A Surrey sight for the layers
GO for Gold in the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap.
SURREY GOLD (2.25) bolted up in the style of a very well-weighted horse over 1m3f at Newbury in May.
The handicapper was clearly watching as he shot up 12lb for that success but even that rise could underestimate his ability.
It’s interesting he’s had only one run since. That came when held up in a slowly-run race over 1m4f at Ascot where he had little chance from his position turning into the straight.
The way he stayed on in the closing stages out in the middle of the track confirmed him as an ideal type for this race and he will simply love both the extra two furlongs and the likely strong pace.
With Hughie Morrison (above) in red-hot form, he is a cracking bet. Have 3pts each-way at
with the sponsors paying out on seven places and other bookies stretching to six.
Willie Mullins seems to have plotted a similar plan with MT LEINSTER (3.35) in the Sky Bet Ebor.
Unlike the Melrose, there isn’t much obvious pace and that should help him as he is happy racing somewhere near the front.
He hasn’t run since winning easily at the Curragh in October but he has a great record when returning from a break.
Most of his form is on soft ground but he moves like he’ll be fine on this quicker surface.
Have 2pts each-way at 9-1 with the sponsors paying out on a whopping eight places.
QAADER (4.45) finally got the rub of the green when an impressive winner at Goodwood.
He had form in Group races last season and I wouldn’t be surprised if he headed in that direction again after this effort in the Sky Bet Handicap. Have 1pt to win at
9.
REBEL AT DAWN
(5.20) is at his best on fast ground over 5f. He hasn’t had those conditions too often but he won well when it all dropped right for him at Nottingham in June. And everything looks in place today.
Have 1pt ew at 14-1 with several firms offering four places.