Racing Post Trophy

June 17, 2011
Online Betting King
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Racing Post Trophy

Racing Post Trophy betting preview

Three horses yet to taste defeat will contribute to the ten strong field for Doncaster’s feature race on Saturday – The Racing Post Trophy. The last Group 1 race of the British flat racing season sees Native Khan, Dunboyne Express and Titus Mills battling to preserve their 100% wins to runs ratio. But Frankie Dettori’s ride on the Michael Halford trained Casamento, sees this 2yo colt head the market at a solid 5/2 with William Hill. The ante-post betting ring is in full swing as expected with plenty of runners coming in for cash, but who will the honours in this straight mile dash?

Let’s start with the favourite then. Sheikh Mohammad owns the colt and despite him finding one too good in the September running of the National stakes he delivered last time, sent out at 4/6 he took the Beresford Stakes by four lengths. Frankie will do the steering and Casamento will certainly come in for more money before post time and rightly so as he sets a clear standard on form. He’s beaten a group 1 winner in Aidan O’Brien’s Zoffany and Stan James have him as short as 7/4. He is probably the one to beat but there some interesting runners in this contest.

Ed Dunlop’s Native Khan is unbeaten and has been reported to be ready to run in this race providing the ground does not turn very soft. The soon-to-be crowned Champion jockey Paul Hanagan takes the ride and he’s been impressed with the colt after riding him at home. The grey will be easy to spot in this field, and he has taken the eye in his first two career outings so a big run is expected. Ladbrokes list him at 8/1 which represents great value but can this French import take this with the conditions underfoot a slight worry?

There is a lot to like about Irish raider Dunboyne Express. Kevin Prendergast’s 2yo currently tops the Racing Post’s website poll for predicting the winner of the race with almost a third of the votes. This just shows how exciting a prospect this colt really is and at around the 7/2 (Paddy Power) mark it would be a surprise to not see him get in the mix. Wins previously at the Curragh and Leopardstown mean he won’t give up his unbeaten tag without a fight and it will be interesting to monitor him in the market before the off. Likewise with the final unbeaten horse Titus Mills, who Kieren Fallon will saddle. Brian Meehan has got his 2yo’s in great form of late and after making all at odds on at Goodwood last time he seems way overpriced with SkyBet’s 10/1.

Master of Hounds is one of two entries for Ballydoyle master trainer Aidan O’Brien and if its value you’re looking for he could be the one to be one out of the two. The American colt will be marshalled by Johnny Murtagh and Labrokes go top price with him at 7/1. Earlier in the week he could’ve been snapped up at 9/1 so clearly the dollar is coming in for this smart performer who won a weak event last time out at Tipperary. The competition is sure to be a lot tougher on Saturday and the only worry is that Dunboyne Express has had the beating of him before. But that was only by a short head, so can he reverse the placings when they meet on Saturday. Seville is Aidan O’Brien’s other runner but he’s on the drift ever so slightly in the ante-post rings pushed out to 6/1 from an initial 9/2 at Stan James. Colm O’Donoghue will take the ride aboard Seville but this price looks a little short based on his maiden win. The fact Murtagh has chosen to ride Master of Hounds speaks volumes about his chances and slight preference is for him as Aidan looks to continue his impressive record in this race (won it 3 times in last 10 years).

The remainder of the runners are all 20/1 bar but Toolain from the Jarvis yard could have minor place claims. Forgiving his last run where he didn’t appear to handle the soft ground he has solid claims as long as the ground is good or faster. The Clerk of Doncaster’s course expects the going to good, good to soft in places so depending on the track he may have a slight each way squeak at 20/1 (Bet365). It’s difficult to envisage Karam Albaari (20/1), Dubawi Gold (25/1) and Zaidan (33/1) making any sort of impression who were all well beaten on their respective runs last time. But this is racing and stranger things have happened, but expect one at the head of the market to take the £200,000 purse! If you are betting on the racing Post Trophy, why not open an account with Betfred who are offering a free £50 bet.