Tipping / Timeform / 09 October 2009 /

Hills is in the saddle on three Hamdam Al Maktoum rides this Saturday. Can this much derided jockey land a treble? Timeform's Kieran Packman assesses his chances...

There have been many descriptions of jockey Richard Hills over the years, some effusive, many more detrimental, although the pick may be that he is 'literally riding on the crest of a wave', which was attributed to Tanya Stephenson earlier this year!

If there is a rare consensus amongst the punting public, it may be that Hills, along with fellow weighing-room target Richard Hughes, has largely enjoyed a better season this term than he has for many previous campaigns. Supporters and knockers will get the chance to back or lay Hills accordingly on Saturday when he takes three rides at Ascot for loyal patron Hamdan Al Maktoum, aboard a trio who have excellent claims on paper. This follows his treble at the track a fortnight ago.

First up is Taajub in the Cornwallis Stakes at 14:50. Suspiciously a runner-up three times from four starts, his only win came in a maiden, ripe to be taken on surely? Maybe, but his latest pair of second places both came in warm company and he's the Timeform ratings pick as a result. He chased home Showcasing at York in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes before doing too much too soon over a trip perhaps too far when nailed late by Swilly Ferry in a valuable sales race at Doncaster.

For further gloss, the third and fourth from Doncaster both won valuable pots themselves on their next outings. The drop to the minimum trip could prove a masterstroke given how he travels and, as long as there's no traffic problems, Hills could well be up and running.

Next up is Azizi in the Autumn Stakes at 16:40 who, like Taajub, is trained by William Haggas, a trainer who's posted a dozen winners in the last four weeks. Unlike Taajub, Azizi has shown he has no problem getting his head in front, as he's won three of his most recent four outings, the only defeat coming when getting going all too late against fellow improver Red Badge at Newmarket. This step up to Group company is a rise in class, but his nursery form is about as strong as it gets in that sphere this term. Dubawi Phantom represents a solid formline having been third in the Solario last time and he's respected, along with the lightly-raced Stags Leap. Azizi is the stand-out on ratings though and has conditions to suit. Double in the bag?

If he's to complete the proposed treble, it will be aboard Mutamaashi in the competitive handicap at 17:15. Also in the care of Haggas, this progressive three-year-old won with something to spare at Chester two weeks ago, that following an eye-catching fast-finishing run at Lingfield on his previous start. This is no easy pickings, with Wintercast and Dangerous Midge amongst a host of plausible dangers but, only raised 3lb by the official assessor, he could well maintain his upward curve with variables to suit. The treble is on.

Oh, and he also rides course specialist Record Breaker in the 15:30, for those fans who sense a yankee...

Fancy backing the treble? Go straight to the bet here.

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