Horse Racing Selections: Tom Collins has three recommended trades on Saturday

1.20 Newbury, 1m2f handicap

Races with eight or more runners are thin on the ground in England on Saturday, but the magic number is expected to line-up in Newbury’s 1m2f handicap that opens the card.

Three-year-olds have won six of the last eight editions of this race and the market is sure to be dominated by runners from the Classic generation once again. William Haggas’ Frantanck might be the most logical winner of this event off a mark of 83, but his short-priced (2.1) defeat on handicap debut last time out gave some cause for concern.

Haydock handicap winner Definite gets in off bottom weight and could improve for the fitting of a tongue-tie, while hold-up performer Rogue Rocket takes a notable step up in trip after competing over a mile. You can make a solid case for all three market protagonists, but the value lies with topweight General Lee. 

Paul and Oliver Cole’s four-year-old recorded handicap victories over 1m1f and 1m2f on quick ground last summer despite having a tendency to race keenly. Things haven’t gone quite as well so far this season, but he showed some promise on his recent outing in a much stronger race at Goodwood despite hating every inch of that track. This venue should suit better, while Mohammed Tabti’s 7lb claim could prove vital.

Selection: General Lee @ 8.4

2.50 Ripon, 6f Great St Wilfrid Handicap

Arguably the best punting heat on Saturday comes at Ripon in the form of the Great St Wilfrid, a £100,000 sprint handicap. Usually this race overfills, but only 15 horses will go to post this time around with the consolation event scrapped due to a lack of competitors.

The progressive Blackrod and talented veteran Summerghand head the market, but they’ve been allocated horrific draws in stalls one and three respectively. Should the field split into two groups, as per the norm in this race, those drawn low will likely head to the far-side and therefore become inconvenienced. The last horse to win the Great St Wilfrid on that side of the track was Mattmu back in 2017.

Even if they race in one group, the likes of Blackrod and Summerghand will have to seek cover otherwise they will be fanned out to the middle of the undulating track. As a result, I can’t have either at a relatively short price.

Last year’s winner Justanotherbottle has drawn much better in stall ten and was the last off my shortlist, but I’m going to take a chance on Archie Watson’s southern raider, Emperor Spirit.

Unexposed after just ten career starts (only five of which have come on turf), Emperor Spirit has the best gatespeed in this race and should have no difficulty finding the favoured near-side rail from stall 13. Both of his previous runs at this track have resulted in runner-up finishes, so the undulations don’t cause him an issue, and the booking of PJ McDonald seems to be a positive move.

Selection: Emperor Spirit @ 14

4.28 Newmarket, 6f handicap

Stone Of Destiny has to be one of the unluckiest horses in training, right? Andrew Balding’s seven-year-old regularly contests big-field sprint handicaps and often finds his path blocked as he tries to negotiate tiring rivals. I suppose that is the issue with a classy sprinter that needs cover.

Nevertheless, it is crazy that Stone Of Destiny hasn’t won since the 2020 Portland - a drought of 19 races for such a talented horse seems wrong. Maybe that spell will come to an end at Newmarket on Saturday as Balding pitches him into an easier contest and booked hold-up specialist Jamie Spencer to take the ride for the first time in four years.

There is a misconception that Stone Of Destiny needs a fast early pace, and therefore a big field, to perform at his best. He has only run in races with six or fewer runners on three occasions, and has form figures of 122. A clear run might be the only requirement to see him come out on top against this group.

Selection: Stone Of Destiny @ 4

Recommended trades

General Lee (1.20 Newbury) @ 8.4 
Emperor Spirit (2.50 Ripon) @ 14
Stone Of Destiny (4.28 Newmarket) @ 4