The Timeform Sporting Life racing experts combine to provide their best bets for Saturday’s racing.
ARISAIG – 2.12 Newmarket (James Cooper)
There’s a cracking 3-y-o fillies’ handicap at Newmarket (2.12pm) featuring a nice blend of established, useful sorts against rapidly-improving rivals at the foot of the weights.
As is often the case, a couple in the latter category head the market with no chances taken on the potential of Lou Lous Gift and Miss Bodacious respectively.
Either could be up to defying their new mark but at the prices, ARISAIG looks the one to be with representing Charlie Johnston.
Five of these contested the Sandringham at Royal Ascot last month and it was Arisaig that arguably emerged with the most credit of the quintet given she raced on what turned out to be the wrong part of the track coupled with the fact that she was also hampered.
The way Arisaig goes through her races suggests this drop back to 7f won’t be an issue and it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise were connections to opt for a more prominent ride on the July Course this time.
YEFIMENKO – 2.35 York (Billy Nash)
On the face of things YEFIMENKO looks to have plenty on her plate in this listed contest – she is by some way the least experienced member of this field having only shed her maiden tag eight days ago – but she could hardly have been more impressive last time so ignore her at your peril!
Having been worn down close home on her debut at the Curragh, she blitzed her rivals back at the minimum trip last time and clocked a really fast time (fastest 5f at Bellewstown that we have on our Timeform database) without really coming off the bridle.
There should be plenty more to come from this progressive sort who will be suited by this track, she is getting plenty of weight from more exposed rivals and, although Siobhan Rutledge is unable to claim three pounds, she won’t lack assistance from the saddle.
Ger Lyons doesn’t run too many in Britain, in fact he didn’t have a single runner in the UK last year, so the fact that has chosen to run Yefimenko here is a tip in itself.
INISHERIN – 4.35 Newmarket (David Johnson)
The sprinting scene has been crying out for a dominant force and after Shaquille proved a false dawn last year, I’m confident that INISHERIN can pick up that mantle.
Ability wise, he just looks of a higher standard than those that usually operate in this division, hinting at that when setting a strong gallop in the Guineas and proving it with his wins at Haydock and Royal Ascot since. I see no reason why the horses that were behind him on those occasions should reverse placings under these conditions while the level he ran to looks superior to what the older horses bring to the table. A very straightforward horse, who is versatile with regards ground conditions, if he repeats the form of his last two wins, he’ll take the world of beating.
CANDALA – 6.02 ParisLongchamp (Graeme North)
Besides the multitude of races taking place on what is a very chaotic domestic Saturday, there are three Group races to get stuck into at ParisLongchamp.
The fact that the hotly in-form Oisin Murphy crosses the Channel to partner Tamfana in the Grand Prix de Paris is an interesting tip in itself, but French Oaks eighth CANDALA has been put in as second favourite behind Oaks second Survie in the Prix de Malleret and I fancy she can gain revenge.
Drawn wide, Candala was slowly away and was then taken to the inside rail by Chris Hayes, who was having his first ride at Chantilly, and found herself short of room until around 300m to run by which time the leaders in a steadily-run race were away and gone. She’d been impressive when winning the G3 Prix de la Grotte on her reappearance and with Mikael Barzalona back on board, as well as the step up to 2400m promising to one who’s by Frankel out of a daughter of Dalakhani, she can get back to winning ways.
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