Swinging the bat on Saturday....

Friday, 22nd May 2026

Swinging the bat on Saturday….

How to play my Watch List horses….

In ATC today….

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

I’m on PATHEIN in the 1.25 at Goodwood – up at 20s….

…. I’m on LANGSTONE at 10s & 9s in the 2.20 at Haydock….

…. and I’m on PARTISAN HERO at 16s & 14s in the 2.40 at York….

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….

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…. the Harroways – Goodwood – 1.25....

A horse with a three-figure rating wouldn’t be the first on the list for most punters….

…. but I’m going against the grain and backing Ed Dunlop’s PATHEIN at 20s....

Connections think something of him – enough to give him a G1 entry at Ascot….

…. and I like that he went to Goodwood on seasonal debut – a perfect sighter for this….

I also like the step back to 7f on this handicap debut….

…. because in all three of his races to date….

…. the maiden he won against some quality horses at Doncaster….

…. the G3 next time out at Newmarket – beaten 1.75l by a horse now rated 114….

…. and his first run this term….

…. he ran big until the final stages of the mile – when his effort wilted….

He might have needed it last time – but he looks like a horse that will prove stronger over tomorrow’s shorter trip….

…. and if his G1 entries are based more on substance than wishful thinking then a mark of 103 would look lot better in hindsight than it might this morning….

I’ve spent a long time agonizing over Pat Dobbs….

It’s a decade since he rode for Dunlop and with 18 jockeys on duty at Goodwood – and 18 runners in the race – Dobbs has the look of a rider of last resort….

…. and I see how that might provide grounds to swerve the bet….

On the other hand, Dunlop’s in the habit of using the best rider available and whilst Dobbs is no statement booking he is an old hand with a calm head….

…. with loads of big-field handicap experience – and plenty of it at this idiosyncratic track where positioning counts and races can be lost in two strides….

The bottom line is that I’m bought into the idea that this race is a plan….

…. and – at the price – I can live with the voices in my head screaming “…. but what about Pat Dobbs….???”

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…. the Silver Bowl – Haydock – 2.20....

It doesn’t get easier – with a 3yo handicap at Haydock over the mile….

It’s a bigger field than usual….

…. the early pace is out wide….

…. there’s plenty of it….

…. much of it will want to get across to the inner before the bend….

…. I see the race setting up for something to come late….

…. and I like LANGSTONE at 10s & 9s….

Trainer Clive Cox won the race twice in the last decade – both times with horses arriving off a decent win….

…. and Langstone fits that bill – winning going away with a strong late challenge at Kempton last month over 7f….

…. and giving every impression that the step up to a mile will suit….

The fifth horse home franked the form with a next-time-out win that earned him a 5lb rise and revised rating of 100….

…. and I’m in no doubt Langstone is well handicapped on 87….

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…. the Epic Boost – York – 2.40....

We’ve got an easy one to finish with – a 21-runner affair up the 5f strip at York….

…. and if that’s not a straightforward slam-dunk job – then I don’t know what is (I jest)….

Winners came from all over the straight track at last week’s Dante meeting….

…. and I’m not going to waste any time trying to figure out which side of the track will be favoured tomorrow….

My job is to back one that can run a big race at a price and I’ve landed on PARTISAN HERO at 16s & 14s….

Last seen at Chester in May running over 7f, he’s spent the largest portion of his career running over a mile….

…. but he’s clearly versatile and in Bharain over the winter he ran two belters over the minimum trip – finishing third and second in decent big field contests – both times off 91….

He’s just a pound higher tomorrow and well worth a shot at a big pot over the minimum trip in this country….

He set the pace both times in Bharain….

…. and with not many in tomorrow’s field standing out as go-forward types….

…. he could well get a lead and prove difficult to reel in late on….

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Now, just to recap….

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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