Saturday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

VAGUELY ROYAL (best price 12/1) has been off the track for 69 days, so presumably he has been deliberately kept fresh for this prize, and with his form and overall profile holding up to the closest scrutiny, John & Thady Gosden’s gelding should be capable of making his presence felt off an opening mark of 87.

Runner-up in two strong maidens earlier on this season, the son of Galileo was presented with a seemingly straightforward task at Doncaster when last seen and after travelling well throughout, he only had to be nudged out in the closing stages to win as his odds suggested.

Gelded thereafter, he shapes like just the type who will appreciate a good pace on a galloping track and with fast ground also seen as a big plus towards his chances, this lightly raced three-year-old can add his name to the list of classy winners of this contest.

FOX JOURNEY (best price 12/1) is another who comes into the conversation based on his recent body of work and with the step up in trip and favourable ground conditions seen as huge positives, Sir Michael Stoute’s grey also warrants more than a second look.

Well backed to land a competitive handicap at Newbury two starts ago, the son of Roaring Lion duly captured the prize and in doing so, he claimed the scalps of subsequent winners, Dasho Lennie and Temporize. On to Goodwood last time out and although he got beaten a fair way by the massively improved, The Goat, he performance in finishing a creditable third still meant he beat many other in-form middle-distance three-year-olds and with the stamina he showed to slog it out in the latter stages that day suggesting he stays well, today’s extra distance should hold no fears.

WATCH MY TRACER (NAP) (best price 5/2) hails from a yard still firing on all cylinders with their two-year-olds and with this competitive and valuable prize being the target for George Scott’s inmate for quite some time, the well-orchestrated plan looks set to be realised.

Good enough to finish a respectable seventh in an above-average renewal of The Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, the son of Dandy Man had his sights significantly lowered on his latest start at Windsor and, as his position in the market suggested, he made light work of a field he had ever right to beat on form.

That said, stall 14 of 14 was no bargain, but the way he got over from his outside pitch before quickening right away was impressive to say the least and it was just the kind of confidence booster he would have needed after being in the lion’s den a month earlier.

A scopey colt who covers the ground well with his long stride, today’s track and ground should prove to be right up his alley and drawn right next to where all the fancied horses are housed, everything should pan out lovely for him in his bid to lay down a potent challenge late on.

Probably not the classiest renewal of the Ebor ever run, so it’s easy to see why the progressive Sweet William is a strong choice with many to capture the big pot. However, he does take a huge chunk out of the market, and there looks to be better value options to be plundered in the shape of ADJUVANT (best price 12/1) and SCAMPI (best price 12/1) who each bring solid C&D form to the party.

The former was a creditable third in last year’s Melrose, so his valuable track form will hopefully not be lost on him on his return visit and having chased home the favourite last time out at Goodwood, there is a valid case to be made for Michael Bell’s gelding to get closer, or even turn the around the form with his old rival on better ground.

Having previously run three solid races up to that point already this season, including when fifth in the strongly run Northumberland Plate over two miles, the combination of his proven stamina, liking for fast ground and today’s track make him a must for shortlist.

The latter has had a slightly more industrious campaign, but he seems to be holding his form together nicely. His latest victory at Ascot bore testimony to his toughness and his speed figure strongly suggested he continues to improve.

Too far back from a poor draw in the John Smith’s Cup on his previous visit to the Knavesmire, Andrew Balding’s inmate was seen to much better effect over 1m4f at the Dante meeting and with a hold-up run style that is often rewarded here on the round track, it is easy to see him ticking off rivals one by one down the straight.

SNOWCAPPED (best price 13/2) did extremely well to finish third considering how far back she was turning for home at Naas last time out and now returning to a venue that saw her to best advantage the time before, Jessica Harrington’s filly is fancied to make the breakthrough at this level.

Shuffled back through the pack in the early stages at the Co Kildare venue, the daughter of Churchill found herself in no man’s land as the field turned for home, but to her great credit, she finished off her race strongly enough she was able to capture some valuable black type and having proven her more than belongs at this level and much better than her current rating, connections are fully entitled to give her another crack at a similar set of opponents.

Back at a track where she’s run well twice (should be unbeaten), well drawn and with trip to suit, she can not only gain stable bragging rights over her higher rater counterpart Village Voice but ruffle the feathers of several other fancied rivals.

DANDY LICHIOUS (best price 18/1) ran a good deal better than his finishing position suggested at Bellewstown last time out and with the significant factor of that effort being his first one post gelding operation, Ger Lyon’s inmate is fancied to outrun his morning odds on his first start in handicap company.

After not showing much on his first two starts, drastic measures were in taken in a bid to turnaround his fortunes and on the evidence of his display at the Meath venue, there now appears to be something in the tank to work on. Slowly away and last but one turning for home around the sharp track, he ticked off rivals one by one down the straight and after running into a bit of cul-de-sac with a furlong to run when gathering up a head of steam, it is safe to say he may have finished a good deal closing with a clearer passage.

Up to now, the race in question 50 days ago has thrown up subsequent winners in the shape of Warnie (at listed level), and Captain Maverick, so even though an opening mark of 78 seems a little aggressive by the assessor, the son of Dandy Man might prove to be equal to the task back on a more conventional track.