Saturday 13th May 2023

 



14:40 Ascot

SAFE VOYAGE would be a bit of a trend buster for the anoraks being a 10 year-old, but I think he could have a good chance back over 7f for the first time this season. His final run last season in the Balmoral here was hugely eyecatching, following a similar path to subsequent Lincoln winner Migration on that occasion after meeting trouble in running finished well to be fourth. Migration went on to win the Lincoln on his return this year, and although Safe Voyage was dissapointing in that it looked a run to put a line through.

John Quinn's charge is now down to a mark of 97 having been rated 116 at his peak and proved this mark was in reach last year when finishing 2nd in a big handicap at Leopardstown when probably left with too much to do. His draw in 22 should be a positive, with high draws usually favoured in this race and he's close enough to Tylos that he should get a nice tow into the race. At the time of writing you can get 14/1 six places with two firms and I think that is worth taking.

The worry is that, although high draws are usually favoured, there is a decent amount of pace drawn low and biases are tricky to predict on the straight course. So for the purposes of the @Handinapcomp I will be having Barodar as my second selection but won't put him up as a bet on here.

SAFE VOYAGE 14/1 - 1 Point Each-Way


15:15 Haydock

Didn't expect to be having a bet here but at the prices this morning I think WASHINGTON looks very good each-way value with extended place terms widely available. He has some seriously strong novice form in the book finishing 2 lengths behind I Like To Move It and less than 2 lengths behind Datsalrightgino in hisn next run.

He also has decent handicap form with his run at Aintree this time last year looking particulalrly good. He was probably left with a bit too much to do that day but ran a blinder to finish 3rd, the winner is now rated 9lb higher and there were some solid handicappers in behind, including this years county hurdle winner Favoir.

His seasonal debut at Ascot back in October was another good run in a race which favoured prominent racers and the heavy and soft ground was probably against him in his last 2 races but he ran very well in both anyway. There are a few in with a shout but I think he should run very well and would be very disappointed if he couldn'tr finish in the first 5 off a mark of 124.


WASHINGTON 10/1 - 1.5 Points Each-Way


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