The pick of the prices on Saturday....

Friday, 24th July 2026

The pick of the prices on Saturday….

In ATC today….

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

I’m on GREAT ACCLAIM in the 2.55 at Ascot – up at 16s….

…. I’m on APOLLO ONE at 16s in the 2.00 at York….

…. and I’m on CHRISTIAN DAVID at 11s in the 4.45 at Ascot….

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 International – Ascot – 2.55....

Extremely Zain is all the razz for this – with connections referring to him as ‘a Group horse in disguise’ earlier this week….

Fair enough…. he’s three from three…. already rated 101…. and an improving prospect…. no doubt….

…. but he lacks experience at this level and in this kind of assignment…. and it’s not like the form of his C3 win last time out at York is smashing it….

If he’s as good as they say he is, and if he’s on-song, then he might well win pulling a cart….

…. and I must confess that I’d be happier with a few more runners going to post – just to make it a proper crowded affair with all the rough and tumble that would imply….

…. but at 15/8 he demands to be take on – and I’ll take my chances….

Amazing Journey is interesting – stepping up in trip having won at the track over 6f a fortnight back….

…. he’s 5lb well in….

…. and a distinct lack of early pace might play into his hands late on if it becomes a test of speed at the finish….

But at the prices preference is for GREAT ACCLAIM at 16s….

He threw in a duffer at Newmarket last time – something he doesn’t do very often…..

…. and he can bounce back at a track where he’s got plenty of good form in these valuable big-field handicaps….

He was 2/20 in the Schweppes last year off 97….

…. he was 4/15 in the Challenge Cup off 100….

…. he was 2/28 in May’s Victoria Cup off 98….

…. and 3/28 in the Buckingham Palace in June off 100….

In other words, he’s been knocking on the door….

…. and this might just be a weaker race – the jolly notwithstanding….

…. and he looks a little overpriced….

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…. the Dash – York – 2.00....

David O’Meara runs Veblen Good in this with Kieran Shoemark booked for a first time ride….

Why isn’t Daniel Tudhope in the saddle – like he was for the last two assignments at Thirsk and Ayr….

It’s a good question and the answer is self-evident – because he rides the old stager APOLLO ONE for Peter Charalambous & James Clutterbuck instead….

Tudhope can’t do the weight on O’Meara’s other runner Yes I’m Mali….

…. and unless there’s been a fall-out with the owners of Veblen Good (which I have no way of knowing about)….

…. I can only assume that Tudhope rides against a horse trained by the long-time principal supplier of his rides because there are special circumstances of some sort….

Could it be that 8yo Apollo One is down to a mark of 94 – the lowest mark he’s ever had in his career?

As an 8yo you wouldn’t think he’s the horse he once was….

…. but consider this – he was only beaten 3.5 lengths in last year’s Wokingham off a career-high rating of 109….

…. and he was second in the Portland at Doncaster in September off a mark of 102….

Yes, we expect older horses to regress – but has this older horse regressed so much so quickly….

That’s the question….

…. and I’m not sure he has – hence Tudhope wanting to take the ride in what are unusual circumstances….

You wouldn’t look at Apollo One’s record and automatically pick out York as his track….

…. but he’s had excuses on each of the three occasions he’s appeared there – ground, track position & class….

…. and In a handicap, off a basement mark of 94, with the clue in the riding arrangements….

…. I’m happy to roll the dice, take the 16s, and back the old boy to have a late-career day in the sunshine….

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…. the Betfred – Ascot – 4.45....

Richard Hannon’s CHRISTIAN DAVID is the pick of the prices in my book for this one….

Finishing 4/9 like he did at Doncaster last week doesn’t leap off the page as a performance of note….

…. but he caught the eye that evening making up ground on the outside wing late on – having raced in the rear in a contest where the early pace setters had the advantage….

He probably wanted it quicker early doors to take the finish out of the principals over the 7f trip….

…. and the return to a stiff mile at Ascot tomorrow looks sure to suit….

He started the season on 92 and – after a couple of underwhelming efforts on the AW – he’s dropped to a mark of 88….

…. the mark he won off at Newbury last term….

…. and a mark I reckon he can do the business from in this better company….

Not all the firms are up with prices as I go to press – but those that are offer 11s and that’s plenty acceptable….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back on Monday – with picks for Day 1 at Goodwood….

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

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

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd