It was another unsuccessful weekend last week, with Adonius finishing second and a really disappointing effort from Bowensonfire. I wouldn’t lose faith in him just yet though, and I could still see him popping up and winning a nice handicap chase this season.There is another good day’s racing ahead, with some quality action on the Flat and a competitive jumps card at Cartmel. The weather could play a part, so it will be worth keeping an eye on the ground conditions before having any wagers. Nothing stood out as a really strong fancy this week, so I have taken a swing at a couple at bigger prices that look capable of outrunning their odds.
13:45 Beverley – TEMPLE OF ATHENA (9/1 Generally Each Way)
This is a pretty hot Class 3 sprint, but at the prices, it looks worth chancing the locally trained TEMPLE OF ATHENA. She already has winning form over this course and distance, having scored here on soft ground on debut last summer, and a return to this stiff 5f should play to her strengths.
She made a winning return at Wolverhampton in March and has shown signs of coming back to her best on her last two starts. The pick of those efforts came in the competitive 3YO Dash at Epsom, a much stronger contest than this, where she ran a very good race to finish fourth of 16. She backed that up with a fair fourth at Lingfield last time.
This filly is now just 2lb higher than her last winning mark and has a nice draw to work from. With proven form at the track and any rain unlikely to be an issue, she looks capable of running a big race at a decent price.
14:00 Goodwood – PELLITORY (25/1 Generally Each Way)
This is obviously a really competitive 7f handicap where you could make a case for plenty, but at the time of writing, the price about PELLITORY looks pretty generous for last year’s winning yard. One concern is that he has run here twice and been below his best on both occasions, although he was far too keen at the festival and can be forgiven that effort. He may not have loads in hand off his mark, but he has been rated higher in the past, acquitted himself well in Listed company and produced some strong efforts this season.
At York, he was beaten just a head in a competitive Class 3 handicap before running below par when too keen on his next start. However, he bounced back in decisive fashion at Haydock last time, travelling powerfully through the race and looking the winner for some way before Danny Tudhope asked him to put the race to bed. He responded really well to win by three and three-quarter lengths and, despite a collision between some rivals behind him, appeared to have favourite Crimson Spirit covered. That rival had won a strong handicap on his previous start, so the form looks pretty solid.
Raised 4lb for that success, Pellitory looks capable of outrunning his odds, while any softening of the ground should be no issue for this four-year-old.
SATURDAY SELECTIONS
13:45 Beverley – TEMPLE OF ATHENA (9/1 Generally Each Way)
14:00 Goodwood – PELLITORY (25/1 Generally Each Way)
*Odds correct at time of posting – 7:21pm Friday 28th August
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Please note that although Matt has uploaded the tips, he is not our Racing Club Insider – the insider will remain anonymous!
