A quick look at the stats shows there might just be a decently-priced winner in the big handicap of the day
The big race on Friday is most certainly the Mile and, although we have a big field to contend with, the draw should sort about half of them out.
The winners of this race have come from stalls 5, 13, 8, 1 and 7 in the last five years, demonstrating the importance of a low draw. It is also worth noting that seven of the last 10 years have been ridden handily. The benefit of being prominent in this race cannot be understated, you do get winners coming from behind but for every horse that gets a run there are two horses having a troubled passage.
The Rectifier hardly jumps out of the page when you look at this race, but he has plenty in his favour here. First of all he is well drawn in 2 and could get an easy lead with the only other low-drawn competition for the lead being the out of form Ocean Tempest. Winning off his mark of 102 is certainly feasible – this time last year he beat Magic City by a length off a mark of 100 and Magic City went on to finish third in this race off a 4lb higher mark.
The Rectifier showed nothing on his first two starts this season but ran a very creditable fifth in a strong York handicap after a two-month break. He will surely strip fitter here and the course should be no problem either as he has previously finished second in a listed contest over this course and distance. There are probably better handicapped horses in the race but The Rectifier looks hugely over-priced at 20/1 and is worth backing each way.
Course and Distance winner set for more sprint Glory
The Group 2 King George Stakes over 5f is going to be fast and furious and those with form over a fast 5 are preferred. David O’Meara has an incredibly strong hand here with both Move In Time and Out Do in the field. The former is very interesting given he carries no Group 1 penalty for winning the Prix De L’Abbaye last season, but the fact that Daniel Tudhope will be riding the improving Out Do suggests that the latter is the stable number one.
Out Do may struggle to confirm form with Cotai Glory from their meeting last time at York. Out Do only beat the 3yo by half a length and that was Cotai Glory’s seasonal debut. The horse won over course and distance at this meeting last year in the Molecomb Stakes and he can register a win for the in form Charles Hills.
Backing the Hof won’t be a hassle in the last
Mark Johnston will be eyeing a win in Friday’s closing contest with Rhythmical, who comes here off the back of a debut maiden win. An opening mark of 76 could be lenient, but it is impossible to tell at the moment. Unless there is a major market move he could be best left alone.
One that seems guaranteed to run well is Sir Michael Stoute’s Peterhof ridden by Ted Durcan. The pair were unlucky earlier in the week with Top Tug and should this horse get luck in running he has to be the most likely winner. On his seasonal debut he finished third behind the talented King Bolete, who finished a very credible fourth in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot next time out. The 4th won a handicap on his next start and the 2nd and 5th have both finished second since.
Peterhof built on that with a close third at Newmarket next time down a furlong in trip. On that occasion he was held up on a day when coming from off the pace was almost impossible and the two horses in front of him that day both won their next starts. Despite these strong efforts Peterhof has only gone up 2lbs in the handicap and a race of this nature is at his mercy.
Second place special: Betway will refund losing bets on selected races up to £25 if your horse finishes second and is beaten by less than a length. Terms and conditions apply.
