Sport

Weekend Betting: Chancery ready to reign in York

SATURDAY

YORK

2-55 JOHN SMITHS CUP (HANDICAP) – 1 M 2 F 88 YDS

Chancery has stamina in abundance but more importantly is a previous course and distance winner. He won at this meeting last season and it is likely that this specific race has been a prime target for him all year. His seasonal reappearance behind Sheikhzayedroad was a highly creditable effort and he has to be of obvious interest this afternoon.

Educate is a talented individual and proved that when landing the Spring Mile at Doncaster last season as well as the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket. He fully deserves his place at the top of the handicap and could well be a Group horse masquerading in a handicap. If he puts it all together he could prove a very live threat.

William Haggas has a fantastic strike rate at this track and he sends Queensberry Rules into battle this afternoon. He saddled the first two home in this last year so his inclusion has to be respected. Chancery has a favourable draw in stall twenty one today and that could play a key role in any potential success.

NEWMARKET

3-15 666BET BUNBURY CUP (HANDICAP) – 7 FURLONGS

Ayaar gets in at the foot of the handicap this afternoon and as a consequence he can reverse recent form with Royal Ascot conqueror Field Of Dream. This return to seven furlongs is certainly in his favour and his yard are in blistering form at present. Frankie Dettori rides for the fourth time this afternoon and with a decent looking draw in stall sixteen, the duo look set to go well.

Horsted Keynes won at Yarmouth first time out this season and he followed that up with an equally pleasing run in the Buckingham Palace Stakes a few weeks ago. Partnered by Jim Crowley this afternoon, this lightly raced six year old still looks to be improving and may prove a major threat.

Field Of Dream is now racing off a career high mark but returned to form with a vengeance in The Royal Hunt Cup. Fran Berry is a noticeable jockey booking and he too can make the frame. Ayaar has beaten many of these rivals in the past including Abseil, Louis The Pious and Heaven’s Guest amongst others and he can do so again.

3-50 DARLEY JULY CUP (GROUP 1) – 6 FURLONGS

Slade Power gave weight and a beating to his rivals at Royal Ascot in the Diamond Jubilee and can do so again this afternoon. Eddie Lynam’s five year old speedball is bidding for a hat-trick of successes and should be capable of making a bold bid once again with Wayne Lordan in the saddle. He has already seen off the likes of Due Diligence, Aljamaaheer, Jack Dexter and Tropics this season and can do so again.

The biggest threat to the selection could come from the Spanish challenger in Noozhoh Canarias. He was a good sixth in the 2000 Guineas and the form of that race has worked out well subsequently. A return to six furlongs shall certainly be in this one’s favour and he ought to be right in the mix.

The more rain that falls the better are the chances of Hot Streak. He seems to be ground dependant and can make the frame if the ground continues to soften. Slade Power has won on all types of going and the versatile sprinter old can land the spoils.

ASCOT

4-15 NEPTUNE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT HANDICAP – 1 M 4 F

Miner’s Lamp was raised dramatically in class last time when sent out to contest the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot. He was always out the back and never really featured. As a result he would not have had that hard a race and much better can be expected now that his sights are lowered. Adam Kirby rides for the first time this afternoon and he has done well for Godolphin when partnering their runners this season. He will certainly act on the ground and is proven at the trip and they can make a bold attempt to give weight away all around.

Kinshasa is improving at just the right time and now faces his toughest test to date. He is effective on fast ground and he may pose the most questions to Miner’s Lamp. Wrangler would have had solid if the heavens opened. He seems to save his best for when there is plenty of give underfoot but as that appears unlikely this afternoon he is passed over on this occasion. Miner’s Lamp is officially twelve pounds clear in the ratings of his nearest rival and he can make his presence felt today.