Free racing tips: David Clough previews Saturday's action with Nap and next best selections
Enable is the star attraction on a bumper Saturday of racing - check out David Clough's full preview and tips here.
The racing world will be willing Enable on to reclaim her crown in the Unibet September Stakes at Kempton – but none of them will get rich backing her to do so.
John Gosden’s brilliant mare is likely to start at odds of 1-5 or shorter, and should surely land them against her assembled opposition at the Sunbury track.
On a busy and most competitive weekend, she is of course the likeliest winner of the lot – but races such as Haydock’s Betfair Sprint Cup present much more enticing rewards for finding the right horse.
Aidan O’Brien’s Lope Y Fernandez appeared as good as ruled out of the Group One on Merseyside in midweek, so it was a shock not just to see his name among the 13 declared but with Ryan Moore available to ride.
A full explanation of what changed in the space of 24 hours would fill this page and many more – but suffice to say, new relaxations in coronavirus protocols brought Moore out of lockdown in Ireland, and at the same time Lope Y Fernandez demonstrated his present well-being on the gallops.
Those who had already mentally eliminated him from their calculations may therefore be well advised to think again – because Lope Y Fernandez has plenty going for him at Haydock.
The three-year-old has yet to strike this summer but has faced tough tasks, twice at trips beyond what appears to be his optimum.
His trainer has come to the conclusion that this six furlongs suits best, and also believes the anticipated ease in the ground will be no hindrance at all.
Lope Y Fernandez did not appear to stay but still ran very well in defeat when third on his first start of the campaign behind Siskin in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.
He was then a major disappointment at Royal Ascot but has since finished within a length of Godolphin stars Pinatubo and Space Blues in two Deauville Group Ones at up to seven furlongs.
Hello Youmzain, defending his crown this weekend, was just a head in front of him on the latter occasion – conceding 4lb – and although the weight differential is halved here, Lope Y Fernandez is value at around double the odds of both his old rival and likely favourite Dream Of Dreams.
Earlier on the card, Rajinsky and Khaloosy are both of interest as they too renew respective rivalries.
Rajinsky faces a clutch of familiar foes as he seeks a deserved victory in the Betfair Exchange Old Borough Cup Handicap, having had to settle for the runner-up spot three times in succession.
The series of near misses for Tom Dascombe’s battle-hardened four-year-old at least means his rise up the ratings has been only gradual and therefore allows him the opportunity to take advantage when conditions are right.
He has run well all summer on decent ground at up to an extended two miles.
Rajinsky was also a heavy-ground winner at Windsor over 10 furlongs less than a year ago, and so should be at least as effective here on a surface forecast to be similarly testing.
The ground, unless it improves dramatically, is also a major plus for Khaloosy in the Betfair Superior Mile Stakes.
He produced memorable acceleration to dispose of a strong handicap field on soft at Royal Ascot – and although there is no question the reopposing My Oberon was then his superior at Glorious Goodwood, that was on good to firm.
Khaloosy does not attract rave reviews on the gallops, by all accounts, but that will simply inflate his odds – and if he deals best with the elements, he may be able to turn the tables on My Oberon.
Ascot stages a hugely competitive card, and winners will be tough to find.
It may be worth taking a chance on Cepheus, though, in the Lavazza Stakes.
Runner-up Moomba has since badly let down the form of Cepheus’ Goodwood victory – but Brian Meehan has always had faith in the three-year-old, and let him take his chance in the 2000 Guineas on only his second start.
After his second career win, Cepheus may yet prove he is better than a handicapper up to this trip.
Sporting life tips
ASCOT: 12.45 Innovator, 1.20 Last Sunset, 1.55 Rose Hip, 2.30 Pretty In Grey, 3.05 Cepheus, 3.40 May Sonic, 4.15 Society Lion.
HAYDOCK: 1.10 Urban War, 1.45 Khaloosy, 2.15 Midrarr, 2.50 Rajinsky, 3.25 LOPE Y FERNANDEZ (NAP), 4.00 Wonderwork, 4.35 Egrecio.
KEMPTON: 1.30 Zoffarelli, 2.00 Mystery Smiles, 2.35 Enable, 3.10 Recovery Run, 3.45 Bullfinch, 4.20 Anglo Saxson, 4.55 Alqifaar, 5.30 Cappananty Con.
NAVAN: 1.50 Zaffy’s Pride, 2.20 That’s Mad, 2.55 Teddy Boy, 3.30 Lipizzaner, 4.05 A Step Too Far, 4.40 A Place Apart, 5.10 Clifftop, 5.40 Orderofretaliation.
STRATFORD: 2.25 For Pleasure, 3.00 Seddon, 3.35 Skeaping, 4.10 Young Wolf, 4.45 St Gallen, 5.20 Double Court, 5.50 Luttrell Lad.
WEXFORD: 2.05 Isotope, 2.40 The Dreams Alive, 3.15 Presenting Sun, 3.50 Silk Worm, 4.25 Flamin Aimee, 5.00 Blaze A Trail,5.35 Mary Fields.
WOLVERHAMPTON: 5.25 Liam’s Lass, 6.00 Fenix, 6.30 Beautiful News, 7.00 Semper Augustus, 7.30 Quaint, 8.00 Galata Bridge, 8.30 Grouseman, 9.00 Nablawyh.
DOUBLE: Lope Y Fernandez and Rajinsky.
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