Month: May 2015

In the S.V. Rutter Handicap (4.50) at Newcastle on Tuesday, the fact that connections reach for a first-time visor on George Cinq is a slight cause for concern, but Michael Bell’s 5-year-old doesn’t appear to have any problems with his attitude, despite finishing second on his last three starts. The son of Pastoral Pursuits remains 6lb higher in the weights than when winning a 0-85 contest, over a mile, at Ascot last July, but his recent form suggests that he is by no means impossibly handicapped.

In fact, the way in which he stayed on in the closing stages when third, beaten a length, in what looked a much more competitive race for the grade, over 7 furlongs at Doncaster just over a week ago suggested that a stiffer test of stamina would suit him. Newmarket trainer Michael Bell has a respectable 6-28 (21%) strike rate overall at Newcastle during the last five seasons, but is 0-6 with older horses in that period, so the statistics are not as favourable as they first appear. Nevertheless, George Cinq is usually a reliable sort and deserves some reward for his consistency.

Selection: Newcastle 4.50 George Cinq to win   Tipster: David

In the Time For Tea Cup Handicap (1.55) at Bath on Monday, Emily Davison is clearly no world beater, but was only just touched off, after trying to make all, in a 0-70 contest at Brighton last week and can make amends off the same handicap mark. Indeed, the Moss Vale filly is just 1lb higher in the weights than when winning, in the grade, on the Polytrack at Chelmsford City three starts ago, so could prove difficult to peg back.

Her Chelmsford win was her first for twelve starts, but she ran creditably in defeat on more than occasion last season off handicap marks in the sixties, so it’d difficult to argue that she’s not, at least, reasonably handicapped. She’s yet to win on firm going, but won a couple of times on good going last summer, when in the care of Karen Tutty, and ran well on good to firm going last week, so she should be effective on it. She’s also won over 5 furlongs at Hamilton, so the stiff, uphill finish at Bath should play to her strengths.

The presence of rising star Oisin Murphy in the saddle can only be a positive and she seems sure to be popular at the 7/2 available in the very early price lists.

Selection: Bath 1.55 Emily Davison to win          Tipster: David