Kevin O’Malley’s ITV Racing Tips on Day 1 of Newmarket’s Cambridgeshire meeting
Tipster Kevin O’Malley picks out his main fancies at Newmarket on Thursday as the ITV Racing cameras turn their attention to the Cambridgeshire meeting. There are also a couple of races being shown at Pontefract, where he has one banker pick.
Mile to suit improving Space
LOST IN SPACE continues to progress for trainer John Gosden and the athletic, talented son of Dark Angel can make it a hat-trick of wins in the 1:50pm nursery handicap. He runs from a mark of 90, so there are no hiding places now but a win here will surely see him go on to contest much better races.
He recorded a quick time when scoring over 7f in testing conditions on the July course last time out, but has the versatility to act on any ground. The step up to a mile shouldn’t hold any fears and he should go very well under the champion jockey.
Betsey hitting top form at right time
David O’Meara’s BETSEY TROTTER came good at Thirsk earlier this month, beating off 19 rivals to win nicely and in a quick time to boot under Daniel Tudhope. Harry Bentley takes over today and with few in the 2:25pm race boasting that level of recent form, this Camacho mare is poised to strike once again. She is improving at just the right time of the season and others in the line-up have plenty of questions to answer.
La Barossa promising, but don’t discount Qaader
Mark Johnston has trained two of the last three winners of the 3:00pm Tattersalls Stakes and his only runner here, Qaader, has to enter calculations despite one or two others having more obvious claims on recent form. However, the Night Of Thunder colt drops in class having ran in Group 2 company in his last three outings, while Jim Crowley continues to mop up plenty of winners, with eight to his name in the past fortnight.
La Barrosa was notably impressive on debut at Ascot, but Qaader is a no-nonsense and experienced juvenile who shouldn’t be underestimated.
Switch to turf no worries for classy Mildenberger
The tough, consistent and classy Mildenberger has a lot going for him in the 3:35pm Rose Bowl Stakes, for trainer Mark Johnston and under the assured hands of Franny Norton. The strong stayer has won two of his last three outings and finished a good second in the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes at Newcastle last time.
Five-year-olds have a good record in this race and Mildenberger is just as effective on the turf as he is the all-weather. With 4lb in hand on official ratings, the rest are playing catch up on paper.
Easterby’s grey on the highway to success
Tim Easterby’s stable has picked up considerably in recent weeks and Highwaygrey is one of the many horses to flourish for the trainer. The Dick Turpin gelding won over the course and distance last time out last week and a 5lb penalty is unlikely to stop him going close provided that race hasn’t left its mark.
Highwaygrey absolutely loves this track and although he finds himself running on a career high mark, he’s also on a career high in terms of form and there could be a bit more to come.