Ben Linfoot has some antepost advice for Qipco Champions Day while Ben Coley takes a look at the latest Ryder Cup picture.
Horse Racing
It was a massive weekend for David O’Meara after his Suedois won the Grade One Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland, but, closer to home, the North Yorkshire-based handler will have been delighted with new acquisition Lord Glitters at Ascot.
The grey French import, who cost connections €270,000 at the Arqana sales in July, could hardly have run a more perfect trial for the Balmoral Handicap on Champions Day, back at Ascot on Saturday week.
Held up by Martin Harley, Lord Glitters tanked through the race and had plenty to do inside the final two furlongs where he weaved through the field for a running on second. He was probably undone by the draw, with the first and third racing on the far side while he broke from stall 14 on the stands’ side, while he might have won anyway had his challenge been made earlier.
That’s all ifs and buts, but what is clear is that a handicap mark of 102 is more than fair. He’s probably looking at a 4lb or 5lb rise in the weights, at least, when reassessed on Tuesday, but he gets in the Balmoral off 102 and he could be tough to beat.
Saturday’s run in the Challenge Cup will have taken the freshness out of him, he goes into the race fresher than most after a light campaign, he stays a mile well and has now proven himself on the Ascot straight course.
Softer ground would be a positive for him, he’s going to be officially well in and then you can probably factor in further improvement on his second start for his new trainer as well.
With plenty of exposed horses dominating the top of the weights in the Balmoral, it’s looking like the more interesting improvers simply aren’t going to get in. He’s going to get a 6lb pull at the weights with Saturday’s winner, Accidental Agent, for a half a length, and the extra furlong on Champions Day looks more likely to suit Lord Glitters than that horse.
All in all, there’s nothing not to like about his chance for the Champions Day handicap. Understandably favourite in the ante-post lists, the 10/1 available in a few places looks big, as does the general 8/1. If he lines up, and surely only a setback prevents him from doing so, he looks likely to go off 5/1 or even shorter. (Ben Linfoot)
Click here to back Lord Glitters for the Balmoral Handicap
Golf
In last week's PGA Tour Money List preview, I highlighted the potential for 25/1 shot Brendan Steele to throw his hat into the ring for a place on the US Ryder Cup side.
A few days later, having defended his title in the Safeway Open, he's into 6/1 and the chance to back him has well and truly gone. Steele only climbed three places to 13th in the standings, some way short of an automatic place, and the case was that he'd make for a tempting wild card if in-form next autumn because he has an outstanding record at Le Golf National, which hosts the event.
In other words, winning the Safeway Open again probably makes next to no difference. He's unlikely to qualify automatically and this will be year-old form when Jim Furyk comes to selecting his side. Steele will need to be contending in August and September to make the team one way or another.
It's interesting that Phil Mickelson is 8/11 from evens, Tony Finau 5/2 from 7/2 and Steele all the way into 6/1 without, so far as I can see, any players being pushed out. These markets are priced heavily in favour of the layers so you need to be absolutely sure you're getting value before placing a bet.
It's a similar case with regards Team Europe, with Tyrrell Hatton into 1/3 from 5/4 following his second Dunhill Links success.
Hatton does at least jump to the very top of the European standings and therefore has an outstanding chance to qualify automatically, but the shift in his price doesn't appear to have opened up a great opportunity elsewhere.
Perhaps Marc Warren is the one at 33s. A class act at best, Warren once again found salvation on home soil in Scotland, where he plays to well, and is up to sixth in the European standings.
If - and this is a chunky 'if' - Sunday's fourth-placed finish sees him fully turn the corner, Warren does have the ability to make the side. I see no better candidate at 16/1 and upwards at this point. (Ben Coley)
Click here to back Marc Warren to make the European Ryder Cup side
