We head to Salisbury for our first selection. At the current prices, George Boughey's Soprano (7/2) appeals in the 6f Group 3 Dick Poole Stakes (3:40) as a filly with plenty of big race experience. A debut winner at Newmarket's Rowley Mile, she has placed in some of the top juvenile filly races this season including a third in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot and a second in the Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes at the July course over seven furlongs. The form of the Albany Stakes third has been given a significant boost since with winner Porta Fortuna placing second in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes against the boys, and second-placed Matrika taking a Curragh Group 2 on her subsequent start.
Although the daughter of Starspangledbanner was well-beaten by Fallen Angel in the Sweet Solera, Soprano was always keen and shaped as though the return to six furlongs would be ideal. She has first-time tongue-tie applied and Ryan Moore booked to ride, which can only be seen as a positive.
SELECTION – SOPRANO – 7/2
Remaining at sunny Salisbury, it's hard to look past Cambridge in the 1m Class 4 Byerley Stud Novice Stakes (2:40), who will be Aidan O'Brien's first runner at the track in eighteen years. The colt is out of Listed placed mare Amerique and a half-brother to Maqsad, who was successful in the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket over ten furlongs.
On pedigree, stamina should not pose an issue for the son of Dubawi, with his only previous start coming over seven-and-a-half furlongs at Roscommon. It was a muddling race, with jockey Seamie Heffernan later reporting to the steward's that there was a delay in the stalls opening. Cambridge was very green in the first half of the contest and made late headway to finish third, although he never trouble the two-and-three-quarter length winner Beauty Thunder. The colt is entitled to improve for the run and can break through for a maiden victory.
SELECTION – CAMBRIDGE – 8/11
Switching to Haydock for the 1m Class 4 For Weekly Tips Visit www.weekendinsider.co.uk EBF Novice Stakes (3:30), Godolphin's Legend Of Time may prove a value bet at 11/4. Although there has been a lot reported about the form of Charlie Appleby over the course of this season, the juvenile results have been consistently good with a 29% strike rate for two-year-olds on turf. The yard is returning back to their best and currently boast an overall strike rate of 40%.
Legend Of Time is out of US Listed winner Kissable, who was fast enough to win over seven furlongs as a juvenile and placed in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes. She has already produced two Black Type performers, including Loving Dream who won the Group 1 Prix de Royallieu in 2021. Bred by Lordship Stud, this Sea The Stars colt is expected to make an impact on debut and develop into a middle distance performer next season.
SELECTION – LEGEND OF TIME – 11/4
