After a couple of weeks off, I’m keen to get back amongst the winners and I’ve got two strong fancies for Saturday’s card – a confident win bet at Kempton, plus one at big odds I’m keen on each-way in the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock.
3:10 Kempton – BECKFORD’S FOLLY (11/4 generally)
In the last ten years, Charlie Appleby has sent three runners to this race:
- 2015 – Rouleau WON
- 2020 – Cludbridge RUNNER-UP BY A NOSE
- 2022 – Mischief Magic WON
That shows the master trainer doesn’t enter his horses for this Group 3 unless he feels they have a good chance of landing the honours, and I think it could pay dividends to side with his runner this year – BECKFORD’S FOLLY.
The lightly-raced Godolphin runner doesn’t have the experience of some of his rivals in here, but he’s won two of his three races to date, including a cosy win under a penalty last time out. That race he won was the same race connections won with Shadow Of Light the previous year, so hopefully Beckford’s Folly can prove as good as that one!
With usual jockey William Buick riding at Haydock on Saturday, connections have found a more than adequate replacement in the form of Oisin Murphy, and he has an impressive 38% strike-rate when riding for Charlie Appleby. The danger will likely be First Legion, who has far more experience, but has failed to win since his debut run back in May, and I have a feeling he’ll find Beckford’s Folly too good here. The Godolphin runner rates my strongest win fancy of the day on Saturday, and I’m fully expecting him to go off much shorter than his current odds of 11/4 (correct at time of writing).
3:35 Haydock – FLORA OF BERMUDA (12/1 generally)
The Betfair Sprint Cup looks an absolute cracker and one of the best betting races of the week too, with all but the favourite set to go off at each-way prices. I do think Lazzat will be tough to beat if on song, but with the remainder of the field all much bigger prices I’m happy to try and take him on. The one I’ve come down on the side on is FLORA OF BERMUDA.
Andrew Balding’s 4YO filly did finish behind Lazzat at Ascot, but wasn’t too far behind and was caught further back than ideal in the race, so I’d fancy her chances of finishing closer to that rival this time around. Her last run saw her completely blow the start, and jockey James Doyle gave her an easy time of things once he realised his chances were gone, so I’m happy to forgive her that run.
P J McDonald is back on board here and he seems to get on well with her (record on board reads 1st, 2nd, 3rd from three races), so I’m hopeful she can go closer than when fifth in this race last year. She met plenty of trouble in running in last year’s renewal, so with a clearer route, I think she’s the standout each-way play in the race to take on the favourite with.
SATURDAY SELECTIONS
3:10 Kempton – BECKFORD’S FOLLY (11/4 generally)
3:35 Haydock – FLORA OF BERMUDA (12/1 generally)
*Odds correct at time of posting – 8:35pm Thursday 4th September
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Please note that although Tom has uploaded the tips, he is not our Racing Club Insider – the insider will remain anonymous!
