Multiples

In the 2.35 at York on Saturday, Great Order is 5lb higher in the weights than when failing by a short head to overhaul Huntlaw, over a mile, at Newmarket last time, but the step back up to a mile and a quarter appears to be in his favour and he can make an impact, even in this higher grade. The Distorted Humour colt remains unexposed over middle distances.

In the 3.45 at York, Hoof It is only 1lb higher in the weights than when third in the Ayr Gold Cup three weeks ago and can gain consolation. The Monsieur Bond gelding was well backed when beating Related and 26 other rivals in the Sprint Stakes at Goodwood on his penultimate start and proved that effort was no fluke with another solid effort at Ayr. He’s won a couple of times over course and distance and is well drawn, in stall 20, to give it another good go.

In the 4.10 at Newmarket, Nakeeta is winless in five starts this season but, frankly, has done very little wrong and deserves a change of luck. She has no stamina doubts, appears to act on any ground and looks reasonably handicapped, so could represent a shade of value at rewarding odds.

Selections: York 2.35 Great Order, York 3.45 Hoof It, Newmarket 4.10 Nakeeta (3 x 1-point Win Singles, 3 x 1-point Win Doubles, 1 x 1-point Win Treble)

In the 3.45 at Ascot on Friday, Platitude returned to form with a convincing 5-length win over Vive Ma Fille in the March Stakes at Goodwood in August on his first attempt over 1 mile 6 furlongs and appears to have been found another excellent opportunity. The Dansili gelding has run well on both previous visits to the Berkshire course and seems versatile, ground-wise, so has plenty going for him.

In the 4.55 at Ascot, Noble Silk is on a long losing run, but was far from disgraced in his two previous efforts over course and distance, in 0-100 company, and has dropped to his lowest handicap mark for three seasons. The Sir Percy gelding probably doesn’t want too much rain, but the faster they go the better for him and a return to the winners’ enclosure under the up-and-coming Josephine Gordon wouldn’t be a complete surprise.

Selections: Ascot 3.45 Platitude, Ascot 4.55 Noble Silk, 1-point Win Double

It’s fair to say that our last few doubles have been truly ‘deadly’, in completely the wrong sense of the word as far as we’re concerned, so we’ve decided to put up a few extra selections this week, in the hope of a large return for a small outlay.

In the 2.35 at Newmarket, Haulani steps up in class off a 9lb higher mark, but fully deserves to do so after readily outpointing subsequent winner Quothquan at Salisbury last month. Course, going and distance are all fine and Paul Hanagan taking over from William Twiston-Davies in the saddle can hardly be considered a negative.

In the 3.40 at Newmarket, Escobar is 2-2 over 7 furlongs and while he may not quite fall into the ‘could be anything’ category, he certainly appears to be a smart recruit, who could be worth following. He only had to be pushed out to win the Washington Singer Stakes at Newbury on just his second start and the third and fourth from that race both won next time, so the form looks decent enough.

In the 4.15 at Newmarket, William Hunter has cocked a snook at the handicapper more than once already this season and the manner of his victory at Sandown earlier this month suggested he may be able to do so again. He steps up in class off a 5lb higher mark, but never looked like being beaten at Sandown and can make it four wins from his last five starts.

Last, but not least, we’re relying on Saeed bin Suroor’s progressive 3-year-old Great Order to bring home the bacon in the 5.20 at Newmarket. The Distorted Humour colt makes his handicap debut on a realistic mark after staying on well to win a conditions race at Ascot earlier this month and remains open to any amount of improvement after just four career starts.

Selections: Newmarket 2.35 Haulani, Newmarket 3.40 Escobar, Newmarket 4.15 William Hunter, Newmarket 5.20 Great Order (6 x 0.5-point Win Doubles, 4 x 0.5-point Win Trebles, 1 x 0.5-point Win Accumulator)

Good luck!