Saturday Racing Tips: Back Wadi Al Hattawi to do the business at York this afternoon

We will cut straight to the chase today as I'm in a rush and there is a lot to cover, as I fancy three quite strongly, starting with Adventure Seeker at York in the Melrose at 14:40.
 
One firm priced him up at 25-1 on Thursday night, which predictably didn't last too long, but the 17.016/1 and bigger currently available on Betfair is still very fair.
 
I imagine that this race has been the plan for him ever since he won over 1m4f here back in May. That impressive victory saw him shunted up 11lb in the weights, but time has shown that to be a fair assessment. 
 
The 2¼ length runner-up Penhill, who actually re-opposes on 5lb worse terms today, has won his last two races in thumping fashion and the third, a further 3½ lengths away, was only beaten a nose in a Haydock handicap a fortnight ago.
 
So I think the selection remains fairly treated and I thought he ran a race full of promise after a subsequent 10-week break at Goodwood last time. 
 
He may have been beaten the best part of 9 lengths there but that was a hot handicap and I don't think that Kieren Fallon gave him at all a hard race in finishing in midfield, just encouraging the horse with five waves of the whip in the last 2f rather than connecting with any force.
 
You have to take his stamina on trust, but if he stays then I think he will go very close.
 
I also have a strong fancy in the shape of Wadi Al Hattawi in the Betfred Ebor at 15:50. 
 
I believe the horse's name translates as "will definitely win if he stays"...
 
In fact, he has a remarkably similar profile to Adventure Seeker in that he is also a Dalakhani colt who was raised 11lb for winning a 1m4f handicap at York in May, and has had just the promising one run since.
 
In his case, though, his victory at this course was even more impressive, and he was value for far more than the winning distance of 1¼ lengths suggests.
 
He looked like he was going to win by the half the track when sauntering into the lead 2f out that day, only to idle and wander across the track, hopefully due to just inexperience and greenness, when in splendid isolation.
 
And don't judge him on the bare form of his seventh in the Duke Of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot either, as he got stopped in his tracks in the straight, and he actually did well to be beaten just six lengths or so in the end.
 
His stamina is a question mark, but if he gets home, I expect him to prove a lot better than a 99-rated horse.
 
The opening race on the card looks too trappy to me and the most likely winner, Farraaj, has been well found at the top of market at around 2-1, while nothing leaps out at me in the Gimcrack, though I would marginally favour Jungle Cat if I was having a bet.
 
There is some good racing at Goodwood too, and I like the look of American Hope in the 32Red Stakes at 14:55.
 
Luck hasn't been on the side of his backers on his last two starts - indeed, these are his only two turf outings to date - as he won his race on the unfavoured far side when sixth in the Britannia at Royal Ascot and then traded at the minimum price of 1.011/100 in running on Betfair when picked up close home there last time.
 
Connections not only had to endure that heartbreak but also a subsequent 5lb rise in the weights, though there is reason to believe that he remains on a winning mark.
 
The runner-up was unexposed and they pulled 2 1/2 lengths clear of the in-form Moohaarib in third, with subsequent winners also in fourth and seventh.
 
I think Shane Kelly will hold on to him for a bit longer today, and I expect him to press the button at the furlong marker.
 
He rates a fair bet at 10.09/1 or bigger.
 
The Prestige Stakes at 14:20 doesn't get my punting juices flowing and neither does the Celebration Mile, in truth, though if you want my idea of the best bets in those they are Publilia and Hors De Combat respectively.
 
Be lucky.

Recommended Bets

Back Adventure Seeker at 18.017/1 or bigger in the 14:40 at York
Back Wadi Al Hattawi at 14.013/1 or bigger in the 15:50 at York
Back American Hope at 10.09/1 or bigger in the 14:55 at Goodwood