Andrew Balding: I've got 12 exciting runners on a busy Saturday
The Betway ambassador assesses the chances of all his horses this weekend - with six entries at Ayr, four at Newbury and another two heading to Newmarket.
Ayr runners
Recovery Run has done nothing wrong on all four of his starts this season. He’s been very consistent with three seconds and a first and Dingle – the horse that beat him last time out at Kempton – is a good horse.
The track and trip should suit him well and he should be competitive in the 13:20 off this slightly higher mark.
Fox Chairman ran well at Windsor last time, but just got stuck at a vital stage of the race before running on well to the line.
The better ground and more conventional track should suit him here in the 13:55.
Obviously, it’s not going to be easy to beat Addeybb, who is a Group 1 winner and sets the standard, but he does have a 7lb penalty to concede.
King’s Lynn runs in the Ayr Silver Cup (14:30). His primary target was the Ayr Gold Cup but, sadly, he didn’t get in. The consolation race is still a good prize to win and I think he’s well-equipped to go very close.
We’ve always thought a lot of him and the form of his previous run has worked out well, with the winner going on to win a Listed race since.
I don’t know if a low draw will be a disadvantage. I guess only time will tell.
Stone Of Destiny won the Portland Handicap very well last week and the drying ground will certainly help him in the 15:40.
He’s backing up again quickly, but that’s easier to do with sprinters. He’s shown nothing to suggest he’s not in the same sort of form as last week and a repeat of that performance should see him go well.
Zwayyan knows more about the game than I do – only he knows when he’s in the mood to put his best foot forward. Everything looks to be in his favour in the 16:15 and, on his best form, he should run well, but it’s down to him.
Bronze River has been very consistent this season and didn’t get the run of the race at Wolverhampton last time out.
A return to turf and this trip of 1m 5f in the 16:50 shouldn’t be a problem for him and he should give a good account of himself.
Newbury runners
Oo De Lally goes in the opener at Newbury (13:05).
He didn’t show a great deal on his first start, but he’s always been a bit of a slow learner and is one that should improve with time. He’ll want further as he progresses and is more of a horse for next season but, saying that, he has improved in his work at home.
Good Birthday has delivered some sort of consistency on his last two starts since the application of cheekpieces, finishing third and fifth.
These are his ideal conditions – 1m 2f on a big, galloping track, so he should play his part in the 14:15.
Fivethousandtoone was an impressive winner at Newcastle last time out. We’ve always thought a huge amount of him, so it wasn’t a surprise to see him win it in the style that he did.
This race (15:25) is a big step up in class – and I’m slightly surprised to see him favourite – but the conditions look ideal for him and I hope he can prove what we think of him at home.
Achelois is having her first start in the 16:00 and, while I think she’ll need the experience, she is a lovely filly and is the type to come forward from her first run. She’s a horse for the future.
Newmarket runners
Lily Like is returning to Newmarket where she ran her best race to date.
She showed her slight temperamental side last time out and that always raises a concern in a maiden filly. With that said, judged on her homework, if she puts her best foot forward then she’s got the ability to go close in a race of this nature (15:15).
Lissitzky is having his first run of the season in the 15:50.
He shaped like a proper stayer last term, despite losing his way slightly after winning well at Newmarket. He’s been purposely kept for an autumn campaign and what he does here will decide where we go next.
He’s fit and well and the trip should suit.
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