In his regular column, Daily Star Chief Tipster Jason Heavey marks your card with some horses to watch during the coming week – and beyond.
Jason is one of the country’s leading newspaper tipsters. In 2023 he did the rare double of winning both national tipping titles – the Racing Post Press Challenge and also the coveted Racing Post Naps Table. And he had a brilliant few days at Glorious Goodwood, including picking five winners on day one.
He is currently the leading “red-top” tipster in the country in the National Press Challenge table. Every week, he will bring you the ‘Ante-post Focus’ – a look at some of the big races to come. ‘This Week’ – some of his tips on horses running over the next few days. And ‘Future Winners’ – horses you should definitely keep an eye on.
ANTE POST FOCUS
The York Ebor Festival has been described as the “Royal Ascot of the North”. Fair comment, although some would say it’s even better.
The four-day meeting kicks off next Wednesday (August 19) and it is already gearing up to be fantastic sport. The Sky Bet Ebor itself is on the final day and bookies are going 10-1 the field – they’re clearly puzzled who to put at the top of the market.
THIS WEEK
Running plans are fluid for many of the leading contenders but I am hoping that TARRIANCE will line up.
Andrew Balding’s four-year-old was a huge eyecatcher when third at Goodwood recently where he hit the front after travelling smoothly before finishing an honourable third with a big weight.
That was his first run since the Yorkshire Cup in May and York is where Tarriance gained his finest moment when winning the Melrose Handicap at last year’s Ebor meeting.
He has been nibbled at in the market from 25-1 into 14s (best price at the time of writing) and that could still be a good price.
I am not sure if Joseph O’Brien will send Gordon Stakes winner ENCELADUS to the Great Voltigeur Stakes but if he does then the 10-1 looks good value.
He is highly progressive and although Derby winner Christmas Day and runner-up Maltese Cross could take their chance Enceladus looks a bit overpriced.
REGIONAL ROCK (3.00) is a strong fancy to win at Salisbury on Wednesday. He ran a terrific race at Windsor recently from an almost impossible draw to come third.
I liked the way COUNTER INTUITIVE won at Newmarket last month and she is an improving filly. She runs at Salisbury on Thursday night and off a 4lb higher rating still looks well treated.
DONTLOOKBACKINANGA showed plenty of promise on his racecourse debut at Sandown and he is worth noting at Newbury on Friday although it could be a very warm race.
FUTURE WINNERS
EMPIRICAL: Won as he liked at Ayr and the handicapper has only put him up 4lb. Entered at Newbury on Saturday.
EVENFALL: Cosy debut winner and is well entered up in better races. Should follow up if she takes up her weekend entry.