Robin Goodfellow’s racing tips: Best bets for Saturday, July 18
Count on CARADOC (York, 2.30) to put his rivals to the sword in today’s John Smith’s Cup.
Named after a knight of the Round Table, Ed Walker’s five-year-old might not be quite as fearless as his legendary namesake but he rarely shirks a battle and he enjoyed the perfect preparation for today’s feature on Derby Day at Epsom.
The selection had just one rival behind him at the two-furlong marker in the handicap won by Sky Defender yet passed a number of his foes from that point to snatch sixth on the line.
Sportsmail’s racing expert Robin Goodfellow dishes out his tips for Saturday’s meetings
Because of his exuberance, Caradoc has to be switched off and settled otherwise he expends too much early energy. However, a big-field handicap like this afternoon’s on the Knavesmire should help James Doyle encourage his mount to drop his head and relax.
Doyle appears well drawn to find some cover and, although one or two of the main contenders like Solid Stone and Harrovian are still improving, there is every chance we haven’t seen the best of Caradoc either.
Fifth Position would rate a major contender if a shower or two hit York, while Archie Perkins is arguably too big a price given he pushed Harrovian all the way at Doncaster last time and is extremely consistent at 10 furlongs.
The nap vote goes the way of ZLATAN (Haydock, nap, 4.20), who should relish the return to a flat track after running with credit at Pontefract and all four of his career wins have been when he was returned to action between six and 20 days.
YORK
ROBIN GOODFELLOW
12.15 Nomadic Empire
12.45 Garsman
1.20 Tasaamuh
1.55 Universal Order
2.30 Caradoc
3.05 Que Amoro
3.40 Arctic Fox
4.10 Owney Madden
GIMCRACK
12.15 Nomadic Empire
12.45 Clareyblue
1.20 My Oberon
1.55 Communique
2.30 Caradoc (nap)
3.05 Que Amoro
3.40 Make My Day
4.10 Highly Sprung
Northerner – 3.40 Arctic Fox (nap); 4.10 Only Spoofing (nb).
BATH
ROBIN GOODFELLOW
4.35 Twilight Heir
5.05 Coronation Cottage
5.35 Celerity
6.05 Pink Flamingo
6.35 Shoot To Kill (nb)
7.05 Songkran
7.35 Global Agreement
8.05 Searching
GIMCRACK
4.35 Twilight Heir
5.05 Bay Watch
5.35 Dahik
6.05 Veleta
6.35 Shoot To Kill
7.05 Foresee
7.35 Anno Maximo
8.05 Hidden Depths
HAYDOCK
ROBIN GOODFELLOW
4.20 Zlatan (nap)
4.50 Imajorblush
5.20 Sound Of Iona
5.55 Dapper Man
6.25 Commonsensical
6.55 Bell Heather
7.25 Space Walk
7.55 Alternative Fact
8.25 Party Island
GIMCRACK
4.20 Love Explodes
4.50 Kaser
5.20 Shepherds Way
5.55 Dapper Man
6.25 One Over Par
6.55 Danecase
7.25 Al Kout
7.55 Streak Lightning
8.25 Little Ted
NEWBURY
ROBIN GOODFELLOW
12.30 Jaaizah
1.05 Legend Of Dubai
1.40 Isla Vista
2.15 Bowman
2.50 Huboor
3.25 Lady G
4.00 Tinto
4.30 Puerto Banus
5.00 Tell William
GIMCRACK
12.30 La Dragontea
1.05 Maximal
1.40 Isla Vista
2.15 Mighty Gurkha (nb)
2.50 Tonyx
3.25 Virgin Snow
4.00 Shine So Bright
4.30 Puerto Banus
5.00 Casual Reply
Newmarket – 1.40 Sarsaparilla (nap); 2.50 Tomorrow’s Dream (nb).
