Saturday Tipping - September 3rd

Saturday sees group one racing at both Leopardstown and Haydock, as we are privileged enough to witness The Irish Champion Stakes as well as the Sprint Cup, both of which are group one calibre races. There is also racing at Ascot, Stratford, Musselburgh and Thirsk Saturday afternoon, meaning a feast for racing fans, and a breadth of possibilities when it comes to selecting the weeks ‘Nap’.

The nap this week, in the midst of over 50 races on Saturday, runs in the Group One Matron Stakes, and is dual group one winning filly MISTY FOR ME, for trainer Aidan O’ Brien, who looks to make it back to back victories for the stable, building on last years win by Lillee Langtree. Misty For Me has proven to be a tough and resilient filly, being outpaced in the English 1000 Guineas, before making amends in the Irish equivalent, winning in impressive style. That run was followed by her not seeing the trip out in the Epsom Oaks, followed by an impressive winner of the Pretty Polly Stakes at The Curragh, defeating subsequent Nassau Stakes winner Midday by seven lengths. She looks to be the pick of the three year olds, and she should be able to gain an easy lead, before making all and winning with the class shown in her previous victories under regular partner Seamie Heffernan.

King Torus is a horse tipped up recently, and although unsuccessful, many positives can be taken from his defeat. The colt was having his first run for nearly a year, and although finishing fourth, the margin of defeat was only two lengths. He should have come on a lot for that run, building on the fitness gained from blowing the proverbial cobwebs out, and can make amends in the Superior Mile, which is a listed race, and is the 2.00 at Haydock Park. The son of Oratorio demonstrated a strong two year old career, winning two group two races, before missing out a crack at the 2000 Guineas due to various niggling injuries. His most recent run proves he has retained all of his abilities, and with peak fitness, should be able to win a listed race, which is a far cry from the form he showed as a two year old.

The final selection this week comes in the highlight of the days racing, in the Betfred Sprint Cup, a group one race, won last year by the Henry Candy trained Markab. Another successful handicapper such as Markab takes the leap into Group One company with Hoof It once again being supplemented by owners Lee Westwood and Chubby Chandler. Doncaster Rover takes a step up from a recent listed, and the field contains consistent horses such as Genki, Elzaam and Masamah to name but a few. However the one to side with is the proven Group One sprinter is DREAM AHEAD, who recaptured his form in emphatic style, winning the Darley July Cup under Hayley Turner, in a confident hands and heels ride. The Group One winning two year old ended the 2010 season as joint top rated two year old with Frankel, who has gone on to be the undisputed best racehorse in the world. Since then, Dream Ahead made a promising return in the St James Palace Stakes, a race which has had its form well and truly franked with Dubawi Gold and Excellebration both winning Group Two races, and Neebras and Frankel also winning next time out. Dream Ahead should be suited at 6f as opposed to his recent 7 furlongs race in France, and should take all the beating.

5.40 Leopardstown – Misty For Me (Nap)

2.00 Haydock – King Torus

3.35 Haydock – Dream Ahead