Ayr Lost But Take Cover Can Win – By Rick Elliott
There is a lull in the quality of the racing on the Flat today between the St Leger meeting at Doncaster and the Arc meeting at Chantilly next weekend. It was a chance for one of the minor tracks to take centre stage but that opportunity has been lost and TAKE COVER is now the standout bet of the day at Newbury (4.00).
There has been some rain in the Ayr area but not of Biblical proportions. The loss of each day of the track’s principle Flat meeting is disappointing and was caused by one patch of waterlogged turf. The Ayr Gold Cup is the biggest Flat race in Scotland and was due to be shown live on ITV4.
With no racing at Ayr the principle meeting is at Newbury where the racing is more competitive than from the top draw. Despite being at the veteran stage Take Cover has the highest Racing Post Rating in his race.
The Mill Reef Stakes (2.50 Newbury) is a Group 2 race for two-year-olds and has been won in the last two years by Ribchester and Harry Angel who have both gone on to win at the highest level. There doesn’t appear to be a potential superstar in today’s field but JAMES GARFIELD is an improving the horse rated to win this race:
Newmarket is the headquarters of Flat racing in Britain and stages two Classics, major juvenile contests and heritage handicaps. Today’s meeting is average with only one race worth more than four figures. The Cesarewitch Trial (3.10) is a 20 runner handicap over two miles two furlongs and ORIENTAL FOX has the class to prevail carrying top weight.
However, TAKE COVER is my Saturday Banker Bet!
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