Saturday ITV Racing Tips & Preview

The form of the comeback win recorded by BATTAASH (Best price 11-4) over course and distance has been enhanced by the runner-up, Koropick, who was successful in Group company last week, and the three-year-old produced a rare burst of acceleration to score in style on his return so could be hard to resist late on. There is always a slight concern that a lightly-raced sprinter may not reproduce that level just a couple of weeks on, but there was plenty to admire in the manner of that victory and he should be thereabouts again if he gains some luck in running.

The form of the Hunt Cup could have a bearing on the race with the admirable Gm Hopkins (7th), Master The World (8th), Hors De Combat (13th) and GEORGE WILLIAM (22nd) all locking horns once more. Either because of a poor draw or trouble in running, no member of the quartet could land a telling blow at the Royal meeting and were left in arrears of the front-running Zhui Feng who was given a masterful ride from the front to score. George William could recapture the winning thread from a better berth today as Richard Hannon’s gelding had previously looked progressive in some hot handicaps and should get a good toe into the race from the likes of Naval Warfare and Rusumaat.

The form of the Royal Ascot handicap won by Con Te Partiro is well represented here with third-home PACOS ANGEL (Best price 11-4) renewing rivalries with Queen Of Time (4th), Dancing Breeze (7th) and Tisbutadream (9th). The subsequent performances of runner-up Rain Goddess, placed in Group One company at the weekend, and fifth-placed Asking who landed a Premier handicap prior to claiming third in a Fairyhouse Group Three, suggests the form should be worth following. Pacos Angel travelled like a dream until her run flattened out a little late on and she narrowly gains the nod at the expense of Queen Of Time

Some critics have already labelled this season’s Classic generation as sub-standard but Barney Roy, Eminent and most notably CLIFFS OF MOHER (Best price 9/4) have the opportunity to dispel that theory in today’s Coral-Eclipse Stakes. The son of Galileo was barely fit enough to do himself justice at Chester yet still landed the Dee Stakes with authority before looking to have the Derby in safe keeping until the last hundred yards when agonisingly overhauled by stablemate Wings Of Eagles in the dying strides. While delighted to have procured another Investec Derby, there was a sense after the race that trainer Aidan O’Brien and those at Coolmore were disappointed Cliffs Of Moher was beaten by a less fashionable stablemate, one with decidedly less appeal when he heads to stud. Perhaps the Ballydoyle operation have learned from Derby day by entering just two runners including a pacemaker in today’s mid-summer feature therefore trying to avoid lightning from striking twice.

HUMBLE HERO (Best price 3-1) who has already run well at this track on debut and looks a strong stayer in the evidence of his three runs to date. The prospect of plenty of pace courtesy of the likes of Mister Manduro, Never Surrender, Dominating and Look My Way could play into the hands of the quietly progressive selection which goes handicapping off a very fair mark with more improvement to come over this trip. The one-time Derby entry has displayed a trait of starting sluggishly, but I’m hopeful a pace duel may allow him to find his way into the race and he has looked a strong galloper in his starts to date so should make an impact late.

Abingdon was tremendously impressive in dismissing some inferior rivals at Pontefract a fortnight ago and holds bright prospects of following up providing those exertions haven’t taken their toll. However, there could be more to come from AJMAN PRINCESS (Best price 9/2) if conditions don’t deteriorate. The selection’s speed was blunted in a similar contest here last time won by Bateel, but she had previously excelled on a sound surface at Goodwood when quickening smartly to rout a decent field and there could be more to come now she returns to this venue.

Shraaoh has been the ante-post mover for this race, but he has been made favourite for three of his last four starts though and has been beaten on every occasion so needs to start delivering. BROROCCO (Best price 8-1) hasn’t enjoyed the best of fortune this season as he was held up in a slowly-run race when second at Chester before finding trouble in running at Epsom last time. He has major claims with the step up in trip looking to suit, while KAPSTADT (Best price 14-1) is another to consider on the back of an authoritative Newmarket victory. His yard landed a nice handicap at Newcastle last weekend and their gelding could be over priced given he could find further improvement for the step up in trip.