Latest racing tips from around the major training centres
Catching Pigeons: Gossip and tips from the gallops
By Catching Pigeons
Horse Racing
Fri August 09, 2019 · 5y ago
Power Of Darkness can confirm himself on a steep upward curve at Ascot, according to our gallops guru - get all the tips from around the country.
Raise You (3.05 Haydock)
Raise You can see off the challenge of older rivals Addeybb and Wissahickon and win the Group 3 Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock on Saturday. Heavy rain is once again the order of things across the Country, and Raise You boasts some very handy form in the mud. Although never a factor after interference in the French Derby at Chantilly on his latest start, his emphatic wins on an easy surface at Newbury and Newmarket on his first two outings of the campaign suggest he belongs at this level. The form of both races look good in the context of this race, and he is reported in good form.
Miss O'Connor (2.30 Haydock)
William Haggas, trainer of Addeyb, can strike with Miss O'Connor in the Listed British Stallion Studs Dick Hern Stakes. Arguably the least exposed in this field, she has hacked up on both her outings so far and has also demonstrated the ability to handle the likely soft ground. She looks ready for the step up in class and may just have the edge in fitness over fancied rival Feliciana De Vega, who is having her first outing of the campaign after two wins from as many starts last term.
Came From The Dark (3.40 Haydock)
Came From The Dark may reward an each-way interest in the Duke Of Lancaster Own Yeomanry Handicap. His only success so far came in the heavy ground on this course in June and he should be more at home on this surface than the faster conditions he saw when a slightly disappointing sixth at Doncaster last time. The return to six from seven furlongs should also aid his cause.
Wise Counsel (4.45 Haydock)
Wise Counsel has not seen action since dead-heating with Pesto in a handicap at Sandown in mid-June, but he has been working very well on the Beechdown gallops and should give in-form Clive Cox another success in the racingtv.com Handicap. With the view to insurance against the weather on Saturday, the mud-loving three-year-old is entered at Leicester 24 hours later, and would still be worth an interest if forced to re route.
Lorelina (1.40 Ascot)
Lorelina should go well for Balding in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers Handicap at Ascot.The Kingsclere trainer is not shy when attempting to have winners at this unique fixture and he has this talented daughter of Passing Glance on a winning mark on what will be her first attempt at this marathon distance. She produced her best effort for a while when a half length fourth (after a bumpy ride in the closing stages) over an extended mile and five at Newbury last time, and she is at her most effective on the likely prevailing ground.
Power Of Darkness (2.50 Ascot)
Power Of Darkness can follow up his win at Salisbury last month in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile Handicap. With just seven outings behind him, he has more scope than most in this field, and he put a dismal second appearance of the season behind him with his win over Nicklaus at Salisbury in June. Although his three wins so far have all come at Salisbury, he should be well suited by this stiff-ish mile, and he still looks attractively weighted.
Karnavaal (4.30 Chelmsford)
Karnavaal beat the smart Awe in a novice here last October, and he can take advantage of his lightweight in the Lookers Landrover Bishop's Stortford Handicap at Chelmsford. A solid fourth to the very smart Space Blues is the best he can offer so far this season, but his disappointing performance when favourite at Sandown last time came quite quick after a gelding procedure, and it is interesting that he has been given a decent break since that run. His owner's go-to jockey Jim Crowley rides in preference to the useful Habub, and he looks nicely handicapped on the best of his form.
Soffika (3.45 Newmarket)
Sir Michael Stoute, Karnavaal's trainer, is also busy on his home turf at Newmarket, and hopes are high that impressive Pontefract winner Soffika will run big race in the Group 3 german-thoroughbred.com Sweet Solera Stakes.
Davydenko (3.10 Newmarket)
Stablemate Davydenko can atone for a disappointing run in the Britannia at Royal Ascot in the much less competitive BBAG-Sales.de Handicap.