Saturday Racing: Heart Of Kernow to Handle Hexham

Newmarket

Fast ground remains the order of the day at Newmarket despite yesterday’s rain in many parts of Britain. The highlight is a top-class renewal of the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes over seven furlongs and the winner is likely to go into winter quarters as favourite for the 2019 2000 Guineas back on the Rowley Mile.

Sangarius is unbeaten in two starts for Sir Michael Stoute and he could be anything, but the best of the home team is likely to be Too Darn Hot who was a fluent winner of the Gp 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster last time when easily disposing of Phoenix Of Spain.

The marginal vote, however, goes to Irish challenger Anthony Van Dijk (3.00) who lost little in defeat when runner up to Quorto in the Gp 1 National Stakes at the Curragh. The selection had the third horse home Christmas over 4L back in third on that occasion and the fourth home (Mohawk) won the Gp 2 Royal Lodge Stakes stepped up to a mile last time.

The Cesarewitch is the second leg of the autumn double and is a 34-runner handicap over two-and-a-quarter-miles. It is possible that Southern France will make up into a Gold Cup horse next year for Aidan O’Brien and if that is the case he must go very close although a draw in stall 24 is a slight concern.

We are paying six places each way (1/5^th odds) and my two each way selections against the field are Low Sun and Cleonte (3.40)  with marginal preference for the latter.

The selection won over 2m at the Shergar Cup when last seen back in August and would have liked a spot of rain but he ran well when fourth behind Stratum (2lbs worse off) over 2m at Newbury and this additional couple of furlongs will suit.

Tips

Anthony Van Dijk 

Cleonte  (EW)

York

I hope to see Mountain Angel (2.05) played later than was the case at Newbury last time when ran out of it close home having looed all over the winner two out. The 4-y-old is 4lbs higher in the weights this afternoon and at I would be disappointed if he didn’t reward each way support (4 places).

I was very impressed with the performance of Arrowtown (5.00) at Ayr last time and this six-year-old is in the form of her life at present. If the forecast rain arrives – form on soft or heavy ground reads 22111 – I will be disappointed if she doesn’t run a big race.

Tips

Mountain Angel 

Arrowtown 

Chepstow

Lord Duveen (2.30) will get further in time but he ran two solid races last season over timber and he can put that experience to full use under Richard Johnson. The Novice Chase is invariably won by a useful prospect and Poetic Rhythm has won at this meeting for the last two years and must have every chance on his first start over timber.

Marginal preference, however, is for Master Tommytucker (3.35) who was unbeaten in both starts over hurdles last season for Paul Nicholls and has the scope to make his mark over fences.

Tips

Lord Duveen 

Tommytucker 

Hexham

Heart Of Kernow (2.15) could have been let in lightly for his chase debut for Nigel Hawke who has an excellent record at the track. The selection won both starts at today’s track over timber although he has been off the track for over 12 months.

Heart Of Kernow