SIMON SAYS – My 3 Best Bets week 2

At The Races All-Weather expert Simon Mapletoft highlights three performers he expects to make an impact on the All-Weather this week.

Suroor gelding to set best example

I’m on duty for At The Races at Wolverhampton on Tuesday night where Godolphin’s improving gelding BEST EXAMPLE bids to follow up an impressive victory at Chelmsford City.

Saeed Bin Suroor’s three-year-old remains lightly raced and won with a ton in hand over a mile at the Essex track last time. He can defy a 5lb rise at the expense of exposed opposition over a slightly longer trip on the Tapeta (6.40).

I expect him to relish the test with the promise of more to come over longer trips in due course. Indeed, he holds an entry in a mile and a quarter handicap back at Chelmsford on Friday. He may not take up that engagement but his trainer clearly has that new distance in mind.

Rich can cash in on falling mark

Last winter RICH AGAIN was one of the most progressive handicappers on the Wolverhampton Tapeta and might be ready to strike again in a seven-furlong handicap at the West Midlands track on Tuesday (5.10). James Bethell’s six-year-old rattled up a four-timer on the surface, scoring twice over course and distance, and returns off a mark 5lb lower than the 80 he scored off in his final success in January.

Rich Again, who has been lightly campaigned on the Flat, ran well enough without being able to land a blow in a six-furlong event at Chelmsford last time, finishing within three lengths of the winner on a track that favours those racing close to the pace. He looks primed to make an impact at rewarding odds under Ted Durcan, who won three times on the gelding last season.

Royal runner up to light up Kempton

Sir Michael Stoute, who unleashed a smart prospect in the shape of debut winner Vaunting at Lingfield last Thursday, can take the Listed Floodlit Stakes at Kempton on Wednesday evening (7.10) with The Queen’s smart three-year-old DARTMOUTH, who has the credentials to upset All-Weather heavyweights Fire Fighting and Grendisar.

The son of Dubawi looked highly progressive in the summer, winning mile and a half handicaps at Ascot and Glorious Goodwood, and had excuses on soft ground when last seen on the track in September. He has never raced on an artificial surface but this athletic colt looks equipped to cope and is ready to try his luck at Listed level.

Top rated Fire Fighting couldn’t come into the race in better form following back-to-back victories at Chelmsford and Dundalk but has to concede 11lb to Dartmouth in a better race. Fire Fighting holds last year’s winner Grendisar on Chelmsford running and Marco Botti’s star returns to the Sunbury circuit with something to prove.

* Supersta, selected in last Friday’s Blog, won at Wolverhampton at rewarding odds of 7-2.

SELECTIONS:

Best Example (Nap)
6.40 Wolverhampton, Tuesday

Rich Again (ew)
5.10 Wolverhampton, Tuesday

Dartmouth
7.10 Kempton, Wednesday