Sport

Weekend Betting Tips: Grandeur set to shine at Newbury

Our tipster Karl Hedley provides the odds for the weekend’s races

SATURDAY

NEWBURY

1-50 DUBAI DUTY FREE LEGACY CUP (GROUP 3) – 1 M 3F 5YDS

Grandeur makes his first start in the UK since winning at Lingfield back in April. He has been on his travels ever since and has picked up some fairly useful prize money at Belmont Park subsequently. He has won at this track in the past and over slightly further so he ought to be able to give a more than creditable account of himself here. The rides he received in the United States were shrouded in controversy but Richard Hughes knows this track well and he can keep his mount out of bother. Connections will be keen to get another win into him and this may well prove an ideal opportunity.

Tasaday was a Group Two winner back in her youth and it is clear that she still retains plenty of ability. She receives three pounds from her male counterparts today and she should find life much easier here than when competing against the likes of Tapestry and Taghrooda in a Group One at York last month. The step back down in trip should also prove to her liking and she looks the main threat to the selection. Hillstar always tends to find at least one too good and may do so once again. Grandeur has always had a touch of class about him and he can get back to winning ways this afternoon.

AYR

2-40 WILLIAM HILL AYR SILVER CUP (HANDICAP) – 6 FURLONGS

Mission Approved has been a model of consistency this season and would have finished a great deal closer at Doncaster last time but for meeting some trouble in running. This is a similar sized field but he is back on his favoured fast ground and he now has the assistance of Fran Berry in the saddle. A single figure draw is not a disaster on fast ground and provided that the rain stays away the combination ought to go close to recording a first win of the season.

This race has a habit of throwing up big shocks and if there was to be an upset Santefisio could well be the one. He was a close up fourth in similar company at Kempton last time on the polytrack, but his best form has come on a firm surface and he has place prospects at best.

Kevin Ryan has his yard in excellent shape and Bogart showed a return to form at Doncaster last time. If repeating the effort he has obvious claims. Luca Cumani seems to have turned a corner with his runners of late and Mission Approved can continue the excellent form of his yard.

NEWBURY

2-55 DUBAI DUTY FREE HANDICAP – 1 M 2 F 6 YDS

Queensbury Rules returned to form when getting his head in front for the first time this season at York. He had dropped to a career low rating on that occasion but the win will have instilled him with confidence and he can make a bold bid to follow up. Paul Hanagan is required to ride another rival today so connections have opted to replace him with Ryan Moore who has already partnered Queensbury Rules to success twice in the past.

Roseburg looks to have been specifically targeted at this race by Luca Cumani as the trainer bids to land the event for the fourth time in seven years. He did look out of sorts on a faster surface when last tried on it at Goodwood and his ability to adapt is open to plenty of question. If he takes to it second time around he can prove a major threat.

Energia Davos produced his best ever run on British soil last time when winning at Haydock. He has received a notable hike in the ratings as a result and will do well to win with his welter burden. Air Pilot seems to need a bit of cut and his participation would have to be in doubt. Queensbury Rules looks to have been rejuvenated back to form by William Haggas and he is worth another chance.

AYR

3-50 WILLIAM HILL AYR GOLD CUP (HERITAGE HANDICAP) – 6 FURLONGS

Barnet Fair could well prove the answer in this annual cavalry charge on the straight course at Ayr. He only moved to the Dandy Nicholls yard at the start of the summer and the Thirsk based handler has been unlucky not to win more than one decent handicap with him.

Cam Hardie is able to claim a more than useful five pounds and having won on him already this season the duo look massively overpriced in this feature race. Barnet Fair enjoys lightning fast ground and has a nice looking draw in stall seventeen. Dandy Nicholls has won this race no fewer than six times in the last twenty years and he has to be high on any shortlist.

Watchable comes here as the horse very much in form. He landed a valuable handicap at The Curragh last weekend and is clearly thriving. He has won over this course and distance in the past and the stable have already had a winner here earlier in the week. He too will enjoy the quick ground and Danny Tudhope gets on well with the four year old.

They have to rate as massive dangers if they can overcome a low draw. Three year olds tend to fair badly against far more experienced rivals in this particular race and the likes of Eastern impact, Highland Acclaim and Supplicant are dismissed for that reason. Blaine looks to have a plum draw in stall twenty six and is another that can make the frame for the Ryan’s. Barnet Fair has plenty of experience in these big fields and represents a trainer with a record second to none here. It would be no surprise to see him run another huge race.