Weekend Betting Tips: The Warrior hoping for impact at Newmarket

Our tipster Karl Hedley provides the odds for the weekend’s races

SATURDAY

NEWMARKET

2-20 500,000 TATTERSALLS MILLIONS 2YO TROPHY – 7 FURLONGS

The Warrior looked very unlucky to not finish closer in a decent looking maiden at The Curragh last weekend where he met with trouble in running. Despite not finding a clear path he still managed to place and he can come on for the experience. The team at Ballydoyle took this race last year with Oklahoma City and they will be keen to win it again. Joseph O’ Brien rides him for the third time in succession and the faster ground looks sure to suit this son of Exceed And Excel.

Secret Brief has won his two most recent starts for Mark Johnston and saw off a number of these rivals in the process including Heartbreak Hero, Ballymore Castle and Bossy Guest. If he is able to continue in that rich vein of form then he is an obvious danger.

Tannaaf won his maiden over this course and distance last time out and remains completely unexposed. Whilst this is a massive step forward, he too could be anything and he may well have a say in the outcome. Aiden O’ Brien has not been put off by this level of opposition and it is interesting that he has declared The Warrior to run just six days on from his latest effort. He ought to be open to further improvement and a big run can be expected.

ASCOT

3-15 JOHN GUEST BENGOUGH STAKES (GROUP 3) – 6 FURLONGS

Reckless Abandon has put up two decent efforts in defeat this season and he now returns to a track where he has previously won. Charlie Appleby has his yard in much better form now and he has called upon the services of Kevin Manning to take over in the saddle.

Six furlongs looks an absolute maximum for the four year old and whilst he does have to find a length with the re-opposing Tropics, he will now be fully fit and should be able to do so. Reckless Abandon has dropped to quite an attractive mark and having won numerous group races in the past, he has to command respect.

Tropics won this race last season and goes well on quick ground. He was no match for the likes of G Force and Gordon Lord Byron last time out but he takes a significant drop in class this afternoon. Robert Winston gets on well with the six year old and has been on board for his two most recent victories. The combination has won off this mark in the past and if they can defy a wide draw in stall fifteen, they look the main dangers.

Danzeno is an admirably tough sort and has won at this level already this year. He comes into this with a penalty as a result and may struggle to give the weight away. Reckless Abandon is still open to any amount of improvement and has been lightly raced compared to some of his rivals this year. There may yet be more to come and he can go close.

NEWMARKET

3-30 KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN SUN CHARIOT STAKES (GROUP 1) – 1 MILE

Esoterique is a previous course and distance winner having won the Dahlia Stakes here earlier in the year and she comes into this very much at the top of her game. Her latest effort at Longchamp came against male opposition and she ran a great race to finish fourth behind the likes of Charm Spirit, Toronado and Night Of Thunder. She has already beaten Integral and Miss France this season and can confirm that form.

Miss France returns to the scene of her greatest triumph to date. She won the 1000 Guineas back in May but has become a shade disappointing since. It is possible that a return to Newmarket will rejuvenate her and if that is the case she may well put a fair few of these well and truly in their place.

Fintry is the other French runner and she has only met with defeat once in five runs this season. She made a winning British debut last month when easily landing the Atalanta Stakes at Sandown ahead of the likes of Odeliz and Water Hole. Whilst she is likely to have improved again subsequently this may prove a step too far. The English runners don’t look good enough and Esoterique can give France a third win in this race within the last four years.

ASCOT

3-50 TOTEPOOL CHALLENGE CUP – 7 FURLONGS

Heaven’s Guest will enjoy the return to seven furlongs this afternoon having been far from disgraced in the Ayr Gold Cup last month. He was a close up fourth on that occasion and was doing all of his best work in the closing stages. He won this race as a three year old last season for Richard Fahey and he has to have every chance of repeating that feat today given that George Chaloner takes a useful three pounds off his back.

Prince’s Trust won in the style of a very good horse at Yarmouth on his return to action following a year off. He is proven over seven and eight furlongs and the talented Cam Hardie in the saddle for the first time. Provided that the dreaded “bounce” factor does not kick in he has the potential to be a very real threat.

American Hope is likely to set a strong early pace and whilst Ascot does suit a lot of front runners, he almost always finds a way to get beaten. Chil The Kite often runs well on fast ground and despite top weight in this he has to have place prospects. He has won at this track previously and he renews his association with George Baker today. Heaven’s Guest is a likeable and consistent sort and it would be of little surprise to see him very much in the mix come the finish.