David Massey has five bets across this afternoon's feature meetings.
Racing betting tips: Saturday March 29
0.5pts e.w Rhythm Master in the 1:50 Doncaster at 20/1 (General - 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6)
0.5pts e.w Spirit Of Acklam in the 1:50 Doncaster at 10/1 (Paddy Power & BetVictor 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6 - min 9/1)
1pt e.w Lattam in the 3:35 Doncaster at 10/1 (General - 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6)
0.5pts e.w Muhib in the 4:45 Doncaster at 25/1 (General - 1/5 1,2,3,4,5, min 20/1)
0.5pts e.w Corsican Caper in the 5:20 Doncaster at 14/1 (General - 1/5 1,2,3,4,5)
1:50 Doncaster
Rhythm Master is going to be ignored in the market as a fully exposed 7-y-o but he definitely holds each-way claims from stall 1. Rated 103 at his peak for James Horton, he never really got going in his first season for Geoff Harker last year but on more than one occasion gave the impression the engine was still there, and it was a most eyecatching run on his reappearance at Newcastle two weeks ago, staying on nicely from the rear without ever being asked for maximum effort.
The one we like here is the scopey Spirit of Acklam, who has raced only twice at a mile, winning a 2-y-o novice on yielding ground at Ayr and running up to his best when third at Southwell on his final start. He raced over further in between those efforts, taking in the London Gold Cup at Newbury on his second outing last year but finding fast ground all against him. He travelled like the winner on his next two starts at ten furlongs before finishing a little weakly and although he’s by Cracksman, we think he will prove best at up to a mile when getting cut in the ground. He wears first-time cheekpieces here and promises to progress again given his physique (Timeform call him ‘strong, lengthy’) and he’s likely to be helped also by a gelding operation at the end of last year.
3:35 Doncaster
In more recent times, looking for something unexposed that has the potential to be Group class or has been the way forward, but there doesn’t appear, at first glance anyway, that there’s anything like that in here this year and this has much more of an old-fashioned Lincoln about it.
Lattam is a blindingly obvious each-way start point. Second to Mr Professor in this last year, he’s goes well fresh (record after a 50+ day break reads 113252), has plenty of big-field handicap form and trainer Julie Camacho is in good form, with two recent winners. A midfield draw is probably ideal for one that needs a bit of cover, as he does, and whilst there’s not much wriggle room left in his mark, he’s clearly got place chances again, at worst.
4:45 Doncaster
Muhib was made a selection at Newcastle last time out, having shown some ability on more than one of his previous four starts, but the race was not run to suit him, as they dawdled and the race turned into a sprint. After getting badly outpaced as the tempo lifted, he stuck on willingly to his task and was closing the placed horses down again as the line approached.
This will only be his second go on turf, but he’s still open to plenty of improvement and a better pace on here should help his cause.
5:20 Doncaster
Powerful Response was beaten a shade under seven lengths when fourth in a division of this last year, that run coming off a break before he won next time up at Nottingham. This time around he comes here fitter after runs on the all-weather in January and February and is 7lb lower in the weights, so there are reasons for thinking he could go well again.
Corsican Caper was fourth in the other division of this last year, plugging on after getting a bit outpaced and probably not best placed when making his challenge on the far rail (winner and second both more in the middle of the track). He ideally wants further than this but these races are almost always run at a good pace and that helps him run through beaten horses in the closing stages. He looks an each-way bet to nothing, and if they do go too quick (and the forecast pace looks strong) he’s half a chance of copping the lot.
2:40 Kempton
Balmacara looks the safest option in a trappy Rosebery. Very consistent until flopping in the Cambridgeshire last term, he’s well drawn for one who likes to dictate terms and if he can get an unhassled lead, he is likely to be hard to pass. Grey Cuban, drawn on his inside, is the potential fly in the ointment, but it’s hard to name any other potential front runners in the race, and I can see the pace holding up.
3:15 Kempton
Soprano is the one to beat here, but is priced accordingly, and I’ll be with last year’s third Rose Prick each way. Ed Walker’s mare lacks the class of the favourite but is very consistent at this level and comes to hand early. She is a straightforward ride who is likely to be well placed from the off and won’t mind what tempo the race is run at. I’ll be disappointed if she can’t pick up more place money at an attractive price.
Published at 0930 GMT on 29/03/25
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