It was a case of three places from three selections in yesterday’s column and we are keen to get a winner over the line today…
We head to the seaside racecourse of Brighton for our first selection. The application of first-time cheekpieces on Golden Passport in the 7f Class 4 Star Insurance Apprentice Handicap (2:25) could eke out enough improvement to secure a second career victory.
The gelding was a juvenile winner at Wolverhampton and has only run twice, albeit out of the placings, on turf. His turf form is probably a little misleading – the colt shaped like one to follow on his debut performance at Salisbury and faced tougher competition when sixth of thirteen at Newmarket in May.
Trainer Ed Walker continues to fire in winners with a strike rate of 29% (9-31) from the last fourteen days and Golden Passport is his sole representative at Brighton.
SELECTION - GOLDEN PASSPORT (7/2)
We remain at Brighton for the second selection, with Alumnus remaining a value bet at 3/1 in the 1m4f Class 4 Star Sports Brighton Challenge Cup Handicap (For The Brighton Challenge Cup) (4:00). Although the Charlie Johnston runner is currently edging favouritism in the betting, he has plenty to recommend him.
The three-year-old colt has been revitalised by the application of a visor and was only beaten a short head over 1m4½f at Newcastle on the all-weather two starts back. He followed up with a fifth at Goodwood over 1m3f, becoming outpaced from three furlongs out and lacking the speed to make up ground. The return to a longer distance is undoubtedly a positive for the son of Kendargent and the yard appear to be hitting form again, with a winner on both Monday and Tuesday and a double on Wednesday.
SELECTION – ALUMNUS (3/1)
There is plenty of prize money on offer in the Racing League fixture at Chepstow and Atrium appeals for Charlie Fellowes in the 7f Class 2 William Hill Bet In-Running Racing League Race 14 Handicap (8:30).
The four-year-old feels like he has been around forever in these competitive handicaps and was only given a two pound rise in the weights for a dead heat victory over seven furlongs at Doncaster last time. It was jockey Callum Shepherd's first ride on the gelding and he retains the booking at Chepstow.
Prior to the Doncaster victory, Atrium had not been raced at seven furlongs since the end of 2021 yet he has an excellent 50% strike rate over the distance (3-6). Despite a competitive field, the current odds of 6/1 seem a bit generous for the gelding and he is expected to make a bold bid.
SELECTION – ATRIUM (6/1)
