Our ace tipster has some choice picks from the televised cards at Haydock Park and at York for the start of a Bank Holiday weekend.
Haydock Park Selections
PENNY TIME (2.20) – William Hill Silver Bowl Handicap
Look after the Penny if you want the pounds to look after themselves in the William Hill Silver Bowl. This red-hot Haydock handicap is sure to contain future Group-class horses. PENNY TIME (2.20) could easily be one of those. He was heavily-gambled ahead of his debut on Kempton’s all-weather track in March. Although he finished first past the post, he was disqualified when his jockey weighed in a pound-and-a-half light. That was still a cracking start to his career, as he beat smart prospect Conclave and he went on to officially get off the mark when an easy winner at Southwell. Hugo Palmer’s runner couldn’t follow up at the same track under a penalty but he probably bumped into a fellow smart prospect in Goldinthesea. He also raced further towards the middle of the track on an evening when it paid to come to the stands’ side. This race could pan out perfectly. Have 1pt each-way at 22-1. Plenty of bookies are paying out on five places.
FIRST INSTINCT (3.30) – Group 2 William Hill Temple Stakes
FIRST INSTINCT (3.30) lines up in the Group 2 William Hill Temple Stakes having been undone by the draw on her last two starts. She had no chance from the highest stall in the Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp on Arc day and she was forced to race well away from the pacesetters in Newmarket’s Palace House Stakes on her return to action. There’s every chance she will take a step forward for her comeback and she is drawn near to likely frontrunners Night Raider and Jakajaro this time. Have 2pts each-way at 16-1. Most firms are offering four places.
York Selection
TOCA MADERA (2.40) – Big-Field Sprint Handicap
There’s a typical big-field sprint handicap to get stuck into at York. TOCA MADERA (2.40) finished in midfield behind Temple Stakes contender Jakajaro in a similar race over course-and-distance last week. That was better than it looked as he was third home in the stands’ side group and he’s had better luck with the draw this time. He had finished third in that same race 12 months ago behind subsequent Group 1 winner American Affair, when he was surrounded by other Group-class sprinters. Have 1pt each-way at 14-1. A couple of firms go six places.
