Selections for Saturday 5th of October 2024
1.30 Newmarket
1 point each way Noisy Jazz (13/2 Generally, 4 places)
Noisy Jazz made a winning debut on the July course over 1 mile before failing to settle when stepped up to 1m 4f at York in Listed company. She was better on her latest run at Windsor back over 1 mile when she finished third in a Novice Stakes beaten ½ a length. She has been given a mark of 85 by the handicapper which looks fair. The step up to 1m 2f can suit as there is loads of stamina in her pedigree as long as Holly Doyle can get her to drop her head in the early stages.
3.00 Ascot
1 point each way Wiltshire (7/1 Skybet, 4 places or else 7/1 Generally, 3 places)
Wiltshire was a big eye-catcher last weekend at Haydock when finishing second to Blue Storm over 5 furlongs on soft ground. He excels on soft ground and should come on for that run after having a break for 12 weeks. The step up to 6 furlongs will also suit and this horse is on a strong upward curve since joining the Haggas yard. He has improved 12 lbs in four runs for his new yard and now has an official rating of 105.
3.35 Ascot
1 point each way Golden Mind (11/1 Bet365, 5 places or 9/1 Paddy power/ Betfair, 6 places)
Everything looks in place for a big run by the Richard Fahey trained Golden Mind. He was a progressive Juvenile finishing third here in the Chesham Stakes behind Snellen and Pearls And Rubies. He finished ninth of sixteen at York on his seasonal reappearance and was gelded after. He followed that up with a much better second at Doncaster on soft ground. He should take another step forward here and it is hard to see him out of the places. Stall 16 looks a good draw and it is the side I am hoping will have the advantage.
1 point each way Popmaster (20/1 Bet365/ Ladbrokes/ Coral, 5 places)
Popmaster is drawn in stall 17 alongside Golden Mind so I hope I am right about the draw. He was just beaten in this race last year off a mark of 106. He now runs off a 2 lbs lower mark and conditions are in his favour. He hasn’t got his head in front so far this season but he has been competing in mostly Group 3 and Group 2 races. The handicapper has dropped him 5 lbs in the process and with the soft ground and strong gallop to suit I can see Popmaster go close again in this race today.
4.45 Ascot
1 point each way Vintage Clarets (5/1 Generally, 4 places)
Outside the ITV coverage Vintage Clarets looks a bit of an each way steal in the final race on the card. He was on the radar of a well handicapped horse who needs cut in the ground and won on his latest start at Chester over 5 furlongs. The handicapper has nudged him up a further 3 lbs but he will get his preferred underfoot conditions here and has run well on all previous visits to the track. He just did enough at Chester to win and there is more to come from Vintage Clarets who is starting to find his form.
**Date & Time of next Selections Saturday 5th of October at 9pm..