Put some light in your life with DARKNESS (4.00) in the bet365 Bunbury Cup.
He hasn’t always looked the easiest but he took his record at Newmarket’s July Course to a perfect two-out-of-two when bolting up over this trip two weeks ago.
More patient tactics seemed to suit David O’Meara’s hope and he clearly enjoys this 7f dash up the straight.
He had become well handicapped and he is still nicely weighted on his best form.
That includes an excellent fourth from an unhelpful draw in Goodwood’s competitive Golden Mile on soft ground last summer.
He’s every bit as good over this distance and there are plenty of potential frontrunners drawn near his stall position. Have 1pt each-way at 20-1. Several bookies are paying out on six places. Sky Bet is stretching to seven.
It could be a dream day for O’Meara. He also trains my fancy for York’s John Smith’s Cup in the shape of French-import MACHETE (3.10).
He finished second behind subsequent French Derby winner Vadeni in a Chantilly Group 3 a couple of years ago.
Things haven’t gone his way since joining his new stable. He found traffic problems when fourth in the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar in May and he found the ground too quick at Newmarket last time out.
O’Meara has a great touch at finding the key to this sort of horse and the big field should help. Have 1pt each-way at 40-1. Sky Bet is going seven places.
BADRI (1.45) was runner-up in the 5f sprint handicap that starts Ascot’s card last year and he’s back for another crack.
He switched trainers from Ruth Carr to Julie Camacho shortly after last season’s effort and he wasted little time in getting himself back into the winners’ enclosure for his new yard.
That success came in a similar race over this course and distance when Woolhampton and Get In – also in today’s field – filled the places.
He’s mostly been running over 6f this season but a well-run race at this shorter trip suits him better. Have 1pt each-way at 12-1. A couple of bookies are paying out on six places.
