Catching Pigeons: Gossip and tips from the gallops ahead of Sky Bet Ebor day at York
Newmarket-based Yorkshireman William Haggas can land a well-hatched plan in the Sky Bet Ebor at York on Saturday, according to our gallops guru.
Kiefer (2.25 York)
Kiefer can take a successful step up to a mile and three quarters and win the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap at York on Saturday. Eve Johnson Houghton held out high hopes for the three-year-old at the start of the season and there seemed much to look forward to when he ran a promising race on his comeback at Newbury in the spring. Although a win on the same course in May has been his only success so far, he has performed with plenty of credit in quality handicaps at Salisbury and Ascot on his last two starts, and has looked in need of this step up in trip on both occasions. He looks nicely weighted, and looks sure to run his usual sound race in a cracking betting heat.
Raheen House (3.40 York)
Raheen House is only one of two horses to have beaten the brilliant Enable, and he can bring what looks a long-held plan to a successful conclusion in the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap. It was back in April 2017 that he chased home Shutter Speed with John Gosden's superstar a head back in third, and from that conditions event, Raheen House developed into a very useful three-year-old stayer, winning a Group 3 St Leger trial before reaching a high point of 114 in the ratings. William Haggas took over the reins from Brian Meehan at the start of this season and the son of Sea The Stars has run two very good trials for this race, in Listed and Group 3 company, on this course. Both races were in smallish fields, but Raheen House looks as though he would appreciate this much more competitive environment and he seems very nicely weighted to undertake the task. Gosden's Ben Vrackie could prove the danger after his break, despite an outside draw.
Wonderwork (4.10 York)
Karl Burke has already enjoyed top-line juvenile success in the Sky Bet Lowther on the second day of this meeting, and he can follow up with another speedster Wonderwork in the Listed Julia Graves Roses Stakes. There was plenty of stable confidence behind this son of Night Of Thunder on his debut at Thirsk, and he could not have been more impressive in delivering victory in what looked a decent juvenile heat. The Burke team are confident he belongs at this level and another win here could book his place for some of the top juvenile sprints over the next few weeks.
Ananya (2.40 Goodwood)
Ananya is just preferred to the less exposed Vividly in the Group 3 Ladbrokes Prestige Stakes at Goodwood. Peter Chapple-Hyam must have been cursing his luck when this impressive Newmarket winner lost her chance with a very slow start on her pattern race debut at Newmarket two weeks ago. She did really well to finish fifth behind West End Girl, and it is a safe bet to suggest her high-class handler will have done his best to prevent similar tardiness at the stalls this time around.
Past Master (5.00 Goodwood)
Past Master produced a couple of dud efforts in the first half of the season, but he is back in very good form and looks worth an interest in the Ladbrokes Home Of The Odds Boost Handicap. Henry Candy's charge produced his best performance so far this term when chasing home Mandarin at Newmarket last time, and should be hard to beat if there is still some juice in the ground from the recent wet spell.
Saroog (3.20 Newmarket)
Saroog is relatively lightly raced for a five year old, and he is fancied to follow up his win at Ascot last month in the Price Bailey Firm Of The Year Handicap at Newmarket. Simon Crisford looks to have found another good opening given the prize money on offer, and he look ready for the step up in grade.
Jack D'Or (7.50 Windsor)
Jack D’Or can make a successful return to a mile in the Follow The Races on Twitter Handicap at Windsor. Ed Walker’s three-year-old ran his best race here when beaten only half a length in June, and he does look one of the more likely in this field to improve.
Capton (4.55 Redcar)
Capton, the mount of the talented Joanna Mason, can finally come good for Mick Easterby in the Join Racing TV Now Lady Amateur Riders Handicap At Redcar. A very useful handicapper for Henry Candy, he has not cut much ice for his new trainer so far this season. However, he now likely to encounter the easy ground he prefers, and this galloping course should suit.
Buto (2.00 Goodwood)
Buto, a stablemate of the aforementioned Kiefer, was a quiet whisper before finishing a respectable fifth to Love Whisper at Chepstow over seven furlongs ten days ago, and he looks worth an interest in the Ladbrokes Maiden Auction Stakes at Goodwood on Sunday. He took a while to find his feet on that undulating course, but he stayed on nicely in the closing stages and that, coupled with the step up to a mile, will stand him in good stead on the Downland course.
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