Racing Tips · Saturday 12 September

Stephen Welch's ITV Racing

Stephen Welch

Racing Tipster

Stephen WelchITV RacingDAILY RACING TIPS

• 1:30 Chester

  Virgin Bet Stand Cup Stakes (Listed Race)

  1m4½f | Class 1 | Good To Soft

  Dubai Honour 8/11

  Cieren Fallon/William Haggas

  DUBAI HONOUR is very well treated by the conditions and should take plenty of beating back at a more suitable trip. His third in the Geoffrey Freer came after a 126-day break and over an extended 1m5f on ground that was faster than ideal. He had previously finished a close second in Group 1 company in Australia and an official rating of 117 gives him a clear class edge here. With conditions in his favour, he looks the one to beat.

  

  Dubai Honour

  1:30 Chester

  Best Odds8/11
• 1:45 Doncaster

  Betfred Champagne Stakes (Group 2)

  7f | Class 1 | Good To Soft

  Gentle Hurricane 6/1

  Jason Watson/Andrew Balding

  GENTLE HURRICANE made a strong impression when winning on debut at Salisbury and took another clear step forward when second in the Acomb at York last month. That Group 3 looked a useful race and he travelled well enough to suggest this similar trip will continue to suit. With only two starts behind him, there should be more improvement to come and he looks capable of playing a major role against more exposed rivals.

  

  Gentle Hurricane

  1:45 Doncaster

  Best Odds6/1
• 2:05 Chester

  Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Watergate Cup (Class 2 Heritage Handicap) (gbbplus Race)

  2m | Handicap | Class 2 | Good To Soft

  Stressfree 8/1

  Mark Winn/David O'Meara

  STRESSFREE has not won for some time but continues to shape as though a major staying prize remains within reach. His sixth in the Ebor at York was a solid effort in a much stronger race, while he also ran respectably over 1m6f at Haydock last weekend. He is now down to a mark of 96 and has winning course form, so this first attempt at two miles is worth exploring. If the longer trip brings improvement, he can get involved.

  

  Stressfree

  2:05 Chester

  Best Odds8/1
• 2:20 Doncaster

  Betfred Portland (Class 2 Heritage Handicap)

  5½f | Handicap | Class 2 | Good To Soft

  Eternal Sunshine 8/1

  Lauren Young(5)/Jim Goldie

  ETERNAL SUNSHINE returns to a race she won last year and arrives in similarly strong form after following a narrow Hamilton second with victory there three weeks ago. She is only 4lbs higher than when successful in this contest 12 months ago, while Lauren Young's 5lbs claim helps offset the rise. Her stable has an excellent recent record in the race and this sharp intermediate sprint trip clearly suits. She looks capable of another bold showing.

  

  Eternal Sunshine

  2:20 Doncaster

  Best Odds8/1
• 2:55 Doncaster

  Betfred Park Stakes (Group 2)

  7f | Class 1 | Good To Soft

  Flora Of Bermuda 7/1

  Callum Rodriguez/Andrew Balding

  FLORA OF BERMUDA is worth another chance back down in grade after finding Group 1 company too demanding at York last time. She had been in excellent form beforehand, winning a Listed race at Newmarket and Group 3 contests at York and Goodwood, including over this seven-furlong trip. Her record at the distance remains a major positive and an official rating of 111 leaves her competitive on these terms. At the prices, she looks capable of bouncing back.

  

  Flora Of Bermuda

  2:55 Doncaster

  Best Odds7/1
• 3:35 Doncaster

  Betfred St Leger Stakes (Group 1)

  1m6½f | Class 1 | Good To Soft

  Pierre Bonnard 10/3

  Wayne Lordan/A P O'Brien

  PIERRE BONNARD has developed into a high-class middle-distance colt and looks ready for this longer test after two strong efforts over a mile and a half. He finished only a neck behind Derby winner Christmas Day when third in the Irish Derby before chasing home Maltese Cross in the Great Voltigeur, where he again stayed on strongly. His pedigree gives encouragement for the extra distance and with an official rating of 116 he has the class to play a leading role.

  

  Pierre Bonnard

  3:35 Doncaster

  Best Odds10/3
• 3:55 Leopardstown

  Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron Stakes (Group 1)

  1m | Class 1 | Yielding

  Blue Bolt 11/10

  Andrew Balding

  BLUE BOLT has been transformed this season, winning all four starts and progressing from Listed company to back-to-back Group 1 victories. She has already beaten Precise twice over a mile, most recently in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville and her official rating of 119 sets a very strong standard. The margin was narrower last time, but she remains unbeaten this year and arrives from a stable in excellent form. She looks capable of confirming her superiority once again.

  

  Blue Bolt

  3:55 Leopardstown

  Best Odds11/10
• 4:15 Doncaster

  Pertemps Network Handicap Stakes

  1m | Handicap | Class 2 | Good To Soft

  Inspired 15/2

  Jack Nicholls(3)/K. R. Burke

  INSPIRED is thriving at present and can take another step forward despite moving into much stronger company. He has won three of his last four starts, including decisive victories at Goodwood and York and crucially escapes a penalty for last weekend's success in a 19-runner apprentice handicap. Jack Nicholls' 3lbs claim leaves him carrying just 8st 8lbs, while his recent form shows he is effective on a range of ground. He looks well treated enough to remain competitive.

  

  Inspired

  4:15 Doncaster

  Best Odds15/2

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