Four wagers for Haydock and Sandown tomorrow

Spectator

8 hours ago

I am pretty sure that MINSTREL KNIGHT is a well-handicapped horse off an official rating of 87. However, there is no doubt that he is a better horse with cut in the ground: he won at Haydock on heavy ground and at York on soft ground at the end of last season.
With very little rain over the spring and early summer resulting in predominantly quick ground up and down the country, Minstrel Knight has only run once to date this season, when he was fourth on good to soft ground in a modest handicap at Hamilton. That was almost certainly a prep run for a bigger target.
The problem with backing this horse at Haydock tomorrow for the Old Newton Cup (3.15 p.m.) is that the ground is currently described as 'good, good to firm in places'. Some rain is forecast overnight but it is not clear whether there will be enough to change the going description significantly.
Indeed, if the wet stuff fails to arrive in any quantity, trainer Ed Bethell may opt to take his four-year-old gelding out of the race. However, if this happens, any stake will be returned. So my suggestion is 1 point each way Minstrel Knight at 11-1 with bet365 or William Hill, both paying five places.
I am, however, also going to go in double-handed for this competitive 16-runner handicap over a mile and a half. PADDY THE SQUIRE ran a big race at York last month when third behind two well-handicapped horses Burrito and See That Storm. Furthermore, Paddy The Squire's Scottish trainer Iain Jardine knows how to land a big handicap given the right ammunition: for example, he won the 2017 Ebor with Nakeeta.
The way Paddy The Squire finished his last race over just over 10 furlongs suggested he will be even better over tomorrow's longer trip. This horse clearly handles quick ground but would not be inconvenienced if the ground became a little softer after overnight rain. So back Paddy The Squire 1 point each way at 9-1 with bet365, Betfred, BetVictor, Ladbrokes or Coral, all paying five places.
At Sandown tomorrow, the big race is the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse (3.35 p.m.) worth more than £567,000 to the winning connections. I am not going to take on the favourite Ombudsman who is well clear of his five rivals on official ratings. If there had been eight runners and three places, I might have backed the outsider of the whole field, Hotazhell, as I think he will be suited by the step up in trip from a mile to ten furlongs. But it's a watch-and-enjoy contest for me.
However, on a really interesting card, I do want to get involved in two earlier races from a betting point of view.
In the Coral Distaff (3 p.m.) over a mile, Ed Walker's MISS TONNERRE looks overpriced against her eight rivals. True, she was disappointing on her seasonal debut when only fourth of five runners at York, beaten all of 14 lengths by the useful winner, Whirl.
However, I am pretty sure she is better than she showed that day and her handler rates her among his best three-year-old fillies. There was little wrong with her first two runs of last season so back her 1 point each way at 10-1 with BetVictor, Ladbrokes or Coral, all paying three places.
In the first race on tomorrow's Sandown card, the Group 3 Coral Charge (1.50 p.m.), Walker's BALMORAL LADY will benefit from any overnight rain and also the drop in class because she found Group 1 rivals a little too hot to handle on quick ground in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.
However, she was only beaten three and a half lengths by the winner, American Affair, and she can run a big race tomorrow if allowed to take her chance on ground faster than ideal for her. Sandown's stiff 5 furlong course should suit.
Although I would have preferred her not to be drawn on a wing in stall 11, I am still going to suggest a 1 point each way bet at 8-1 in with Coral the hope that jockey Kieran Shoemark can give his mount some cover and pounce late on. Coral is paying four places whereas those offering 9-1 are paying only three places.
I fancy Michael Bell's Greek Order, ridden by Ryan Moore, rather than the forecast favourite, Treasure Time, in the one mile Coral Challenge (2.25 p.m.). However, Greek Order is only a best priced 7-2 so I will resist the temptation to back him in such competitive 13-runner handicap.
That's four suggested bets for an interest for the racing tomorrow. Over and out until next weekend when there is really competitive racing to look forward to at both Newmarket and York.
Last weekend: + 7.6 points.
1 point each way Vicario at 33-1 for the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Mile, paying 1/5th odds, 4 places. 3rd. + 5.6 points.
2 points win Paborus at 4-1 for the Criterion Stakes. 3rd. – 2 points.
1 point each way Duke of Oxford at 33-1 for the Northumberland Plate, paying 1/4 odds, 4 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Who's Glen at 16-1 for the Northumberland Plate, paying 1/4 odds, 4 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
2 points win Caballo de Mar at 10-1 for the Northumberland Plate. Non Runner. – 2 points.
2 points win Native Warrior at 5-1 for the Pertemps Network Handicap. 1st. + 10 points.
Pending:
1 point each way Balmoral Lady at 8-1 for the Coral Charge, paying 1/5th odds, 4 places.
1 point each way Miss Tonnerre at 10-1 for the Coral Distaff, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places.
1 point each way Minstrel Knight at 11-1 for the Old Newton Cup, paying 1/5th odds, 5 places.
1 point each way Paddy The Squire at 9-1 for the Old Newton Cup, paying 1/5th odds, 5 places.
1 point each way Thunder Run at 12-1 for the John Smith's Cup, paying 1/4 odds, 4 places.
1 point each way See That Storm at 14-1 for the John Smith's Cup, paying 1/4 odds, 4 places.
2025 flat season running total: + 44.66 points.
2024-5 jump season: – 47.61 points on all tips.
2024 flat season: + 41.4 points on all tips.
2023-4 jump season: + 42.01 points on all tips.
2023 flat season: – 48.22 points on all tips.
2022-3 jump season: + 54.3 points on all tips.