Timeform highlight a ratings banker, a big improver and a Flag to note from Saturday's busy afternoon of racing.
The Ratings Banker
FLYING HONOURS – 1.50 Newmarket
He was beaten at 2/7 in the Royal Lodge here has time but FLYING HONOURS was completely unsuited by how that race developed. He returns to the Rowley Mile for the Zetland Stakes and has at least seven pounds in hand of his nearest rival, while he also has a Timeform 'small p', indicating potential improvement.
The race developed into a sprint last time having been run at a sedate pace and while still not beaten far, Charlie Appleby’s charge is better judged on his previous progressive form which included a Listed win at Salisbury.
The son of Sea The Stars goes up to ten furlongs on Saturday and will be suited by that test of stamina and can quickly get back on track.
The Big Improver
RUN FOR OSCAR – 3.40 Newmarket
You don’t normally associate the Club Godolphin Cesarewitch with progressive and lightly-raced horses but RUN FOR OSCAR definitely falls into both categories.
A useful hurdler, the shrewd Charles Byrnes has targeted him at this race ever since he made a mockery of a handicap mark of 82 at Haydock in August.
He’s eight pounds higher on Saturday but the marathon trip promises to unlock further improvement and he’s very attractively treated still on the pick of his form over timber.
The Timeform Flag
BAY OF PLENTY – 2.05 York
Horse In Focus
He’s light on experience but full of potential and BAY OF PLENTY is a Horse In Focus ahead of his run in the Coral Rockingham Stakes.
It’s interesting to see Johnny Murtagh opt to send him over to England on only his second career start and Ben Coen is across for the ride too.
The son of New Bay only made his racecourse debut at Naas in the middle of last month and looked something out of the ordinary as he surged clear to beat Pier Pressure by a length-and-a-quarter.
He did well to win that day having been denied a run when making good progress over a furlong out and only finding a gap well inside the final furlong. He showed a smart turn of foot to go clear once he saw daylight and is well worth a try at this level.
More from Sporting Life
- 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.
