After landing a 16/1 Friday winner, our form expert has four selections for Saturday's racing from Chester and York including in the Sky Bet Ebor.
The Verdict: Saturday August 22
1pt win Rhoscolyn in the 14:05 Chester at 9/1 (General)
0.5pts e.w Orchard Keeper in the 14:40 Chester at 16/1 (General 1/5 1,2,3)
1pt win Ten Bob Tony in the 15:00 York at 13/2 (General)
0.5pts e.w. Circus Of Rome in the 15:35 York at 66/1 (William Hill 1/5 1,2,3,4,5)
Circus looks a fun bet in the Ebor
All the chat ahead of the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap at York on Saturday has been about Willie Mullins sneaking new recruit Love Me Tender in at the bottom of the weights for the same team that won last year’s race with Ethical Diamond.
The four-year-old German import is certainly interesting off an opening British mark of 96, but the layers are taking no chances and he’s 5/1 in a place at the time of writing which seems remarkable for such an unknown quantity in a race like this.
Such is the interest in the Mullins horses and Joseph O’Brien’s Royal Ascot fourth, Emit, that some have been completely forgotten about and that certainly looks to be the case with the horse directly above Love Me Tender in the list, CIRCUS OF ROME, at 50s and even 66/1.
On his last start Richard Hughes’ unexposed four-year-old was gambled off the boards antepost for the Northumberland Plate, shortening into 3/1 from 20s in the days leading up to the race before he drifted on track and went off 8/1.
In the race itself he was a little bit disappointing, beaten over six lengths in the mid-pack, but they only went a moderate gallop and that didn’t suit this strong traveller who likes to cruise into contention from off the pace rather than having to dash for the line.
He’s only had 13 career starts split six and seven between the all-weather and turf respectively, but he looks just as good on both surfaces and his best runs came this time last year at Newcastle and Haydock.
His easy Newcastle success and subsequent close-up Haydock fourth (again off a moderate gallop) marked him out as a stayer to follow this year and after a couple of spins over inadequate trips earlier this season it looked like it was all about Northumberland Plate day.
It wasn’t to be, but that’s no reason to dismiss him for an Ebor where the likely much stronger gallop should very much play to his strengths and Hughes’ intentions look pretty clear with the jockey booking of his old housemate Jamie Spencer.
I expect he’ll be ridden cold, but he loves coming through horses and he goes very well fresh – winning off 10 and 15-week breaks before – so his two-month absence looks a positive here in what is effectively just his second big race of the season, while the ground should've dried out a bit by the Ebor.
Hughes has a very good record with his staying handicappers and he has won a Northumberland Plate before with Calling The Wind, something that was probably partly behind this year’s gamble, but I don’t think we should forget that market move with Saturday’s big race in mind.
The Verdict: Back CIRCUS OF ROME in the 15:35 York
Worth a Bob or two in the City of York
It’s another tremendously difficult card at York as you would expect but I did think TEN BOB TONY was worth backing in the Group 1 Sky Bet City of York Stakes at 13/2.
I don’t think his recent high level of consistent quality form has been taken into account anywhere near enough and crucially he looks versatile over both the trip and ground.
Seven furlongs will be no bother to him and if they go quick, as looks likely, even better as we know he gets a mile well.
I’m not sure dropping to seven furlongs around here will see Notable Speech at his best and he looks a gettable favourite, while Ten Bob Tony holds the rest on his best form, which has been on his last three starts.
The Verdict: Back TEN BOB TONY in the 15:00 York
Rhoscolyn irresistible after downpours
Over at Chester they’ve had 33mm of rain over the last five days and at the time of writing the ground is Good to Soft, Soft in places, for all that the rest of Friday and Saturday look clear.
Conditions will dry out a little, but after this week’s rain underfoot conditions will surely be more suitable for RHOSCOLYN who looks deliciously handicapped in the opening Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap over seven and a half furlongs.
David O’Meara’s horse loves to get his toe in but he’s perfectly capable on anything as long as it isn’t rattling quick and when he last won in August last year, it was drying ground that Timeform recorded as Good.
These are very similar circumstances, then, but that was at Goodwood in the Golden Mile from a mark of 96 and on Saturday he runs in a significantly easier race from a perch of 87.
Drawn in the plum stall one, as well, with pace to chase to his outside, he looks must-bet material with loads in his favour.
The Verdict: Back RHOSCOLYN in the 14:05 Chester
Orchard looks a Keeper for Varian
Finally, ORCHARD KEEPER looks a big price in the Listed Virgin Bet Chester Stakes over the extended 1m6f for Roger Varian.
The five-year-old Churchill mare was narrowly beaten in the same race last year by horses rated 113 and 109, so I wouldn’t take much notice of what she has to find on the official ratings in this contest.
Indeed, Lazy Griff looks vulnerable under a penalty back at this trip at this track and By The Book has to prove he stays, so Orchard Keeper looks a live threat getting weight from the pair of them.
She’s also from a family that likes cut in the ground on her dam’s side, so the conditions are a potential catalyst for improvement and she clearly acts on the track well.
Her reappearance fifth over an inadequate 1m4f at Newmarket was highly encouraging and her light campaign could be a positive in this race with the Varian stable in cracking form.
The Verdict: Back ORCHARD KEEPER in the 14:40 Chester
Preview posted at 16:00 BST on 21/08/26
Click here for full Ben Linfoot tipping record
More from Sporting Life
- Free bets
- Racecards
- Fast results
- Full results and free video replays
- Horse racing news
- Horse racing tips
- Horse racing features
- Download our free iOS and Android app
- Football and other sports tips
- Podcasts and video content
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org
