Saturday Scoop 6 Selections

An awful run from Friday's selection, but such are the risks when one tips up handicap debutants. When they win at a big price you can look very clever, but on this occasion the writing was on the wall from a long way out. His price drifting out to 25/1 suggested such a run was expected by connections too.

Onwards and upwards though, and Saturday sees a feast of quality racing for punters to sink their teeth into. This week I have decided to have a look at the Scoop 6 races, and below are my selections for each leg.

2.00 GOODWOOD GROUP 3 PRESTIGE STAKES (7F)

Conditions at Goodwood are currently described as soft, but with very little rain forecast between now and the start of racing it is likely to dry out. Tacky, gluey ground is a distinct possibility, and this is unlikely to suit the current market leaders Belvoir Bay and Fireglow.

One that has already shown form on softish ground, and whose trainer has stated a clear preference for such a surface, is the Kevin Ryan trained filly Dutch Mist. She is  a beautifully bred daughter of Dutch Art, and her Dubawi dam is out of a half sister to the dam of Byron. She has won 3 from 5, her last win a handicap off 85 at Thirsk (6f good to firm).

She was given too much to do by her young jockey last time in a deep 6f handicap at Newmarket off a mark of 92, and even so she wasn't far behind Show Stealer(3rd), who she is 7lb better off with today. She looked to be crying out for a step up to 7f the last day too, and she gets that, along with the plum draw in stall 1. Granted a good start she shouldn't be far away.

At an even bigger price the Stan Moore trained Manhattan Skyline ran a race full of promise last time out in a Listed heat at Deauville (7f) and it would be dangerous to discount her.

STEVOS' SELECTIONS: DUTCH MIST 10/1         MANHATTAN SKYLINE 16/1(E/W)

2.20 LISTED BEVERLEY BULLET STAKES (5F)

You can read my in depth preview and analysis here at Bettingtools.co.uk.

2.35 GOODWOOD HANDICAP (7F)

A devilishly difficult handicap to decipher, and the likelihood of sticky ground further complicates matters. Magic City loves it around here, and doesn't mind a bit of an ease. However, he looks weighted to near his best at the moment and is a very hard horse to win with at the best of times.

Suzi's Connisseur showed clear signs of returning to form here last time out (6f good to firm), and he has a great draw in stall 2. He races off a mark of 97, 3lb lower than his last win which came off 100 last October. He has won four races on ground ranging from heavy to good, and one of those wins was a Listed contest. The step back up to 7f should suit today, the ground will be fine and he has a super draw. He looks sure to go close and can be backed at 8/1.

At a big price Jack's Revenge may well hit the frame, as he did in this race two years ago off an identical mark. He is another that won't mind a bit of ease in the ground and he looks overpriced with the considerable assistance of Dane O'Neill in the plate. He hasn't got a great draw in stall 19, but as he is a hold up horse it is not too much of a hindrance. He likes the track (last four runs form figures 3242) and is overdue a win here. He looks too big a price at 33/1.

STEVOS' SELECTIONS: SUZI'S CONNISSEUR 8/1   JACK'S REVENGE 33/1(E/W)

2.50 NEWMARKET HANDICAP (1M5F)

A chance is taken on Spectator for the Balding yard here. His horses have a habit of hitting form in late August/September and this 4yo gelding, a winner on good to firm and soft in the past, shaped as if a return to form was imminent on his penultimate run over 16.5f at York, a trip that stretches his stamina.

He had previously run well over 12f at the same venue, and in all honesty his run at Nottingham on soft (14f) last time was very disappointing. I am willing to put a line through that run though,and hopefully this brother to Side Glance can return to form with David Probert back on board. He can currently be backed at 16/1.

Bottom weight Intense Tango for Karl Burke is another that could run a big race. She is a useful hurdler, and was very unlucky last time at Pontefract over 12f, badly hampered and then staying on well for 3rd. She stayed on well over the same trip on her previous start too, and this step up in trip to 13f ought to suit really well. She is only 6/1, but she looks to have a cracking chance granted better luck in running.

STEVOS' SELECTIONS: SPECTATOR 16/1 (E/W)       INTENSE TANGO 6/1

2.55 BEVERLEY HANDICAP (5F)

Another nightmarishly difficult handicap, and a wide open race. One that may well outrun his huge odds is Noodles Blue Boy for Ollie Pears. This 9yo has looked to be out of sorts recently, but he had showed some of his old spark at Leicester back in June, beaten into 2nd by under a length off 74.He again ran well at the same venue, but on his return to Beverley he ran two stinkers, hampered badly at the start both times.

His last win came here in this month last year, and he hosed up by 4 lengths off a mark of 70. He was in stall 1 that day, but he also won here back in 2010 and managed that from stall 7, the same draw he has today. Tom Eaves has won on him before. He also won in August 2013, so evidently he likes it at this time of year. 20/1 looks massive, and he should run a big race off a mark of just 68.

STEVOS' SELECTION: NOODLES BLUE BOY 20/1 (E/W)

3.25 NEWMARKET LISTED HOPEFUL STAKES (6F)

Yet another tricky race to conclude the Scoop 6, and the ground will be key to the outcome of this one. Good or better and Lucky Kristale should be hard to beat. She was an exciting 2yo filly, and for whatever reason her 3yo season just didn't go to plan. She has looked to be returning to something like her old form in recent runs, and her effort at York last time was a big step back in the right direction. She loves quick ground though, so if there is soft in the description it will be damaging to her prospects.

If there is a slight ease in the ground Wet Sail could be the one. He was highly tried after his maiden win, and showed he handled cut on debut. He didn't cut much ice in Group 1 company at Santa Anita upped to a mile, and his seasonal reappearance was nothing to get excited about. However, he showed distinct signs of a resurgence in a Listed race at Chester last time out, and if Lucky Kristale doesn't get her ground this fella could be the one to capitalise. He looks a solid each way bet at 13/2.

STEVOS' SELECTIONS: LUCKY KRISTALE  3/1         WET SAIL 13/2 (E/W)