Six meetings go to post on Wednesday, 21st September, with the UK action coming from Goodwood, Kempton, Perth, Redcar and Southwell, plus the one meeting in Ireland as their harvest festival continues over in Listowel. Our lucky 15 includes a trio on the card at Goodwood, plus our tip for the feature at Listowel – the Kerry National.
Our expert tipster has produced their best bets across the cards, which make up our advised Wednesday Lucky 15.
*Odds correct at time of posting – 4:47pm Tuesday 20th September*
Midnight Lion (1.50 Goodwood) – 11/4
The “Frankel maiden”.
The great horse won this on debut 12 years ago and this time expensive buy Lenormand (Dubawi) justifies a short price for William Buick and Charlie Appleby at @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/VKJbY3cshk
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 12, 2022
A future star could come out of this race, and although Galactic Jack is the one the bookies are expecting to win this, we’re siding with MIDNIGHT LION. The form of his debut fourth could hardly be working out any better and he can get the better of the favourite.
The second (Castle Way), third (Ndaawi) and seventh (Mister X) have won next time out, with the fifth placed (Night Life) chasing home Ndaawi at Goodwood next time. With improvement likely, he should go extremely close in this.
Galactic Jack will be the danger, but the form of his debut third isn’t working quite as well as our selection. So, we think it’s well worth taking on Galactic Jack, and with the top jockey booking of William Buick, Midnight Lion looks the one to side with.
Percy’s Lad (2.25 Goodwood) – 11/2
This looks quite an open race, but the one that stands out for us is PERCY’S LAD. He won well at Chester last month and despite a 4lb rise following that way, he’s still 2lb lower than his highest mark and this looks a perfect opportunity to follow up.
He virtually made all that day, and his front-running style could work again here. One of the other recent winners – Shelir, just edged out Boardman by half a length. Percy’s Lad finished over four lengths clear of that rival at Chester, so he should have the beating of that rival at least.
The biggest danger looks to be Alazwar, who made all to score at Haydock earlier this month. But he’s now on a career high mark, so he could be worth taking on, and we think it’s worth siding with Percy’s Lad at tempting odds.
Viola (4.10 Goodwood) – 11/1
It may be a bit strange tipping one E/W in a six runner affair, but we can’t ignore VIOLA here.
The majority of her rivals also have doubts around their chances:
- Wickywickywheels has never won away from Hamilton
- Strawberry is yet to race over this far
- Secret Shadow is yet to win at this level
- Sea Sylph disappointed last time out.
That leaves it down to two horses – Viola and Single. Mick Channon’s filly won over this distance two runs back, but failed to follow up when raised to a mark of 83 and she remains on that mark here.
Viola has done most of her racing in better company than this, and she hasn’t run without promise. Her second in the Group 3 Pinnacle Stakes was a solid effort, and although she failed to get close in her two runs since, the 53 day break should see her to best effect.
We can’t see many reasons as to why she is a double-figure price for this, and with doubts over her rivals we’re happy to tip her E/W, even if it is only paying two places.
Gabbys Cross (4.20 Listowel) – 12/1
Seven year olds have won five of the last seven renewals and we’re siding with another seven year old this year – GABBYS CROSS. Henry De Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore teamed up to win this with Poker Party in 2019 and in Gabby’s Cross, they look to have a fantastic chance again this year.
He travelled like a dream to win at Galway last time out, with Busselton unable to go with him and eventually finishing over two lengths behind the selection. The way he stayed on towards the finish suggests the extra distance here should suit, and he’s a cracking price to land this!
The biggest danger could come from Busselton for last year’s winning trainer Joseph O’Brien, but he’s a five year old and they don’t have the best record in the race (no winner aged younger than seven in the last ten years) and he keeps finding one too good. We’re hoping he finds one too good again in the form of Gabbys Cross.