Newmarket & Haydock selections Saturday 27th September
One of the big handicaps of the season, the Cambridgeshire, takes place at Newmarket this afternoon, but with a field size somewhat reduced from the norm. It will still take plenty of winning, but I am relying on just the one bet. I also have a best bet from the chief supporting card at Haydock. We had another big sprint win last weekend with Run Boy Run in the Ayr Gold Cup (advised 14/1), whilst Northern Express (SP 8/1) and Theory of Tides (SP 9/2) were placed for the each-way bets elsewhere.
Haydock 3.15: Fondo Blanco
It has been a collection of near misses for FONDO BLANCO this season who has filled the runners up spot on four of his five starts this campaign. However he looks due a step up in trip and I am hopeful that will unlock that bit of improvement necessary to get his head in front.
A soft ground winner at York last back end over 6f, he started the season off at that trip when beaten in a photo at Doncaster. Since then he has graduated to handicaps and finished second in all three attempts at 7f (well beaten in one effort over 6f in between races). However on every occasion he has finished strongly, suggesting he does not quite have the tactical pace at sprint distances, but should have the stamina for eight.
That definitely seemed the case in a competitive race at Ascot last time, closing off the stiff 7f strongly behind course specialist Hickory. On breeding he should have no issues with a mile, the dam stayed the trip and was by the middle distance sire Farhh. The ground being just on the soft side should be ideal, and this sharp track around a bend should also help allay any lack of stamina concerns.
Newmarket 3.40: Fifth Column
A winner for us at the Ebor meeting last month, FIFTH COLUMN needed every yard of the mile trip that day to get his head in front and should relish the extra furlong today with a 5lb rise in the weights no huge barrier.
This gelding has progressed nicely on firm ground all season, starting off with victory in the Esher Cup at Sandown back in April. From there he ran a nice race on the wrong side of the track at the Royal meeting in the Britannia before making no mistake when landing a big pot at the big July meeting here.
He can be excused a still decent fifth in the Golden Mile at Goodwood where the ground went against him, but back on fast ground at York he showed his true ability once more. He was briefly outpaced that day as the pace increased, but his class and stamina shone through late as he rallied to get up close home. With a straight track and an extra furlong to race on here, he ought to be able to gain that forward momentum more easily and he gets the rattling fast ground that has served him so well this summer.
Recommended bets:
1pt each-way – Fondo Blanco – 3.15 Haydock – 9/2 William Hill (1/4 odds 1st 3)
1pt each-way – Fifth Column – 3.40 Newmarket – 13/2 Boylesports (1/5 odds 1st 6)
