Sport

Weekend Betting Tips: Captain Cat on track for success at Goodwood

Our tipster Karl Hedley provides the odds for the week's races

SATURDAY

GOODWOOD

3-30 DOOM BAR CELEBRATION MILE (GROUP 2) – 1 MILE

Captain Cat showed a tremendous turn of foot to win a Group 3 at Salisbury earlier in the month. He has now won four of his eleven career starts including three of his last four at this one mile trip. James Doyle has played a pivotal role in that success and it is of note that he is once again on board this afternoon. Roger Charlton has his team in good shape and this improving five-year-old seems to act on all types of ground.

The main dangers are likely to come from the three-year-olds also entered in the race. Hors De Combat, Master Carpenter, Bow Creek and What About Carlo are all decent types. Hors De Combat promises so much but nearly always seems to find a way not to win. He experienced trouble in running here last time under Freddie Tylicki and provided they can counteract that this time around, he looks the most obvious threat.

This one mile trip seems to stretch Bow Creek but he has won over it. Mark Johnston does well with his runners at this track and he too can make the frame. Master Carpenter’s chances would increase with any rain whilst What About Carlo may not appreciate this step back down in trip. Captain Cat is the highest rated of these in the race and he can make his presence known.

YORK

3-50 BETFRED EBOR HANDICAP – 1 M 6 F

Van Percy seems to specialise at this trip and comes here on the back of a decent performance at Glorious Goodwood. He got up in the dying strides to deny the awkwardly finishing Havana Cooler by a neck. Having seen off the likes of form horses in Noble Silk, Dashing Star and Continuum in that last race, Van Percy can take another step forward off his featherweight from what should be a fairly good draw.

Pallasator has been supported for this race since finishing second to De Rigeur in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock last month. He has since dotted up in a handicap at Ascot making his price for this race shrink even further. The one mile and six seems to be as far as he wants to go and no horse since the days of Sea Pigeon has carried a weight as big as his to victory.

Luke Morris could be the key to him though and he has to be respected. Elidor lacked the gears to see out two miles at Ascot last time and he may now do further as he drops back in trip. Paul Hanagan looks a noteable jockey booking by Mick Channon and he too can make the frame. Lightly weighted four year olds with double figure draws seem to have an excellent record in this race and Van Percy can continue that trend.

NEWMARKET

3-55 STOBART MEMBERS CLUB HOPEFUL STAKES (LISTED) – 6 FURLONGS

Intrinsic can bridge the gap between top handicap company and listed class this afternoon as he bids for a five timer. He sees out this six furlongs to great effect and although Richard Hughes is required elsewhere this afternoon, Tom Queally is very much an able deputy.

Whilst Intrinsic is much worse off at the weights with the likes of the re-opposing Ruwaiyan and Alben Star, he is still only relatively lightly raced and he should have some further improvement yet to come.

Naadir is likely to prove a big threat given that he receives a weight for age allowance. He has gone well in decent handicaps for Marco Botti this Summer and if taking to first time cheekpieces he too can go close. He has gone well here in the past and looks the pick of the remainder.

Tropics bids to win back to back renewals of this race for trainer Dean Ivory. This is a far more competitive affair than when he won it last season and whilst he is respected he will do well to defy a career high mark as well as fast ground.

Reckless Abandon is another that would prefer a bit of cut in the ground and he makes his debut for Charlie Appleby this afternoon. The change of scenery may bring out some further improvement from him but he is without a win since October 2012 and that tempers enthusiasm. Intrinsic is clearly on an upward curve and he can go well here.

5-05 FLY SKYWORK AIRLINES LONDON SOUTHEND AIRPORT HANDICAP – 1 M 2 F

Elhaame seems to be slowly but surely coming back to some decent form and his most recent run at Haydock suggested it was worth giving him another chance. He hit the front far too soon when partnered by Andrea Atzeni and he was unable to withstand the late challenges of both Energia Davos and Llanarmon Lad. The return to this trip also seemed to suit the son of Acclamation and he has to be high on any shortlist this afternoon.

Ghaawy was last seen around this time last year when making all in a nursery at Yarmouth. This is a big rise in class for the son of Teofilo but he is certainly housed at the right yard in order to have made significant improvement.

Saab Almanal made the most of a return to this trip when scoring for James Fanshawe and Tom Queally last time. He too could be improving and could have a big say in things with a handy six pound advantage over the selection.

Luca Cumani will have been disappointed to learn that Havana Cooler missed the cut for the Ebor. It would not be the biggest of shocks to see him atone for that disappointment with a victory here.