Tipping Tim’s Weekend Preview

Saturday sees the first qualification round of the inaugural All-Weather Championships at Wolverhampton. This series is an excellent idea and it is another big step towards the Polytrack game being taken as seriously the Slow-Yaks-Jumping-Over-Small-Fences-In-Muddy-Fields game.  It’s unfortunate than Ron Harris has seen fit to boycott the grand final but, assuming that Spinning Ridge’s non-participation doesn’t keep the crowds away too much, I think the series can prove to be a resounding success.

I will be keeping a close eye on the Wolves action but tomorrow’s nap has to be Soviet Rock in the 3.30 Newbury. It was only a few months ago that this beast was putting Hillstar to the sword and, although things haven’t gone to plan since, he turns up here off 93 and with a 3yo’s allowance. He has presumably had some problems over the summer but he runs like a horse who will love bad ground and, with the Balding barn buzzing, he should return cherry ripe tomorrow.

The next best this weekend is Piping Rock in the 2.20 Newbury. There are a lot of exposed types in this Group 3 and Piping Rock and favourite Galiway look the two to focus on. I won’t pretend to know much about the latter (although Andre Fabre presumably hasn’t sent him over for the Air Miles) but I was really taken with Richard Hannon’s colt at soggy Salisbury and, with Hartnell franking the form on Friday, he looks the value call.

For the Trixie I will side with my new favourite 2yo; Aeolus in the 2.05 Doncaster. Ed McMahon’s son of Araafa is from a wonderful family and he has looked like a bit of a star on his last two starts.  Musical Comedy admired his backside from a suitable distance at York and has since won two on the bounce, so Aeolus looks ready for this step up in grade tomorrow.

Good luck with all your bets this weekend!