The compressed nature of this current Flat racing season means there are superstars performing even on weekends when the racing isn’t of the highest calibre. That’s the case on Saturday where the racing at both Ascot and York is good but not world class as many of the best horses are saved for Glorious Goodwood which takes place next week. And yet, we still have the chance to watch an absolute superstar in the shape of Enable.
As well as Enable’s attempts to win a third King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, there are a couple more Pattern level races and some highly competitive handicaps which we have picked through in this week’s Saturday Racing Tips.
1:50 BetfredTV Pat Eddery Stakes
Twaasol to Win – 10/3
ITV’s coverage of the racing on Saturday begins with a Listed contest for two year olds which has produced some good winners over the years. There is a decent field assembled for the 2020 running which suggests that the winner will be one to keep an eye on over the remainder of the season and into next year.
Twaasol, who sits top of the bookies’ markets, has already found his way into the notebooks of many savvy judges. In just two starts, Owen Burrows’ colt has shown an impressive turn of foot and the ability to grind out a win when put under pressure. He took victory in a strong renewal of the Dovecote Stakes three weeks ago, which suggests that he is very much the one to beat in the Pat Eddery Stakes.
2:05 Skybet Britain’s Most Popular Online Bookmaker EBF Stallions Fillies’ Handicap
Dawaaween to Win – 4/1
We have a six runner handicap over 1m2½f from York to enjoy next. There’s actually a fair spread in the official ratings between the six in the field and connections of those at the bottom of the ratings will hope their charges can make the most of their lenient treatment. It is one from towards the higher end of the ratings who gets the nod though with Dawaaween well priced at 4/1.
James Bethell’s four year old has run three times already this season, impressing each time as she continues to improve. She looked very fit and well when finishing within a length of the winner last time out and is a very interesting option being stepped up in trip.
2:25 Moet & Chandon International Stakes
Shelir Each Way – 16/1
The Moet & Chandon International Stakes looks set to be one of the most exciting races of the day at Ascot. The quality of the field and the nature of the race both suggest that several will be in with a shout come the closing stages so there are plenty of routes for punters to consider.
It is hard to argue about the quality of the horses the market favours for this 7f handicap. Blue Mist (9/2) is the worthy favourite even if his last performance at Ascot wasn’t anything to write home about whilst Mutamaasik still has room to develop as a four year old and become better than this level in time.
The value bet from the race, however, looks to be Shelir at 16/1. David O’Meara has done some very good work with this four year old who has run well in defeat a couple of times this season. He has gradually come down the weights and now looks to be off a mark which will allow him to be very competitive.
2:40 Sky Bet York Stakes
King Of Comedy to Win – 10/1
The quality of Saturday’s racing goes up a level or two when the cameras switch their focus to York with the York Stakes. This Group 2 is run over 1m2½f and is open to horses aged three and older although there are no horses younger than four in the field of seven.
The field size isn’t as big as many would hope but there is still scope for a plethora of potential winners. Indeed, you have to go all the way down to King Of Comedy who is available at 10/1 for the best bet of the race. John Gosden’s four year old tailed off somewhat towards the end of last season but he ran well enough on his debut this season to suggest that he is deserving of much respect and has more improvement left in him. King Of Comedy will need to be right back to his best to get the better of Elarqam, Telecaster, et al but he has every chance of doing just that so looks too big to ignore at 10/1.
3:00 Betfred “Nifty Fifty” Handicap
Tsar to Win – 5/2
John Gosden and Frankie Dettori are one of the most feared trainer/jockey partnerships in Flat racing. They have combined to secure excellent wins from some horses who are right out of the top drawer already this season and hopes are high amongst all connected that Tsar has enough improvement in him to graduate out of handicaps and compete in pattern company before too long.
Tsar is the favourite for this one mile handicap for three year olds after winning on his handicap debut last time out. The quality of his run that day at Yarmouth was not missed by the handicapper but he is still better than his new mark of 94 suggests, something he can prove at on his course debut at Ascot.
3:15 Sky Bet Club Handicap
Orbaan to Win – 4/1
David O’Meara is based in York and absolutely loves running his best horses at his local race course wherever possible. As is usually the case for a big day of racing on the Knavesmire, O’Meara has a couple of very good chances on Saturday including Orbaan in this one mile handicap for horses who have a maximum official rating of 105.
Orbaan sits right at the top of the ratings for this race and therefore also at the top of the weights. He has already proven course form at York, showing that he has plenty of stamina for a tough examination over a mile. A win over course and distance last time out is a major positive so Orbaan is the one that connections of all the others will all be worried about.
3:35 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes
Enable to win – 8/15
The King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes is the feature race of the day in British racing on Saturday. What a shame, therefore that only four horses have been confirmed for this Group 1 that takes place over a mile and a half. Still, each of those four has tremendous quality and is deserving of their place in the line-up.
That John Gosden/Frankie Dettori partnership is expected to run out triumphant with Enable a firm odds-on favourite across the board with the bookies. Despite the various qualities of Japan, Anthony Van Dyck and Sovereign, it is tough to look past the favourite. Victory in this race would create more history for this wonder-mare as it would mark a third and set her up nicely for one more crack at the Arc at the end of the season.
3:50 Sky Bet Most Extra Place Races Handicap
Abate Each Way – 9/1
There are decidedly more horses in the field for the last couple of ITV races of the day. 14 are due to line up in the penultimate race of the day which gives punters a lot of choice. Unlike some of the day’s other handicaps there is no clear favourite with Tukhoom the shortest priced runner at 6/1. Another for David O’Meara and his team, Tukhoom does have a chance of justifying his position at the head of the betting but there is better value around including with Abate who can be found at best betting odds of 9/1.
Abate has done some good work for Adrian Nicholls this season. Although his last run was his worst result, there was still enough to like about the run. It is very interesting that connections are keeping him at six furlongs rather than reverting him to the minimum distance. He deserves respect at a good price.
4:10 betfred.com Handicap
Dreamweaver Each Way – 10/1
12 horses have been confirmed for the last ITV race of the day, the betfred.com Handicap. Those who are comfortable eschewing the pull of the favourites (Media Storm is the clear favourite at 9/2) should consider an each way play on Dreamweaver who can be backed at 10/1.
There wasn’t anything particularly special about Dreamweaver’s first run of the season but it soon became clear that Ed Walker was getting a run in his charge’s legs, in the hope that he would perform to a higher level next time out. That was very much the case as Dreamweaver put his rivals to the sword last time out at Haydock and he is primed to follow up with another strong showing.