Ascot and Newmarket latest betting odds: Three selections for the live action on ITV4 this Saturday
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Newmarket hosts the sole domestic Group One contest on Saturday and it’s a strong renewal of the Sun Chariot Stakes at 14:40
Looking at previous winners of the race, particularly in the last ten years, it’s worth concentrating on those rated 114+ which narrows the field neatly down to just Aidan O’Brien’s Roly Poly and French raider Qemah.
The latter looked to have the world at her feet after winning the Coronation Stakes in 2016 but she’s struggled to make her presence felt this season.
Roly Poly gave her a ½ length beating in this year’s Prix Rothschild before the pair were evenly matched, finishing down the field in the Matron Stakes.
While a few four-year- olds have gone on to win this, I don’t think Qemah is quite up to giving 3lb away, and expect Roly Poly to deliver a further Group One victory to add to her master trainer’s tally.
Her form ties in well with some of the best of the Ballydoyle fillies and she can be backed at 5/1 on the Betfair Sportsbook.
Away from HQ, there’s a great card at Ascot with a pair of well contested Group Three contests and the ultra-competitive Challenge Cup.
In the 14:25 Cumberland Lodge Stakes, Andre Fabre sends over French Derby runner-up Waldgeist and providing he’s travelled well, should take all the beating at 11/10.
Saeed Bin Suroor’s Secret Number ran a nice race in the Legacy Cup last time but I think he’ll struggle to give weight away to the French contender.
This year’s renewal of the Bengough Stakes at 15:00 looks particularly strong with both Blue Point and Magical Memory dropped in class.
The finish will likely be fought out between the pair and it could be argued that Charlie Hills’ colt is a touch of value at 9/2 but I wouldn’t rule out a big run from William Haggas’ Second Thought at 10/1.
On the evidence of his impressive All-Weather form earlier in the season, a return to a flatter sand-based track at Ascot should suit him down to the ground.
The Challenge Cup at 15:35 is as competitive as ever but with four of the last five winners going off at single figure prices, it may pay to look at those with more obvious claims, none more so than William Haggas’ Mojito who is aiming to notch his fourth win in a row and heads the betting at 4/1.
He was very impressive at York last time and that was a strong race but he’s been dealt a big hike in the weights and three year old’s don’t have the best record in this so it’s tempting to look elsewhere for some each-way value…
Last year’s runner-up Firmament looks a huge price at 16/1 to go one better this year. He’s racing off a 3lb higher mark but has been there or thereabouts in most of the summer’s big field handicaps.
His form at Ascot is particularly notable, having only finished out of the front five on one occasion in seven visits since moving to the David O’Meara yard. While he may lack the flashy profile of some of his rivals he looks a rock solid each-way proposition at a double figure price.
What’s more, with every SP 3/1+ winner you back on live ITV4 races on the Betfair Sportsbook, you get a free bet to the same value (Max £25).