In his regular column, Daily Star Chief Tipster Jason Heavey marks your card for the weekend racing and beyond – after a big win last time out.
Last week he tipped ALMERAQ who won the Sprint Cup at Haydock at 9-4 and his Future Winners section highlighted THE ANTHONY GOVER who won at 10-3 on Monday.
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. Jason is currently the leading “red-top” tipster in the country in the National Press Challenge table.
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HIGHWAYMAN (3.35) can plunder the riches and create a bit of racing history for Saffie Osborne at Doncaster on Saturday.
She will become the first female jockey to ride a British Classic winner if the Irish-trained horse can steal the Betfred St Leger prize from under the nose of his 10 rivals.
Osborne is riding as well as ever and has been snapped up by Joseph O’Brien for what is an excellent spare ride. Highwayman showed very little in his first four races but has improved hugely in winning a maiden at Killarney and a Listed race at Leopardstown over today’s 1m6f trip.
The son of Persian King was still green and ran around when he hit the front suggesting there is more in his locker. His ability to stay the trip is a huge plus in a race where most of the opposition have unproven stamina.
O’Brien also saddles the favourite Enceladus who is rock solid and is ridden by Billy Loughnane. He has to show he stays – if he does he will be hard to beat.
Derby winner Christmas Day was a little disappointing in the Great Voltigeur at York where he was just behind stablemate Pierre Bonnard. Both should run well but I fear neither will be good enough to win.
Their Ballydoyle stablemate Amelia Earhart does appeal at 33-1 as a nice each-way play along with 16-1 shot Hatteen.
BREACHER (1.45) is fancied to score in the Group Two Betfred Champagne Stakes. He was a good third in the Solario Stakes at Sandown where he left the impression there was much more to come and he looks a value alternative to Desert Castle.
Now ETERNAL SUNSHINE (2.20) has got her head in front this season she should take some stopping in the Betfred Portland Handicap – a race she won last year.
She is a lot worse at the weights with Apollo One – last year’s runner-up – and the latter could be a handicap blot if he brings his A-game but Eternal Sunshine is admirably tough and consistent.
I will be disappointed if MORE THUNDER (2.55) fails to get the job done in the Betfred Park Stakes while INSPIRED (4.15) is a horse at the top of his game and will take some beating in the Pertemps Network Handicap, which is a cracking betting heat.
FLYING FRONTIER (4.48, nb) is interesting in the last race at Doncaster. He caught the eye last time out when staying on well at Sandown after a sluggish start and he has dropped a few pounds in the weights.
It is also day one of Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown and I like Charlie Appleby’s QUEST FOR STARS (2.45) in the HKJC World Pool Golden Fleece Stakes, while BLUE BOLT (3.55) can take the Matron Stakes.
The Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes is a re-run of the Juddmonte International and I fancy ALMAQAM (5.00) to turn the tables on Item.
FUTURE WINNERS
ZERMATT STAR: In good form with a win and a second in the past 10 days and turns out again at Chester today where she will like the dig in the ground.
ROMIDIJO: Has a race or two in her and has been found a good opportunity at Bath on Sunday to get off the mark.
AMBER OCEAN: is a very speedy juvenile who was a bit unlucky last time out and can make amends at Bath today.