Sport

Weekend Betting Tips: Enraptured poised for a winning start to his season

Our tipster Karl Hedley provides the odds for the weekend's races...

SATURDAY

NEWMARKET

2-20 ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH UK HANDICAP – 7 FURLONGS

Enraptured can make the most of a slight ease in grade to get his season off to a winning start. He would have finished amongst the places had he not have drifted out to the left in the closing stages and he will have learned a lot from that seasonal reappearance. A step back to seven furlongs should also be in his favour and he is reunited with Rob Havlin who won on him as a juvenile.

Marmoom won his maiden over this course and distance last month. He is learning all the time and if taking to handicaps at the first time of asking, he is likely to prove a major thorn in the side of the selection. Ticking Katie got up in the very last strides to win an apprentice race at York on her latest start. She looks to have a lot more on her plate this afternoon and may struggle to give weight away to her male counterparts.

Mr Bossy Boots won on his first start at Lingfield back in February but he has not been seen since. If he is back at full fitness he too can get involved. Enraptured is worth another go back at this seven furlong trip and now that the cobwebs have been cleared, he can go very close.

GOODWOOD

2-40 JAGUAR HANDICAP – 1 M 4 F

Second Step is two from two this season and he won readily when upped to this trip for the first time at Newbury. The form of that race was given a timely boost when the fifth placed Sebastien Beach came out and won just the other evening. Adam Kirby has an excellent strike rate when teaming up with Luca Cumani and this progressive three year old son of Dalakhani can progress again.

Rainbow Rock was doing all of his best work in the closing stages at this track the other day and if allowed to take his chance he has to be considered a massive threat. Mark Johnston has his team in rude health and Cam Hardie is able to claim a very useful five pounds.

Oasis Fantasy is proven over the course and distance and the form of his latest effort is working out well. He finished in front of Made In Rio last time and that individual has gone on to record two wins since. Kings Fete won well at York last time but he may struggle to give weight away to improving rivals. Luca Cumani was unlucky here earlier in the week with Havana Cooler and Ajman Bridge both finishing second. Second Step can end that frustrating run and ought to prove difficult to beat.

NEWMARKET

2-55 ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH UK FILLIES NURSERY – 6 FURLONGS

Dittander has been sent off a short priced favourite on both of her starts to date. Her latest win at Bath was particularly impressive as she was giving weight away to all of her rivals. This is a slight step up in distance for the filly but her style of racing suggests that she will be able to handle it. Richard Hannon has won this race before and the yard has provided Sean Levey with his last five winners.

Enlace won with any amount in hand on her debut at Hamilton. This six furlong trip should not prove an inconvenience and with Silvestre De Sousa booked to ride, the combination look sure to run well.

New Providence had the re-opposing Cajoling in behind last time and there is no reason as to why that form should be reversed, whilst Panda Spirit was beaten three lengths the last time that she attempted this trip. Dittander represents a stable with unlimited ammunition and talent within this division and she should be right in the mix.

GOODWOOD

3-50 32 RED CUP (STEWARDS CUP) – 6 FURLONGS

Rex Imperator ought to make a bold bid to retain his crown in this cavalry charge. The booking of Joseph O’Brien certainly catches the eye and he is only four pounds higher in the ratings than when winning this last year. He is drawn in exactly the same stall and now faces his first significant drop in class since then. He has been placed in listed company this year and despite having to give weight away all around he can make the frame.

Alben Star has gone close in recent starts at both Royal Ascot and The Curragh when finishing fourth on both occasions. He is stabled at a yard that specialises in winning races of this nature and with George Chaloner taking off a useful five pounds he has to enter calculations.

Intrinsic has won his last three starts including one over this course and distance. He has to defy a two month absence and against rivals that are fully fit that shall be no easy task. Rex Imperator represents an in form William Haggas team and he can make his presence felt here.