Catching Pigeons column with all the weekend gossip
Our gossip column is back with news of a couple of unraced two-year-olds worth watching closely on their respective debuts this weekend.
1535 Haydock - Gabanzo
Garbanzo can give his Cesarewitch hopes a lift with a big run in the Betfair Exchange Old Borough Cup Handicap at Haydock on Saturday. Ed Walker must have been sad to see the selection head to Dr Richard Newland's yard for a hurdling campaign after a very solid four-year-old Flat season in 2018. However, his hurdling was not all it should be and he has returned for a crack at some of the remaining big staying handicaps during the back-end. A stronger horse than 12 months ago, he won well on his reappearance at Kempton last month and looks the sort to progress further. The return to a mile-and-three-quarters should suit him and he will handle the soft ground very well.
1425 Haydock - Here Comes When
Here Comes When can repeat his 2018 success in the Group Three Betfair Exchange Superior Mile. Andrew Balding will be hoping for a wet autumn for his evergreen nine-year-old, who has not seen action since his comeback effort at Sandown in May. Ground conditions should certainly be to his liking here and the fact to he is a fresh horse at this late stage of the season will also aid his cause.
1625 Kempton - Streamline
Streamline has shown his liking for Kempton already and should go well for Clive Cox in the Group Three Sun Racing Sirenia Stakes. Although he did not beat much when winning here last month, he ran a very sound race to finish third in the Roses Stakes at York last time and gave the indication that he would be suited by the step up to six furlongs.
1515 Kempton - King's Slipper
King's Slipper is another to relish this course and surface and merits serious consideration on his return from a ten-week absence in the Sun Racing London Mile Handicap Series Final. Now considered to be a horse at his best when fresh, he has been laid out for this race by Clive Cox and his preparatory work has been encouraging.
Pour Me A Drink, another Cox-trained fancy heading for the Sunbury course, met with trouble in running on more than one occasion at Newbury last time, and is better than that performance suggests. He has pleased since and could bounce back in the Top Bookmakers Handicap.
1440 Kempton - Onassis
The well bred Onassis has produced three solid performances over sprint distances so far and may be worth an interest on her handicap debut in the Sun Racing Available In App Store Nursery over seven furlongs. She receives weight from her seven rivals and gives the impression she will be suited by this more demanding test of stamina.
1335 Ascot - Business
Martyn Meade was forced to take Advertise out of Saturday's Betfair Sprint Cup but he could still have a big day as Business makes his eagerly-awaited debut in Ascot’s Italian Tourist Board Novice Stakes. The son of Siyouni, who carries the same colours as the stable's star speedster, has been impressing on the Manton gallops and is expected to take plenty of beating.
1445 Ascot - Tabarrak
Tabarrak looked unlucky not to beat Salute The Soldier on his return to handicapping for the first time in over two years at Goodwood on his latest start and a repeat performance from a two pound higher mark should see him in the money for the Cunard Handicap.
1525 York Sunday - Vega Magic
Kevin Ryan is always on or close to the money with his juveniles at York and hopes are high that his newcomer Vega Magic will make his presence felt in the Matchbook Future Stayers Novice Stakes on Sunday. The Hambleton maestro has a number of his class juveniles this season and this son of Lope de Vega has been moving nicely at home. However he will be sharper for the outing and the experience, and whatever happens here, is one to note for the future.
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