Picks for a handicap-stacked Saturday....

Friday, 15th May 2026

Picks for a handicap-stacked Saturday….

In ATC today….

…. I bring you my best picks in the handicaps on ITV on Saturday….

I’m on AL AZD in the 3.45 at Newbury – up at 9/2….

…. I’m on DESERT COP at 25s in the 4.20 at Newbury….

…. I’m on MAN OF LA MANCHA at 11s in the 5.00 at Newbury….

…. and I’m on SILVER GHOST at 6s & 11/2 in the 2.50 at Newmarket….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below….

Read on….

-----

…. the London Gold Cup – Newbury – 3.45....

Roger Varian has a rock-solid record at Newbury….

…. both generally – he boasts a total place strike rate of 40% from his last 262 runners at the track….

…. and on this specific card – his last eight runners produced form figures of 32222114….

I reckon his AL AZD can add to that record in this one – and he’s the pick at the general 9/2….

He’s yet to show his hand in a race for proper money….

…. but he turns out here off a mark of 92 having produced back-to-back wins this term….

…. and he’s improving at an absolute rate of knots….

Last time out at Doncaster he improved on his peak RPR by 9lbs and won easily – he was in a completely different division to the rest….

…. and whilst that was over the 12f trip, I’m not concerned about the step back tomorrow because this horse does boast genuine speed….

There’s loads more to come from this Shadwell colt….

…. and he can go in for a yard that won this with Defoe in 2017 (this column was on) and Sadaad last year (ditto)….

-----

…. the HKJC World Pool – Newbury – 4.20....

Just about anybody could stand up in court and make the case for Mirabeau, Addison Grey, Far Above Dream, and Wiltshire….

…. because they each turn out here on the back of impressive last time out performances that suggest they might scale greater heights still….

Of course, in taking them on as a matter of default I might well be leaving a winner on the table….

…. but that’s an unavoidable occupational hazard when your occupation involves taking a contrarian stance against the market and making a case for horses at bigger prices (if or when there’s a practical case to be made)….

…. and I think there are several such cases to be made in this one….

Purosangue, for instance – he met problems last time on his first go for sprint specialist Robert Cowell and he’s very well-handicapped if his new trainer and fresh surroundings have reignited the old spark….

…. and Albasheer, is another – the old boy’s stall capable on a going day, he ran well last time, and he too races off a good mark for his first go on turf since September 2024….

But the one I’ve opted for is DESERT COP at a proper big price – he’s 25s with bet365 (nobody other firm is up with prices yet – but he’s going to be around that kind of price when the others do get out of bed)….

He was rated too high to make an impact last summer after a good winter in Bahrain….

…. but he’s down to 90 now and he’s shown the right signs at Nottingham and Windsor over the last few weeks…. 

It’s a long while now since he ran a big race in a Listed contest over tomorrow’s track and trip as a 3yo – a career best on the RPR scale….

…. and I’m not suggesting he’s the same horse now….

…. but he doesn’t have to be – and the point is that the track suited and he’s well worth another crack on the same strip tomorrow….

-----

…. the Boyle Sports Early Payout – Newbury – 5.00....

I’m backing Ralph Beckett’s MAN OF LA MANCHA for this one at the 11s with bet365 – he won’t be far off that mark one way or another when the other firms go up with their prices….

I thought he ran a nice race on return at Newmarket – looking very much in the closing stages like a horse that would come on for the appearance….

He was beaten 4.5 lengths by Spanish Voice….

…. but that one drew clear and my man was plenty close enough to the second and third horses….

He hadn’t been since September whilst Spanish Voice had been out on the track three times since February and was entitled to have a fitness edge….

He reopposes tomorrow but my selection benefits from a 9lb turnaround at the weights and I think he’s good value at almost twice the price….

-----

…. the Read Meg Nicholls’ Blog – Newmarket – 2.50....

Emma Lavelle’s SILVER GHOST won at the second time of asking last term….

…. and after running with promise on seasonal debut at Newmarket earlier this month – she can be backed to repeat the trick tomorrow at 6s & 11/2….

She perhaps didn’t help herself that last day by being slightly tardy at the start….

She raced in the rear in the early stages – alongside eventual winner Billyjoh….

…. but as she moved to the far side to make a lone challenge under David Egan, the winner and the second had each another to run against closer to the stands side – and that proved an advantage….

Silver Ghost kept on nicely at the end and will likely come on for the run….

…. we know she likes the track – having won a decent handicap last term….

…. and she’s down a pound to 91 – every little helps….

-----

Now, just to recap….

-----

That’s all for today….

I’ll be back with more next week….

Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd