We have a busy day’s racing on Saturday with flat action from Doncaster, Newbury and Ripon, live on Sky Sports Racing…
3.37 Newbury – Bint Archange and Sky Secret fancied for calvary charge
A typically open renewal of this 25-runner Weatherbys Super Sprint sees Bint Archange among the market principals.
Richard Hughes has always held his charge in the highest regard, and he justified his reputation when landing the Listed Dragon Stakes at Sandown earlier this month. His trainer immediately pinpointed this as a likely target, and she could hit the frame with stall 20 a big plus.
Sky Secret was given a positive mention by trainer Clive Cox this week and he could be the main danger. P J McDonald takes the ride and given he wandered a little under pressure when winning at Leicester, there should be plenty more to come.
The pick of Richard Spencer’s pair looks to be Etienne who finished a narrow second behind Weekend Roar at Newmarket and he could play a part if settling early on.
Debut winner Angels Lane and the experienced Vollering complete a long list of alternatives.
3.02 Newbury – Symbol Of Honour and Soldier’s Tree feature
A tightly knit field of seven have assembled for this Group Three Hallgarten And Novum Wines Hackwood Stakes at 3.02pm.
The James Owen-trained Soldier’s Tree steps into Group company for the first time having shown excellent placed form in handicaps this summer. Third in the Wokingham on his last outing was an great run, and he this lightly raced individual may be competitive in this grade.
Symbol Of Honour, winner of the Sandy Lane last season, has failed to reach those heights since but was not beaten far when third at Newcastle and must be feared if in similar mood.
Binhareer is another with solid claims after a fair run at Royal Ascot, while Ed Walker’s Noble Champion is top-rated on 112.
1.55 Newbury – Persica and Oceans Four headline six runners
A select field of six goes to post for this opening Listed Steventon Stakes where Persica looks to have obvious claims.
Richard Hannon’s five-year-old is a dual Group Three winner and he was just denied when second in the Diomed Stakes at Epsom in June. Beaten the last twice, he continues to hold his form though and merits respect under Sean Levey.
Oceans Four produced a career-best when finishing fourth in the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot last month and first-time cheekpieces may eke out further improvement.
Godolphin pair Al Zanati and Arabian Light are worth closer inspection.
Best of the rest
2.25 Newbury – Baileys Khelstar will be popular for two-mile handicap.
4.12 Newbury – Manaar and Miss Scott reoppose.
4.47 Newbury – Untouchable and Can’t Stop feature in hot novice.
6.45 Doncaster – Feature Class Three with Yorkshire topping nine runners.
2.05 Ripon – Quillan and Warby headline opening two-year-old heat.
3.15 Ripon – Ripon Bell-Ringer – Yafreh and Elsass feature among eight runners.
7.46 Saratoga – Grade One Diana Stakes – Cathedral represents Kevin Philippart de Foy.
10.45 Monmouth Park – Grade One Haskell Stakes – The Puma, Further Ado and Preakness winner Napoleon Solo clash.
