Sam King advised Lexington Belle to score at a general 7/1 yesterday (SP – 11/4) and he returns with a trio of selections for this superb Saturday.
The Shergar Cup takes centre stage in Britain and although it certainly splits opinion among racing fans, it's tough to deny that the handicap action doesn't offer some competitive racing.
Team Europe looks to hold a strong hand in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile at 3.20 (Ascot) and I'm hopeful late super sub-Thore Hammer Hansen can steer Perotto to success.
The Roger Varian-trained runner got off the mark for this yard when landing the Coral Challenge handicap at Sandown last month and he ran well from an uncompromising position in the Golden Mile at Goodwood last time. That Goodwood contest came in very testing ground so you have to take on trust the race has left no marks, but Roger Varian wouldn't be the type of trainer to back a horse up eight days later if he wasn't looking in tip-top condition at home.
A mark of 98 is workable for the 2021 Britannia Stakes winner and with the drying ground in his favour, a bold bid looks very much on the cards now returning to the Berkshire venue.
Selection: Perotto - General 10/3
Newmarket hosts six races this afternoon which includes the Group 3 Aspall Cyder 1728 Sweet Solera Stakes at 3.40.
It's easy to see why the reopposing Fallen Angel and Soprano are both towards the head of the market but I prefer Carolina Reaper at the prices.
She represents last year's winning connections, and it would seem they had this target in mind ever since her excellent sixth-place finish in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot on just her second start.
Plenty of horses struggle to come down the dip on Newmarket's July course but Carolina Reaper proved equal to that task when winning a maiden fillies' event over course and distance three weeks ago. A mark of 88 leaves her plenty to find on official ratings, but she looks progressive and can put her course form to good use here by taking the step back up to pattern company in her stride.
Selection: Carolina Reaper – General 5/1
We head back to Ascot for our second wager and I'm happy to take a chance that wind surgery has worked the oracle for Tees Spirit in the opening Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash at 1.35.
His Group 1 Nunthorpe entry looks a little bit fanciful following two no-shows this season, but trainer Adrian Nicholls clearly retains all his faith in this horse.
That said, he'll find this easier than the Group 2 he contested at Chantilly last time and is on an extremely dangerous mark off 99.
The son of Swiss Spirit was extremely progressive last season and if back to anywhere near the level that saw him successful in Listed company at Tipperary, then he'd be likely right in the mix back in a handicap with conditions to suit.
Selection: Tees Spirit – General 12/1
