Charlie McCann's Horse Racing Tips Saturday, 26 September - Newmarket & Market Rasen
Charlie heads to Market Rasen 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.
3:00pm Newmarket - Inner City Blues
Orthodox lost his unbeaten record when looking a non-stayer in the Prix Morny last time on ground officially described as soft, although the winning time suggests it was good ground. He will appreciate the fast ground on the Rowley Mile, but I am a huge fan of INNER CITY BLUES and hope the Charlie Appleby-trained juvenile can maintain his own 100% record and make it three from three.
The selection has only beaten a total of eight horses in winning a York maiden and then the Group 2 three-runner July Stakes, but he has been visually impressive, although this Group 1 is a big leap in class from that poor Group 2 when last seen. He does hold an entry in the Dewhurst over an additional furlong next month, which suggests connections are not convinced he is all speed.
Note he is currently 25/1 for the 2000 Guineas next May - his stablemate wins that – and 20s for the 6f Commonwealth Cup the following month.
Recommendation: Inner City Blues - 7/4 with William Hill
3:40pm Newmarket - Gavriel (Each-Way) & Principality (Each-Way)
The last two winners of the Cambridgeshire were drawn low, but the eight previous were drawn twenty-one or higher, and Pathein (15) and Crest Of Fire (7) were high on the shortlist, but my two against the field are the three-year-old GAVRIEL (28) and year older PRINCIPALITY (20).
John Gosden was the last trainer to saddle a three-year-old winner of the race with Lord North in 2019, adding to other winners from the classic generation the yard previously sent out with Halling (1994), Pipedreamer (2007) and Wissahickon in 2018.
Gavriel has only had four career starts and was last seen beating Balzac – now rated 100 – by almost two lengths, giving the second 7lbs at Ascot on handicap debut. He is 2lbs "well-in" from a rating of ninety-nine and, while he holds no fancy entries going forward, is likely a pattern race performer going forward. He lacks big field experience but looks sure to run a big race with three-year-olds receiving 5lbs from their elders.
Principality is another who would be carrying an additional 2lbs if this were not an early closing race, having finished second at Salisbury last time. That form is not working out too well and was on good to soft ground, but the selection was denied a run at a vital time and will enjoy returning to a quicker surface. His draw in twenty is a slight cause for concern, but 25/1 on Friday morning was too big.
Recommendations: Gavriel (Each-Way) - 11/2 with William Hill (5 places) & Principality (Each-Way) - 25/1 with bet365 (6 places)
4:50pm Newmarket - Sword Maker
SWORD MAKER has been off the track since finishing second – giving the winner 2lbs – to the subsequent Group 1 winner Title Role when last seen over a mile in Meydan back in January. The winner is now rated 111, and the booking of Oisin Murphy for Saeed bin Suroor's three-year-old suggests a big run is expected.
I am slightly surprised to see the Godolphin-owned three-year-old back at 7f in the wonderfully named Hunt Family Fund Handicap, his first start in 239 days, given his pedigree and latest Meydan run suggest a mile and more will suit. All three of his two-year-old successes did come over six furlongs.
His racecourse debut – when fading close – was his sole previous start at today's trip, but Murphy was in the plate for two of his three juvenile victories, and I will be disappointed if connections cannot get another win into this son of Pinatubo.
The classic generation have won the last three renewals of this corresponding race, and Murphy/bin Suroor teamed up to land the prize with the three-year-old Dubai Legacy back in 2019.
Recommendation: Sword Maker - 4/1 with bet365
5:30pm Market Rasen - Un Sens A La Vie (Nap)
Brian Hughes rode a treble at Perth on Thursday, but I thought he gave The Last Cloud the most bizarre ride for one who had had a prep run over hurdles. Yes, it was his chase debut, but he jumped the first few fences impeccably, with Hughes pulling him back instead of allowing him to bowl along.
I mention the race as it was nice to see the Twiston-Davies yard have the winner with Spectacularsunrise, and I hope to see the stable follow up at Market Rasen with UN SENS A LA VIE (Nap), who was beaten 3l by subsequent Supreme Novice winner Old Park Star at Kempton back in November, giving the 155-rated winner 6lbs.
He has an excellent record fresh, needs good ground and a flat right-handed track clearly suits. He looks potentially well treated off a mark of 128, and this valuable handicap looks an excellent starting point.
One would imagine he will be taking in plenty of good ground handicaps at Ascot and Kempton this autumn/winter – less so Sandown and its inevitable bog – although this is no gimme with ten of his eleven rivals holding realistic claims.
Recommendation: Un Sens A La Vie (Nap) - 7/2 with bet365
This is Charlie's Nap of the Day selection - see how it stacks up against Alan Kelly's pick too.
*Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.
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