3 minute read
Sam King has tipped five winners over the last week and is back with three more selections on Friday.
It was disappointing to see Ombudsman get beaten yesterday evening at Sandown, but he lost little in defeat giving weight away and Opera Ballo and Dark Side Prince, who was a well-backed, both going in helped ease the blow.
On to today, Haydock hosts some interesting action this evening, Pole Star looking ready to strike at the third time of asking for Charlie Johnston in the mile and a half novice (6.05).
A promising fourth behind the Epsom Derby-bound Al Wasl Storm at Chester on his debut, Pole Star found himself denied a head at Newmarket just eight days later.
He still looked very raw and in need of the experience when fourth at Newmarket, so it's easy to think this imposing son of Teofilo can take another step forward, especially with Haydock's long galloping straight expected to suit in comparison to the twists, turns, and undulations he's faced on his two outings to date.
The booking of top course jockey William Buick also catches the eye and while the nicely-bred Valiancy could take a step forward from his fair debut for top connections, Pole Star looks much the safer option this evening.
2pt Win – Pole Star
Odds – Evs
Over at Chepstow, I'm hoping it can pay to stick with the in-form and progressive Pomme Pomme, who took her record to two from two in handicap company with a fairly facile success over the extended mile at Wolverhampton a week ago.
A ready winner over this mile and a quarter distance at Bath prior, Jack Channon's thriving three-year-old daughter of Coulsty will clearly have no problems stepping back up in trip, while the 6lb penalty she carries for her latest triumph is virtually complete negated by Rose Dawes' 5lb claim.
This looks slightly more competitive with Sol Argent, who scored nicely in first-time blinkers at Brighton earlier in the month, appearing as the biggest danger for the powerful Richard Hannon team, but there's a strong suspicion that Pomme Pomme remains ahead of the handicapper and she gets the nod to complete the hat-trick.
1pt Win – Pomme Pomme
Odds – 11/4
Shady Bay has been a fairly sizeable drifter in the early morning markets for the mile and a half Class 5 handicap at Brighton (4.05) this afternoon, making her an attractive each-way proposition at nearly 12/1.
Tom Ward's charge was having her first run on turf since July 2024 when bouncing back to form with a solid second-place finish at Windsor earlier in the month, shaping as though a turn to enter the winners' enclosure wasn't far away. The winner that day, Tralee Girl, has since followed up in fine style at Wolverhampton to give the form some substance.
She's due to go up 2lb in the near future, while it's plausible to think there could be some improvement to come on just her third turf outing. The undulations of Brighton pose a slight question mark, but she appears a fairly well-balanced filly and with Charlie Bishop in the saddle for the first time, she's hard to ignore at the current prices.
0.5pt E/W - Shady Bay
Odds – 12/1
