Horseracing Tips Saturday 27th September

1355: Fasig-tipton Rosemary Fillies’ Handicap

MAGHYA is awarded our vote ahead of the likes of Basque Beauty and Jamboretta. The majority of these fillies haven’t quite lived up to the lofty ambitions that have been held for them at various stages of their careers but are probably high enough in the handicap as a result of their endeavours. Jockey bookings point to Maghya being the owner’s second string in this contest but we’ll take her to make the most of the weight she receives from her rivals. She had been progressing well in handicaps prior to a slightly disappointing run at Newbury where she raced too keenly, but she meets the winner of that race on 3lb better terms here and may have benefited from the break. Ghaidaa has to be mentioned given that she’s the preferred mount of Richard Hills. She has proved disappointing since winning her maiden but produced a much better performance in Listed company last time when finishing strongly from off the pace; there is a concern that the same scenario could unfold. Lindelaan and Raymi Coya were amongst those behind there and the former is overlooked by Ryan Moore in favour of Jamboretta, who has a little to prove in this grade at this trip despite not being beaten all that far in a Group 3 on her penultimate start. Basque Beauty won her maiden very impressively over course and distance but has not lived up to the promise of that performance; she has only had four starts though and the booking of Murtagh takes the eye.

1430: Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes

ORIZABA can prove a popular winner with Frankie Dettori doing the steering while of the opposition Almiqdaad and Cityscape are feared most. Ballydoyle are represented by Set Sail and Indian Ocean here but neither appears to have the requisite class to win this race even allowing for the relatively modest subsequent record of recent winners. Orizaba sets the standard having defeated subsequent Group 2 winner Lord Shanakill in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood. That victory made amends for defeat in the Coventry where the beat he missed at the start cost him dear. He shapes as though he’ll get the mile well enough and can take another step up the ladder.

Almiqdaad had a length to spare over Cityscape when winning his maiden but the run that he had under his belt played a part in that and it’s difficult to choose between the pair. The runner-up went on to win by nine lengths earlier this month, prompting connections to supplement him for this contest, and their judgement should be rewarded by a return on their investment. Both have proven stamina and will exploit any weaknesses that the selection may possess in that quarter. Of the remainder, a little improvement could see Patrician’s Glory land a share of the spoils again.

1505: Meon Valley Stud Fillies’ Mile

RAINBOW VIEW can keep her unbeaten record intact while the main opposition may come from Fantasia and Dreamtheimpossible. John Gosden has a fine record in this Group 1 contest having won it with the likes of Nannina, Playful Act and Crystal Music in recent years and he has another potential star on his hands in the shape of Rainbow View. There’s no knowing how good she is at this stage as she has yet to come off the bridle, winning both her maiden and the Sweet Solera by six lengths before taking the Group 2 May Hill Stakes by a margin of two lengths which flattered the vanquished. It remains to be seen how much she can produce when asked to pull out all the stops but there’s no doubting that she is very, very good. Luca Cumani won this with the talented and popular Gossamer back in 2001 and Fantasia has followed the same route into this race. There were a few pundits happy to crab the form of her debut success given that it was run in a downpour but she confirmed herself to be a smart performer when running on strongly to win the Prestige Stakes at Goodwood. The 1,000 Guineas has already been earmarked as a target for this daughter of Sadler’s Wells which is an indication of the regard in which she is held and this further step up in trip is certain to suit but connections have stated their concerns about her ability to handle fast ground. Dreamtheimpossible is the selected entry of three from the Wachman yard and must be respected. She was a major eyecatcher on debut when making good late headway without ever troubling the winner and confirmed that impression when pitched into Listed company next time and running out a length and a quarter winner; the second had won her maiden impressively at the first attempt and was firmly put in her place at the Curragh. Her trainer knows what’s required to win the big races over here and she should be in the mix. The Queen’s Golden Stream merits a mention having won her maiden well but this is a huge step up in class and she will have to be out of the top drawer to lower the colours of Rainbow View.

1540: Totesport.com Challenge Cup

Our three for this race are MASTERSHIP, Giganticus and Atlantic Story with John Quinn’s runner getting the nod. His selection is in no small part due to the presence of Johnny Murtagh in the saddle as the Irishman is riding at the top of his game this season and will need to be so here to deliver this tricky ride at the right time. Mastership looked to be a shrewd acquisition by the Yorkshire trainer as he has the scope to win a big prize such as this from his current mark. He was beaten under four lengths over course and distance in the International on his penultimate start before his run at Kempton where he didn’t get the requisite cover. He should get plenty of that here and it’s a question of whether the gaps appear at the right time and whether the draw has a part to play and with the latter such a concern it seems prudent to have a runner on each side and, of those drawn low Giganticus makes plenty of appeal. He wasn’t been far in the International from the same mark as today and appears to have been aimed at this race; he’s unlikely to be far away. Stablemate Zaahid shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand as he had looked useful earlier in the season and may be able to bounce back but we’ll put Atlantic Story forwards as our third nomination. Mick Easterby’s gelding has been far more successful on the all-weather than turf but his handicap mark reflects that and he ran well enough on ground that wouldn’t have suited on his first outing since May. This longer trip will suit, the run will have brought him on and he appeals as one of the more interesting outsiders.

1615: Queen Elizabeth Ii Stakes

HENRYTHENAVIGATOR may have had his unbeaten run ended at Longchamp recently but he can resume winning ways here at the main expense of Tamayuz with Raven’s Pass having to settle for an honourable third. Henry’s defeat behind Goldikova in the Prix du Moulin was in no small part down to the ground as he never looked at ease on the rain-softened surface and he has now been beaten on all three starts with ’soft’ in the going description. There is rain forecast but the straight course has drained quickly since the redevelopment and he should have conditions to his liking and can continue his trainer’s domination at the highest level. Tamayuz is a stablemate of Goldikova and adds another dimension to this fascinating contest. A wide draw was no help to him in the French Guineas but he defeated Raven’s Pass by a length and a half in the Jean Prat before slamming Natagora in the Jacques le Marois. Raven’s Pass has got closer to Henry with each outing and had reduced the margin to a head at Goodwood – although connections of the winner were quick to claim that their charge was always doing enough. The remainder are merely extras on the big stage.

1650: Miles & Morrison October Stakes

MAJESTIC ROI is the class act in the field and can prove the point; she may have most to fear from Francesca D’Gorgio and Spinning Lucy. The selection escapes a penalty for her defeat of Nannina in the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes last October which is a boon to her chances as is the return to racing against her own sex. The one concern is the trip but she ran well enough over this distance at Newbury last time to think that she can master this opposition. Francesca D’ Gorgio has a high rating due to her record at two but she has a bit to prove on this season’s form. Her latest effort at Yarmouth was a step in the right direction but she will need to build significantly on that if she’s to take this prize. If there is to be a shock then it could be produced by Spinning Lucy. Her yard has struggled for form for much of the season but is firing on all cylinders now and this filly produced her best run of the term when staying on into fifth behind a stable companion at Doncaster. She’s capable of winning at this level and rates an each-way chance in a race where there’s little between the runners with the exception of Majestic Roi.

1725: Broadway Gordon Carter Handicap

WHENEVER is preferred to Greenwich Village and Victoria Montoya in the finale. The selection has been frustrating to follow this season with the exaggerated hold-up tactics which have been employed failing to bear fruit. There’s no doubt that he’s handicapped to win a race of this nature, he has the scope for further improvement and has proved his affinity for the track; hopefully, a change of pilot will prove key. Desert Sea had finished a long way in front of him at Sandown in June but has no margin for error at the revised weights. Ascalon was very impressive at Newmarket but steps up half a mile in trip and has to race from a 13lb higher mark; he may prove up to the task but has to be taken on with so much to prove. Greenwich Village also faces a rise in the weights but he has nothing to prove in regard to this trip; this is a step up in class but he’s progressing well and looks capable of holding his own. Victoria Montoya has been well held the last two times but has legitimate excuses for both performances; prior to that she had battled on gamely to win a well-contested race at Sandown. She’s a tough sort who won’t go down without a fight but we’ll be hoping that Steve Drowne can deliver his challenge at the right time and that Whenever will sweep past her in the final furlong.

Henrythenavigator To Rule Supreme

Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot looks to be a tip-top renewal, featuring as it does the clash between Henrythenavigator and Tamayuz.

The former of course is a dual 2000 Guineas winner, and a four-time Group One winner this season, while Tamayuz has done nothing wrong in his last two starts. They were also Group Ones, beating Raven’s Pass at Chantilly and then 1000 Guineas heroine Natagora and company in the Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville.

It is difficult to choose between the pair but the ground is crucial and they have been threatening to water the track at Ascot this week. That suggests it will be on the fast side and certainly the quickest surface Tamayuz has encountered thus far.

In contrast Henrythenavigator loves top of the ground and I’m sure the ease in the ground was the excuse for his defeat at Longchamp last time where in all honesty he didn’t run too badly. He was going on nicely at the finish and is a better horse under Saturday’s conditions.

On the expected ground I just favour Henrythenavigator especially as the two pacemakers in the race suggest there will be a fierce early gallop. The selection is perfectly suited to coming off a strong pace.

On a line through Raven’s Pass there is little between the two horses. Tamayuz beat him a length-and-a-half in the Prix Jean Prat while John Gosden’s charge has been getting closer to Henrythenavigator in their three meetings this season.

However it seems Raven’s Pass isn’t quite good enough to beat his rival and Henrythenavigator is given the nod in a fascinating renewal.

Sabana Perdida is an interesting representative of the older generation as she has good quality form but not quite up to Group One standard.

The other runner, Winker Watson, has yet to convince me he truly stays a mile.

The Royal Lodge Stakes has attracted some good juvenile colts, notably recently runaway Salisbury winner Cityscape. He was deeply impressive in winning by nine lengths from previous course winner Such Optmisim. The third horse has won subsequently – albeit at a lower level – and you couldn’t knock the performance.

Cityscape is beautifully bred being by Selkirk out of a very smart mare called Tantina. He has it on pedigree and he caught the eye on his only previous start when second to Almiqdaad in a hot maiden. He reopposes here but had the benefit of a previous run when they last met and I expect Cityscape to reverse that form.

One of the chief dangers to the seleciton is Orizaba who won the Champagne Stakes at Goodwood. That form is working out really well, with subsequent Mill Reef winner Lord Shanakill in second while the fifth home, Shahell, has won the Gimcrack and been touched off in the National Stakes in two starts since.

The problem for Orizaba here is he has to give away a three pound penalty, as does Firth Of Fifth, the top horse. I also have a slight doubt about Orizaba getting a stiff mile on pedigree.

Aidan O’Brien runs two and Indian Ocean looks to be the stable number one on jockey bookings. He was beaten a long way behind Mastercraftsman in the National Stakes last time and while the son of Montjeu is open to improvement, it would be a disappointing renewal of the Royal Lodge if he was to win judged on his form to date.

Cityscape is the most interesting runner in the race and my selection.

The Fillies’ Mile has attracted 1000 Guineas favourite Rainbow View and she must take the world of beating.

All formlines point in her direction and that isn’t taking into account the manner of her three wins to date at Newmarket (twice) and then the May Hill at Doncaster.

In the latter-named race she beat Snoqualmie Girl and Lahaleeb with Rose Diamond in fourth. She’d previously chased home Fantasia at Goodwood and that line of form suggests Luca Cumani’s charge will struggle to get close to the favourite. The fifth in the May Hill, Uvinza, was second to Golden Stream on her previous start. The winner that day will improve but again she is it all to do against the favourite.

Rainbow View has been winning her races very easily and will be very hard to beat but is no betting proposition. Just watch and enjoy.

Dreamtheimpossible is an interesting runner for a David Wachman stable that has some very smart juveniles this season. She is a beautifully-bred daughter of Giant’s Causeway out of a very smart American mare called Spain. She won a Listed race at the Curragh last time and is a likely improver.

That said, Rainbow View will be very hard to beat.

The big betting race of the day is the totesport.com Challenge Cup and the one I like here is Signor Peltro who I thought was an unlucky loser at Goodwood last time.

He didn’t get the best of rides for me there when staying on strongly into third behind South Cape. He got too far behind and didn’t get the best of luck in running but strongly suggested he could win races off his current mark.

He’d earlier won at Goodwood over seven furlongs, beating Bunbury Cup winner Little White Lie. The stiff seven here could be ideal for Henry Candy’s charge