by the subsequent wins of the second, third and fourth, but I just favour Baydar (4.25) who looked as if he was coming to hand when runner up at Chester last time.

The selection has won from a 10lbs higher mark when trained by Hugo Palmer, but he showed improved form in a first-time visor on the Roodeye and Harry Bentley looks a significant booking.

Tip:

Baydar 

Market Rasen

Not A Role Model is likely to give a good sight from the front in a fascinating and valuable 2m 5f at Market Rasen, but marginal preference is for Buster Thomas (3.25) who may not have got home over 3m at Kempton last time. The selection had previously won from a 4lbs lower mark at Wincanton and remains open to considerable improvement. Trainer Emma Lavelle has won with two of her last four runners.

Tip:

Buster Thomas 

Ripon

At Ripon Riviera Knights (2.30) has a cracking draw for one who likes to race prominently and the step up to a mile for the first time looks sure to suit this son of Kingman. Hayley Turner takes over in the saddle this afternoon and I feel an opening mark of 83 is fair.

Tip:

Riviera Knights 

Sunday

Musselburgh

I feel Pride’s Gold (4.20) can win her first start on turf having won two of her last three starts on the all-weather although she dead-heated last time over Wolverhampton’s extended mile. Simon Crisford’s 3-y-old has the plum draw in stall one and she is likely to race prominently with Graham Lee takes over in the saddle for the first time. It is worth noting that the filly she dead-heated with at Wolverhampton last time – Scottish Jig – has certainly franked the form.

Tip:

Pride’s Gold 

Epsom

Lady Cosette (2.00) will appreciate the return to 7f having been a beaten favourite in a valuable Sales’ race at Doncaster over half a furlong shorter at the St Leger meeting. She is 1lb lower today and Andrea Atzeni is in the saddle.

Tip:

Lady Cosette