Four bets from our resident pundit, including two each-way fancies at Meydan.
4.15 Meydan
Raven’s Tower is easily the best horse to have raced at the ‘off-carnival’ fixtures and there’s every chance, based on his times, he could make total mincemeat of today’s opposition. Despite, however, the obvious claims of making him a lumpy bet at even money, the percentage call has to be to play MUTAHADDITH (best price 11-2) each-way given the way the race is likely to pan out and in the hope the favourite just has an off day. Well beaten by Raven’s Corner when they last met back in January, the son of Shamardal has improved significantly since and now he seems to be seeing out his races much better than before, a good break and an uncontested lead from the inside box should see him at least give his old rival something to think about.
4.50 Meydan
As in most dirt races run out in the desert, a good break and getting on to that favoured inside rail is often the key to success (certainly proved to be the case on Super Saturday last weekend) and with ACTIVE SPIRIT (NAP) (best price 4-1) having the run-style, and the draw, to fill out that criteria, Doug Watson’s charge looks the one to be with at the prices. Although it took him a while to score during this campaign, he was up against the likes of Stormadal and North America (best dirt miler at the carnival by a distance) on his previous outings and he certainly looked in rude health the way he skipped to victory here 12 days ago. Once obtaining the early advantage, the son of Pivotal never looked like getting caught and although he’s probably better over distances beyond a mile, his one sole success over the massive odds-on chance Blue Creek back at last year’s carnival would certainly give him a great chance of posting another C&D win next to his name.
6.45 Newcastle
Dubai One is obviously the one most eyes are drawn to down the foot of the weights and with the potential of more to come, she could easily take this before going on to better things. She has, however, been predictably well found in the market and, as a result, there may be some value to be had with the likes of CAPTAIN DION (best price 7-2) and TATLISU (best price 18-1) who have the all-important track form already in the bag. The former has been in really good form of late and following a decisive victory over today’s C&D in the first-time visor two starts ago, Kevin Ryan’s inmate backed up that effort with another solid display at Wolverhampton last time out. Showing bright speed throughout, the Equiano gelding just failed to see out the 7f at the Dunstall Park venue, but with that performance indicating he can certainly hold his own in Class 3 company, he should give another good account dropping back in trip. The latter arrives here off a slightly disappointing effort over today’s course last time out, but the race wasn’t run to suit and it was over a trip which probably stretches him nowadays. Given a well-run 6f over a stiff track as he got three starts ago when accounting for the rapidly-improved Doc Sportello, and he’s a match for most in this sort of grade, and he looks way overpriced on the evidence of that display at top price 16-1.
