Saturday Racing Tips: Back Astronereus to null the Irish challenge in the Ebor

Under-priced, over-rated and over here.

Hardly the influx of moneyed US troops which caused the local women's heads to turn in WWII, but the massed Irish ranks that are dominating the Ebor market certainly aren't doing it for me at the prices in the 15:45.

Obviously, Clondaw Warrior, Quick Jack and Fields Of Athenry have leading claims but they take out a massive chunk of the market in this 20-runner race and I am not convinced they deserve to.

In fact, the one I most fancy of the Irish quintet is Wicklow Brave, though that may be because I have a sweet spot for the horse after I tipped him up at 33-1 to win the County Hurdle in March (hands up, that was a gratuitous mention).

But I think 1m6f on a flat track could be ideal for the horse. That Cheltenham win notwithstanding, he is not the strongest of stayers over hurdles, and he obviously didn't get home in the Queen Alexandra.

I can see him running well under his 7lb claimer but again I come back to the price of these Irish horses. He should be a bit bigger than 12.011/1 in such a competitive race.

Astronereus could be the one to keep the home fires burning at 16.015/1. Basically, he looks rock solid.

Of course, you can argue that he is more exposed than the Irish coming into this, but there is a fair case to be made that he is still improving, too.

The form of his Newmarket win in May is about as strong as we have seen in 1m4f handicaps this season and he has continued to improve when stepped up to this trip on his last two starts, winning over course and distance last month and when third to Blue Wave at Goodwood last time, where I think he could have been given a more aggressive ride.

And, coming back to this "exposed" angle, it was surprising to clock that he has only had 11 runs, so there could be plenty more to come from him yet.

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Convey is sure to be popular in the 14:00 after his eye-catching return at Goodwood, as is Mahsoob back down in trip, but nothing excites me at the prices.

And the same is true of the Gimcrack at 15:10, in which I am sure all eyes will be on Finnegan as he enters the paddock.

The talk before Royal Ascot was that this one was the Wesley Ward banker of the meeting, but he had to miss the engagement and rocks up here instead.

He is favourite on the back of scant evidence in the States, but his price could well plummet further if he turns up looking like a muscled, athletic shire horse, as many of his stablemates have done on these shores.

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I know it is a 20-runner field full of unexposed 3yos but I wasn't expecting double-figure prices to be available about Wonder Laish given the form of the William Haggas stable this week. Back him at 10.09/1 in the 14:35.

You can't read too much into his 15-length stroll in a weak Lingfield maiden in May other than he is a colt of some potential.

But the fact that his trainer runs him in such a competitive race after a three-month absence tells a story. Not least because Haggas would have had the favourite in this had he run his recent Haydock winner Dawn Missile instead (though of course it could be that horse had a setback this week).

I'd be inclined to trust the judgement of Haggas more than most when it comes to placing horses and this half-brother to Group 1 Hong Kong Cup winner Akeed Mofeed could be thrown in off a mark of 87.

And he was entered in Group races at the start of the season too, which is another pointer to the fact that he could be a very well-handicapped horse. Haggas won with this race with Guarantee, also having just his fourth start, in 2012.

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Over at Sandown, I think Talmada is the one to beat in the 13:45 but I'll stop short of putting her up as a bet.

She clearly didn't run her race when gunned from the front over 1m1f at the Curragh last time, but she steps down in class here and on the form of her Newcastle second to Covert Love, or run behind Secret Gesture at York back in May, she could outclass these.

But I am not wholly convinced about her over this 1m trip, stiff finish or not.

The Solario Stakes at 14:15 is not really my kind of betting race but They Seek Him Here interests me (providing he is withdrawn on account of the ground at Salisbury tonight, that is).

The going at Sandown is currently good to soft and that should suit this promising 2yo, who apparently didn't appreciate the quick conditions when an improved fourth in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket last time.

I suspect that he could make a bold bid to follow up his stablemate Aktabantay's win in this race last year but there are simply too many unknowns for me to get involved. Not least the fact that he is still due to run at Salisbury tonight, at the time of writing...).

In fact, the whole Sandown card on Channel 4 is a betting no-show for me, but I was tempted by Basateen in the 14:50.

He has clearly had his problems since his Acomb third last year but he has been dropped 2lb since his run last time, and the blinkers are on, which looks a sensible move as he didn't travel too kindly at Haydock. And this easier ground may suit.

I can't put him up with any confidence, though, so I won't.

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However, even though he is drawn in stall nine, I can't let Ocean Tempest go unbacked in the 15:30 at Chester.

The case for him is straightforward. He is three from three at the track, and I thought there was more promise in his run at Goodwood last time - his first since March - than his 15th of 18 placing suggests.

He has dropped to a mark 13lb lower than when winning this race last season, with George Buckle taking another 5lb off, and he could take a hell of a lot of beating if he can get a prominent position early doors. I imagine this has been the plan for a while.

Recommended Bets

Back Wonder Laish at 10.09/1 in the 14:35 at York
Back Ocean Tempest at 15.014/1 in the 15:30 at Chester
Back Astronereus at 16.015/1 in the 15:45 at York

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