Today's tips: Racing preview and best bets
By David Massey
18:00 · SAT September 07, 2024
Rory Delargy and David Massey return with a look ahead to Saturday's racing and they have three bets including in the Sprint Cup.
Racing betting tips: Saturday September 7
0.5pts e.w Swingalong in the 3.35 Haydock at 13/2 (1/5 1,2,3,4 Ladbrokes, min 11/2)
1pt win Rebel Territory in the 1.35 Ascot at 7/1 (Hills, General 13/2, min 6/1)
0.5pts e.w Pak Army in the 5.50 Stratford at 17/2 (Hills, min 15/2)
"I think he's absolutely nailed on to run his race" | Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock - Preview & Tips
1:50 Haydock
Master Builder had been a non-runner a couple of times previously, David Menuisier withdrawing him because it was thought the ground was too quick, but he took his chance despite the fast ground in the Melrose at York last time out anyway and it turns out he’s absolutely fine on it, running his best race to date when third to Tabletalk and doing plenty of good late work in the process, looking a thorough stayer at this trip.
It will dry back a bit at Haydock but it won’t be as quick as York regardless, but he looks the type to keep improving throughout the autumn and is clearly the one to beat here.
2:25 Haydock
Oneforthegutter has yet to actually win over this trip but you can’t argue with two of his last three efforts when trying it, beaten under a length in the Racing League at Yarmouth in July and then when a three-length third to Magical Zoe in the Tote Ebor at York last time out, a cracking effort. Ryan Moore taking over in the saddle can only be a plus and the Ian Williams yard continues to go well, so there’s a lot to like for the price.
Knightswood caught just about everybody’s eye when an unlucky 1½l fifth to his stable companion Align The Stars at Goodwood two starts ago, constantly denied a run when he required one, and off the back of that was well fancied to win the stayers handicap at York last time out. He travelled well there but simply appeared not to stay the extended two mile trip, fading out of things late, and this drop back to 1m6f should suit him well. He has the inside stall to work from too, and has enough plus points to make him of interest as well.
3:35 Haydock
A couple of interest for us in the Sprint Cup.
The more obvious of the pair is SWINGALONG, who finished a close fourth in this last year after racing alone up the stands rail, a good effort in the circumstances. He’s shown he’s capable of mixing it at Group 1 level this term with narrow defeats in the Jubilee at Royal Ascot and again last time in the July Cup at Newmarket, fending off a whole host of challengers from the two furlong pole until finally succumbing to the last one, Mill Stream.
Stall 15 means he’s not quite as poorly drawn as last year and there isn't a lot of pace surrounding him, so William Buick ought to be able to gain track position fairly easily.
Kind of Blue needs to improve on the figures, but he has come forward with each run to date having made his debut as recently as April. It cannot be understated how unexposed he is in relation to his rivals here, and he has run with tremendous credit in Group races on his last three starts despite the fact that he’s been hindered by his relative lack of experience. Every run is an education for him, and while he didn’t take a jolt forward in form terms when beaten a head by Givemethebeatboys in the Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh last time, he was finishing best, and Danny Muscutt probably wishes he’d asked for his effort slightly sooner as it took the son of Blue Point a few strides to gather himself before quickening.
Kind of Blue appears held by Inisherin on Commonwealth Cup running (beaten four lengths into fourth) and by Elite Status, who beat him a length in the Hackwood Stakes, but he has improved from a BHA rating of 90 going into Ascot to a current mark of 109, which is testament to his progress, and it would be folly to assume that he has reached his peak after just five lifetime starts. I’m banking on there being more to come, and Kind of Blue will relish a strong pace under today’s conditions.
1:35 Ascot
It’s hard to forget how easily REBEL TERRITORY destroyed a good field in the 2023 Victoria Cup here, beating Biggles (who himself was a ready winner of the Bunbury Cup two starts later) four lengths in soft ground, and the more rain that falls on Friday the happier he’s likely to be.
He wasn’t seen again in 2023 after that win, but came back from a long absence to run well at Goodwood a fortnight ago, shaping nicely in midfield behind the improving Qirat, and that run should have blown a few cobwebs away. In retrospect, it looked very much a warm up for this, and as long as he goes the right way from that return run, he has a great chance here.
3:55 Ascot
In a race at Goodwood last time where the highest five stalls provided four of the first five home, there is clearly plenty to be gleaned from digging through the lower draws for hard luck stories. Rohaan was one such story, and he may have had a middle draw on the day, but ended up trying to make his challenge furthest towards the far rail and shaped much better than the result at a track which is hardly ideal.
Something of an Ascot specialist, Rohaan tends to finish strongly from off the pace and although more inconsistent than in his youth, he retains a high level of ability. He looked a picture in the preliminaries and appears to be in much better form than his midfield finish would suggest. A return to this stiffer track will be very much in his favour and he is 6lb lower in the weights than Goodwood today, which is a fact which may bypass a few.
5:50 Stratford
A really interesting little contest where your eye is first drawn to Rubies Or Gold, who has been handicapped very quickly by Christian Williams (didn’t see a racecourse until 25th July) and did show a bit more at Newton Abbot just a week ago, but the yard is 0-14 with handicap debutants over the past couple of years and Christian does like to take his time with them. On top of which, Rubies Or Gold has looked like he needs further already, and this trip on this sharp track might not be enough of a test.
PAK ARMY has been in good form, possibly hitting the front a bit too soon when beaten three-quarters of a length here two starts ago, and did little wrong when third at Newton Abbot last time. There’s a change of headgear today, which has worked in the past, and there’s no reason for him not to go well again.
Similar comments apply to Calin Baton Rouge, who has refound his mojo since leaving Warren Greatrex and joining the Pogsons, easily winning back-to-back handicaps at Uttoxeter and Market Rasen. He could be called the winner a long way out at Rasen too, travelling so well throughout, and the only question is whether a 10lb rise will stop him. I suspect it isn't enough, and he has every chance of the hat-trick.
Published at 0930 BST 07/09/24
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