Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Sunday including Group 1 fancies at three tracks

Hoppegarten, 14:40 - Back Almeric @ 3/14.00

Andrew Balding-trained Almeric could go close in this Hoppegarten Group One in the colours that were carried to victory in 2021 by future Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Alpinista.

The grey colt, who has a Listed success to his name, has been running against top-class opponents so far this term, featuring in Group races won by the likes of Ombudsman and Rebel's Romance respectively in recent outings.

The son of Study Of Man has been gaining some valuable experience but remains unexposed at this level and over this mile-and-a-half trip. There could be further improvement to come from the lightly raced four-year-old and he may be worth supporting again.

Deauville, 15:05 - Back Distant Storm @ [SP]

8

Distant Storm

• J: Billy Loughnane
• T: Charlie Appleby
• F:

Hoping to make it third time lucky this season following two defeats in Classics, Night Of Thunder colt Distant Storm makes appeal in calmer waters as he drops into Group Three company over this mile trip for Charlie Appleby.

The Godolphin runner has been beaten only by Bow Echo and Gstaad this term, two of the best horses from this current crop of Classic contenders, and could still be capable of showing further progression having already shaped with great promise.

He has placed twice at the top level in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Irish equivalent at the Curragh, having also finished third to the hugely talented, sadly ill-fated Gewan in the Dewhurst Stakes last season during his juvenile campaign.

On debut, the €1.9 million purchase beat subsequent dual Group One winner Constitution River as well as Italian Derby winner Venetian Prince to make a successful start on the July Course, before going on to claim Group Three honours in convincing fashion by four-and-three-quarter-lengths.

An exciting prospect whose ceiling of ability remains unknown, Distant Storm has enough talent to pose a threat at this level and holds solid claims under Billy Loughnane.

Bet of the day: Prix Maurice de Gheest, Deauville, 15:40 - Back True Love @ 7/42.75

12

True Love (Ire)

• J: W. M. Lordan
• T: Aidan O'Brien, Ireland
• F:

Likeable filly True Love was only beaten half-a-length by Thesecretadversary in her previous Group One appearance at this venue. She drops slightly in trip over an extended 6f here, which is within her capabilities having landed top-class honours in the Cheveley Park Stakes last year, showing plenty of speed as a sprinter.

The daughter of No Nay Never has shown versatility too, having won the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket earlier this term, beating Precise, who went on to reverse the form at the Curragh to win her own Classic for Ballydoyle. True Love is a tough and formidable filly on her day, who has plenty of experience against tough opposition. She has run consistently well throughout her career and should put in another bold bid for Aidan O'Brien.

Phoenix Stakes, The Curragh, 16:00 - Back Velozee E/W @ 11/112.00

8 (6)

Velozee (Ire)

• J: William James Lee
• T: P. Twomey, Ireland
• F: 11483

• SBK 16/1
• EXC 19.5

Holding each-way claims for Paddy Twomey, Velozee is one to note in this Group One contest over 6f. She made a winning start at Cork earlier this term, before recording a convincing Listed success at this venue over the minimum distance.

The daughter of Sioux Nation couldn't land a blow on subsequent Queen Mary Stakes winner Victorious in her following outing at Group Three level, but she didn't get the run of things when lining up at Royal Ascot and is capable of better.

Whilst she could only manage third on her return to Group Three company when last seen, she could be worth keeping the faith in as she's only making her sixth career start and could still be learning as she gains experience. She has shaped with great potential and might be capable of showing enough progression to make the frame under Billy Lee in her first Group One assignment.

Deauville, 16:15 - Back Regional @ [SP]

5

Regional

• J: Callum Rodriguez
• T: Edward Bethell
• F:

Ed Bethell-trained Regional was far from disgraced at Royal Ascot when last seen in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, but didn't give his best running and should fare much better in calmer waters here.

Dropping significantly in grade, the experienced eight-year-old ran well in the Group One on this card 12 months ago, finishing in fourth behind Sajir, therefore should be able to hold his own in Listed company this time around.

The versatile performer has form over both 5f and 6f and finished an excellent third to American Affair in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot last year over the minimum trip. He has proven form at this level, experience at the track, and can go close under Callum Rodriguez.

The Curragh, 16:35 - Back Go Athletico @ 5/16.00

1 (10)

Go Athletico (Fr)

• J: R. P. Whelan
• T: Adrian McGuinness, Ireland
• F: 70300262

• SBK 7/2
• EXC 5.6

Eight-year-old gelding Go Athletico was only narrowly denied in a competitive 15-runner handicap at Galway when last seen. He remains on a workable mark of 81 despite being upped 4lb for his recent second-placed effort, currently 5lb lower than when winning a 16-runner handicap over an extended 6f here last summer.

The Ado McGuinness-trained contender makes appeal at the weights and should be able to make his presence felt in this field. In the hands of Ronan Whelan, he can go close as he bids for a tenth career success in his 56th start, with winning course form and plenty of experience in his favour.

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