Saturday ante-post tips: 8-1 Angel can rise to occasion

The BetMGM Sun Chariot Stakes takes centre stage on Saturday, and I’m going to jump straight in with two feet and back FALLEN ANGEL to repeat last year’s heroics and reverse recent form with the odds-on Blue Bolt. 

The Karl Burke-trained mare had Blue Bolt two and a quarter lengths behind her when giving her year-younger rival 3 lb last season, an easy(ish) lead perhaps exaggerating her superiority on that occasion, but I can see the same scenario unfolding here. 

James Doyle had to work quite hard from a wide draw in the Matron Stakes and could never set the fractions he clearly wanted to due to the presence of Carolina Jetstream whose jockey David Egan was intent on leading. 

This looks like it could be much more tactical, and Doyle might be able to get his rivals on the stretch before ‘the Dip’ as he did when the first two pulled well clear last year. 

I also think that City Of Memphis – with a run under her belt - could get much closer to Blue Bolt than in the Matron, where she challenged on the far side, but Fallen Angel will have had this on her agenda for some time and is the one to back at a general 8-1. 

Later on the card, LORD D'OR might not have the most attractive profile for win-only backers, but he’s worth siding with at 14-1 in the Newmarket Handicap. He was stopped in his run at a crucial stage when a running-on fourth to stablemate Turty Tree at Ascot last time (likely to be strong form; the third Archers Bay has since finished second in listed company), where he was closing all the way to the line. 

He’s clearly not the easiest of rides (and I’m slightly concerned that he might pull too hard in the wide open space of the Rowley Mile), but is clearly on a good mark if persuaded to put his best foot forward. 

Add 16-1 chance SPORTINGSILVERMINE to the staking plan in the same race. The drop back in trip on a speedy track like Doncaster was against him last time, and he will have no problem with quicker ground conditions here; his second to Asgard’s Captain at Ascot off this mark suggests that he hasn’t reached his ceiling yet. 

Up at Redcar, the returning Time To Turn is respected but fellow three-year-old THE PRETTIEST STAR looks the best bet in the Racing TV EBF Stallions Guisborough Stakes. I don’t think she has fully stayed the trip on her two starts at a mile this year (which includes a fine fourth in the 1000 Guineas), but she caught the eye with a strong finishing effort when third over seven furlongs at Doncaster last time.  

The slower ground here should suit, and she’s fancied to land a first win of the year in the Wathnan Racing colours having been bought privately after Newmarket. She has an entry at Ascot, but didn’t impress there on quick ground in the Jersey and I’m hopeful that she will head north again where this flatter tracks looks a better fit.

At Ascot, TENABILITY looks a typical improver from the William Haggas yard, and I expect him to continue his progression with a strong showing in the BetMGM Cumberland Lodge Stakes. He successfully gave weight to his rivals at Windsor last month, and his previous third at Deauville (at this Group Three level) has been franked by those who finished around him.  

At 4-1, he makes more appeal than stablemate Al Aasy (who has to give weight away and would prefer slower ground), impressive Old Borough Cup winner Aegean Prince, and Al Qareem. The last-named was six lengths ahead of a three-year-old Tenability 12 months ago, but that was in testing ground, and he faces a much-improved model now. 

Finally - hopefully saving the best until last – the best bet of the weekend comes in the John Guest Racing Bengough Stakes. This Group Three was one of the messiest races of last season, with the weakening frontrunner Quinault one of several horses to hamper PRINCE OF INDIA who was ultimately eased. Hopefully, this year’s race will go more smoothly for the Marco Botti-trained sprinter. 

What encourages me most is that this improving four-year-old doesn’t need to be held up now, as demonstrated by a comfortable two-length defeat of Elarak from the front in a HQ listed race last month. 

He could easily have been placed with a smoother passage in the July Cup, arguably chased the wrong horse when second to Coppull in the Hungerford Stakes, and looks a much-improved horse since the application of blinkers. 

Receiving weight from Elmonjed and possessing a comprehensive win over C&D, he offers much greater value than favourite Division who was only a neck ahead of him in the July Cup and is now 5 lb worse off at the weights. Get stuck into the 7-1 about a tough, progressive sprinter who could look a lively Champions Sprint outsider after Saturday. 

back FALLEN ANGEL at 8-1

back LORD D'OR at 14-1

back SPORTINGSILVERMINE at 16-1

back THE PRETTIEST STAR at 8-1

back TENABILITY at 4-1

back PRINCE OF INDIA at 7-1