Charlie McCann's Horse Racing Tips Saturday, 12 September - Doncaster, Chester & Leopardstown
Charlie heads to Doncaster on Saturday for his best bet
It's a busy day of racing action in the UK and Ireland, and Charlie McCann is here with his exclusive free horse racing tips - only at FreeBets.
1:45pm Doncaster - Desert Castle
Aidan O'Brien has had winners in the last couple of weeks - from thirty-seven runners at 14% - but it would be wrong to say they were firing on all cylinders. It would be foolish to write them off before Irish Champions weekend, but I have been largely underwhelmed with their British runners in recent weeks.
I backed Gentle Hurricane at York in the Acomb last time when, ironically, he was second to the Ballydoyle-trained Haffner. That was a good run and he and O'Brien's Sergei Diaghilev - listed winner last time - set the standard, but I would be disappointed if DESERT CASTLE could not improve past the pair on the back of his impressive 7f Newmarket maiden success last month.
Billy Loughnane was in the plate on the July course, and he keeps the ride for Charlie Appleby with Will Buick Stateside this evening. The colt currently heads the market for the 2000 Guineas next May at 12/1.
Recommendation: Desert Castle - 11/10 with Ladbrokes
2:05pm Chester - Cranachan
The Ralph Beckett-trained three-year-old CRANACHAN took his form to a new level when scoring over course and distance on his first start at 2m last time. He can defy an 8lbs rise.
He has also improved for the application of blinkers - can race lazily - in his last two starts but will appreciate the ease in the ground at Chester. Nicola Currie takes the ride with the gelding having to carry just 8st 4lbs.
Top weight, Holy See is considered the chief threat, having met trouble in running when second at the Galway Festival last time. He must give 22lbs to Cranachan, however, and preference is for the unexposed three-year-old.
Recommendation: Cranachan - 9/2 with Ladbrokes
3:15pm Leopardstown - Purview
I do not want to see the ground ease from the forecast good for the Kingman colt PURVIEW, but he has done us a couple of favours so far this summer and can continue his progress through the ranks for Dermot Weld.
Connections were, reportedly, considering a tilt at the Champion Stakes but they have decided to go for this lesser race over another two furlongs. His draw in stall eleven is less than ideal, but Colin Keane is on the best horse in the race, and the hope is that he can overcome what could be a wide trip.
Oisin Murphy made all on Sons And Lovers at Longchamp in a Group 2 over 1m6f on his last outing in July. He will want to ensure a decent gallop back down in trip, but he must give 2lbs to the selection, and that might be a bridge too far.
Recommendation: Purview - 7/2 with bet365
3:35pm Doncaster - Enceladus (Nap)
All week the momentum in the market has been for ENCELADUS (Nap), and he finally replaced Derby winner Christmas Day at the head of the market on Friday morning.
If the Aidan O'Brien yard are amongst the winners on Friday, or if Sergei Diaghilev lands the Champagne Stakes, then it is possible that the colt will flip-flop again, but I favour the Joseph O'Brien-trained three-year-old who landed a handicap at Royal Ascot before landing the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood last time.
Christmas Day was beaten more than 4l in the Gt Voltigeur at York in a better race than the Gordon Stakes, and he did give his rivals - all bar winner Maltese Cross - seven pounds courtesy of his Epsom success.
His form has plateaued since the Derby, but he does have the best form in the book; I was impressed with the Goodwood success of Enceladus, who ought to relish the additional couple of furlongs. He can give Billy Loughnane a second classic win of the year.
Recommendation: Enceladus (Nap) - 2/1 with bet365
This is Charlie's Nap of the Day selection - see how it stacks up against Alan Kelly's pick too.
4:15pm Doncaster - Scoville
SCOVILLE is proving frustrating but looked ready for a step back up in distance when third at Newbury last time over seven furlongs.
I appreciate that he looked a non-stayer at Goodwood on his penultimate start at a mile, but he got posted wide, and I am prepared to forgive the run. Both career successes came on fast ground, but this slightly easier ground should suit the William Haggas-trained 4-year-old.
Danny Tudhope takes the ride with Tom Marquand preferring the chance of top weight Bullet Point, who heads the market. He will love the ease in the ground, but I just favour the younger Scoville in a wide-open handicap.
Recommendation: Scoville - 8/1 with Ladbrokes
*Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.
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