Horseracing Preview: Five horses to watch this weekend

Events / Graham Cunningham / 10 October 2008 / 1 Comments

There's action at Ascot, Musselburgh and Chepstow this weekend and Graham Cunningham has selected five characters that stand out as betting opportunities...

Arc weekend went from the sublime to the ridiculous with Zarkava's stunning win countered by a false start to the Prix de l'Abbaye and an embarrassing row about who had finished third in the Arc. This weekend it's back to England, Scotland and Wales for Racing UK pundit Graham Cunningham, who puts the five most interesting horses at Ascot, Musselburgh and Chepstow under the spotlight for betting.betfair readers.


1 SIR GERRY (Ascot 1.45)

James Fanshawe has had a lean season and this colt hasn't quite lived up to the high hopes held out for him back in the spring. However, this Group 3 contest looks tailor made for Sir Gerry, who ran the race of his life over course and distance to finish third behind Kingsgate Native in the Golden Jubilee at the Royal meeting.

Granted, he hasn't quite built on that since, but Sir Gerry ran very well indeed to finish third in the Diadem Stakes here last month considering he was ridden for a turn of foot in a race run at a dawdle by sprint standards. They should go a much stronger gallop this time and if that's the case then Sir Gerry's turn of foot will make him very hard to keep out of the money.


2 PRINCESS ELLIS (Musselburgh 2.10)

Time may show this Princess is dethroned late on, but surely not before those who back her at the best available pre-race price have traded out for a free bet at much shorter odds. Put simply, Princess Ellis has back to lay written all over her based on the brazen speed which saw her have the bulk of a field packed with Listed class sprinters hard at work from a long way out at Newmarket last week.

And that isn't the only piece of form which gives Eric Alston's filly a great chance here. Princess Ellis was only run down late from a wide draw by Ishetoo in a similar race over this course and distance back in August. She's drawn one from the rail in stall 2 this time - which looks a huge plus - and it would come as no surprise whatsoever to see her trading at well under 3 by the time she hits the two pole.


3 TAAMEER (Ascot 3.30)

This colt follows the same path as Nayef, who won this for Marcus Tregoning back in 2000 before scaling the heights at three and four. Nayef limbered up for this in Newbury's Haynes, Hanson & Clark Stakes and Taameer won the same race in gritty style, but he was receiving 4lb from the runner-up and considerable improvement is essential if he is to remain unbeaten at this much higher level.

Tregoning has mentioned him as a possible Derby colt, which is noteworthy, but he looked green at Newbury and may still lack experience here. Add in the presence of smart colts like Four Winds, Kite Wood, Anmar and Quai D'Orsay and this looks a tough ask for Taameer. I suspect he might fall short at this stage of his career.


4 SIREN'S GIFT (Musselburgh 3.15)

This looks every bit as hot as you would expect for a handicap with £60,000 on offer, but Siren's Gift has plenty in his favour. First, her rider David Probert remains great value for his 5lb claim as he chases the apprentice title down. Second, Siren's Gift seems to have bounced back to her very best since blinkers were fitted. And third, she has the smooth travelling style which lends itself very well to Musselburgh's fast five furlongs.

By contrast, Fullandby surely needs a stiffer test at the minimum trip, while hold-up merchant Hogmaneigh will need the gaps to come just when he needs them from stall 2. Both look potential place lays, but Siren's Gift is nicely treated and will give her each way supporters a fine run for their money.


5 CRACK AWAY JACK (Chepstow 2.00)

The fact that this gelding has been backed down to 12-1 for the Champion Hurdle suggests that someone feels he could go all the way to the top, but I'm not convinced yet. Granted, he was impressive in winning the Fred Winter at the Festival, but Paul Carberry handled him with superb stealth that day and it remains to be seen whether Jack Doyle can harness his rather headstrong talent to quite such effect.

More importantly, perhaps, Crack Away Jack has been hiked 16lb to a mark of 149 for his Cheltenham win. Hats off to him if he defies that inflated mark, but I'll be laying him for plenty early on in the expectation that he might well drift markedly once the jumps boys realise this is potentially much more competitive than some of the rose tinted Crack Away Jack fans suspect.

Comments (1)

1. Nat | 12 October 2008

   Sir Gerry (3rd) 7-2 FAV
   Princess Ellis (11th) 4-1 FAV
   Taamer (2nd) 11-4
   Siren's Gift (10th) 4-1 FAV
   Crack Away Jack (ist) 7-2 second FAV