14.05 Beverley

REGIONAL, 2pts WIN, 13/8

The more I look at the Beverley Bullet, the more I’m struggling to look past REGIONAL (best price 13/8) despite normally wanting to find something at bigger odds. 

This Group 1 winner has placed numerous since at the highest level in addition to his Sprint Cup success at Haydock in September 2023. 

He has finished in front of Kerdos twice and while the latter is a past winner of this event, I think he’s been disappointing this season. 

Ed Bethell’s charge has continued to run well and made the frame in the King Charles at Royal Ascot for the second year in a row. 

His latest fourth in France was remarkable considering he was blind for a chunk of the race due to the blindfold issue. 

I think the drop back to five will actually be more favourable plus he’s down in class with the blinkers attached. 

Four horses that have contested the King’s Stand (King Charles) prior to this race have won three editions of this event, so that bodes well for the market leader. 

An overdue victory is imminent, so he rates a confident choice to get his head in front for the first time since his big win at Haydock almost two years ago.

14.25 Sandown

Alobayyah looked pretty special when scoring on debut but this is a different kettle of fish and I’m going to take her on at the odds in favour of two at double-figure odds.

AMERICAN GAL (best price 14/1) is well regarded by Ed Walker this filly who has won three of her six career starts, travelled like an absolute dream last time out at Ascot and finished a solid second.

She wasn’t able to sustain the late thrust of Cheshire Dancer, she baffled all the way to the line to come out second best and I reckon Kieran Shoemark can eke out a bit more form her.

He is riding at the top of his game (looked at his record in last two weeks) and will partner her for the first time. That latest effort was her first start on good ground and she has more to come.

I think she’s massively overpriced compared to a few of these and makes plenty of each-way appeal in a typically open event. Ed Walker has his team in fantastic form as well. 

The unbeaten LADY OF SPAIN (best price 16/1) has not been seen for 255 days, but she is surely the joker in the pack and the market has significantly underestimated her chances.

A winner of all four starts, she was a dominant winner of a 16-runner Listed event in France when last seen, enhancing her unblemished record on the all-weather. 

Now I know she’s making her turf/seasonal debut, which are question marks, but Roger Varian wouldn’t be taking any risks without good reason. 

At double-figure odds, and with plenty of improvement to come, I think she’s worth an each-way play to see if she’s up to this level, which I think she is. 

14.40 Chester

ORCHARD KEEPER, 0.5pts E/W, 11/1

In the Listed Chester Stakes, I’m keen to make a case for ORCHARD KEEPER (best price 11/1), despite appearing to some like she’s got no chance given her low rating compared to the others.

Roger Varian’s filly is really consistent and has raised her game since moving up in trip, having won over this distance of 1m6f at Goodwood before going down narrowly at Newmarket last time out.

This is a huge step up in class compared to her latest assignment, and she would be well handicapped if this was a handicap, but Aidan Keeley retains the ride and she won’t disgrace herself.