This Saturday there are seven live races on ITV, plus the world’s richest race in the shape of the $20 million Saudi Cup on Racing TV.
We’re looking at a value Lucky 31 bet. The wager contains five selections but just remember that unit stake; even a £5 bet becomes £155 so bet sensibly. These are our five selections for Saturday’s racing:
Pendil Novices’ Hurdle, Kempton, 1.50 – Rubaud, 11/8
Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden team up in our opening race, one of three Grade 2 events run at Kempton on what might be pretty quick ground.
Rubaud is the highest rated horse in the race, and he’s achieved that recently on good ground. He is certainly going the right way, too.
Imperial Saint has done his work in handicaps which means he’s toughened, but he may have reached his max for now while Ashdale Bob is arguably going backwards and is not well weighted.
Adonis Juvenile Hurdle, Kempton, 2.25 – Mondo Man, 4/7
Caoilin Quinn rides Mondo Man for Gary and Josh Moore and he must feel he’s on the right horse.
The gelding reached the sort of rough level needed to beat this opposition (at the weights) after only one run. He also did so on good ground, while he also ran too freely and is now bound to come on for the experience. He’s had 35 days between races to recover and improve and he’s the right favourite.
Hever Sprint Stakes, Southwell, 2.40 – Marshman, 11/4
Diligent Harry is no mug, but former Gimcrack second and French Group 3 winner Marshman looks value.
He returned to action on the all-weather this year and is now two from two. He won a very competitive handicap at Newcastle off top weight before scoring in comfortable fashion in a Listed race. He is bound to be competing in Group races, perhaps even Group 1’s, when the turf season starts.
Winter Derby, Southwell, 3.15 – Military Academy, 15/8
Persica is a danger in the Winter Derby, while Royal Champion is seen as the one to beat. He’s now rated 113 but he’s seven now and is unlikely to improve.
Military Academy (John & Thady Gosden) was given 109 for his Kempton win, but he did it so comfortably and could have run to 112+ if he’d needed to.
That was only the fourth run of his life, he is a four-year-old and that race was as far back as November. Plenty of improvement is expected and he may well be contesting top-level events later in the year.
Saudi Cup, Riyadh, 5.40 – Walk Of Stars, 14/1
It could be worth putting the former Godolphin runner into this bet to boost potential winnings. That’s especially true if you want to extend the bet to be each-way.
After contesting the Derby at three, Walk Of Stars always had ability but couldn’t make it work on turf. Now with Dubai World Cup-winning trainer Bhupat Seemar, he is thriving on the dirt.
He won a Group 1 last time, running to a mark of 118 which could have been higher. It’s likely he’ll need to run to the mid-120’s to reach the big guns but it remains possible and he’s a huge price.