Pallasator worth another try

We are enjoying an extended family holiday in Canada but I’ve been trying to keep an up-to-date service running on all Marten Julian fronts. I was very happy with Desert Law on the telephone line the other evening but, from what I read, Mark Johnston’s Muhadathat was totally checked in his run at Newbury on Friday. It was galling because the clear and obvious danger Whatdoiwantthatfor obliged at 11/4.

I had mixed feelings about Barwick finishing third in the Shergar Cup mile and a half handicap. It meant a small profit here but he is the type of autumn horse to appreciate a similar handicap at Epsom or Brighton  –  there is quite a valuable one still to come there  –  and all he has done is confirm the handicapper’s view of him, so it will not be easy.

As far as this Saturday is concerned, I prefer the betting opportunities at Newbury to those at Ripon and elsewhere. In the Geoffrey Freer at 3.35 I’m inclined to give another to chance to Sir Mark Prescott’s PALLASATOR, a giant of a horse who has not quite matched his trainer’s expectations. However, he was fourth in a particularly strong Goodwood Cup the other day and still has relatively few miles on the clock. He will stay this trip and beyond and I think this is a fair opportunity for him.

Still on Goodwood, I thought SAFETY CHECK ran a very good third for Godolphin in a rather messy Lennox Stakes. It was a very pleasing effort after a long absence since his Dubai exploits and the Hungerford looks the right sort of task, even if the race conditions make things tricky for him. We are getting towards that time of the season when a very fresh horse may prove too good for those on the go since the spring  –  Windshear, for example  – though I acknowledge that the best of Romsdal’s form makes him a threat. He is not the most consistent, however, and I am wary of taking a short price about him.

Otherwise, Richard Fahey may win the closing ladies’ handicap with the ultra-consistent PIN UP and I’d be inclined to have a very close look at his runners in the Great St Wilfrid and the consolation at Ripon. Frankly, bets should be kept to a minimum but TATLISU was below par last time and is exactly the type to bounce back for the trainer on the day that matters most. Fahey being Fahey, you would have to cover Lexi’s Hero and Don’t Touch to small stakes as well. In the consolation it wouldn’t surprise me if the inconsistent FAST SHOT had a going day in the cavalry charge. He is almost impossible to catch on the right day but Tim Easterby wins this type of race for fun and I expect a prominent showing. Cover anything Fahey runs to small stakes.