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Dickens to defend unbeaten status

Written by Brendan Gaillard | Nov 26, 2022 5:47:23 PM

Switching to the longer run-in of the summer course on his return to Kenilworth is unlikely to inconvenience Charles Dickens who, with racing experience and the promise of further improvement in just his fifth start, is worth backing to complete a five-timer and head into the Guineas with a 100% record,

Stablemate Narina Trogon, as well as Kingdom Of Heaven from the in-form yard of Justin Snaith, are themselves highly thought of three-year-old colts with super pedigrees.

Neither has, to this point, produced the level of form of Charles Dickens, but both are likely to improve on encouraging last starts which ought to see them play a role in the finish.

Former Guineas winner Russian Rock is favourably treated by the conditions of the race and should be competitive, though may be vulnerable to his lesser-exposed younger rivals.

Winchester Mansion, another talented Trippi colt, has been sparingly raced but shrewdly placed by trainer Brett Crawford, so could provide the biggest threat to Charles Dickens and his unblemished record.

He won a 1400m comeback following a four-month break and that victory went unpunished by the handicapper. He would've tightened up since so should prove better than his current rating with the benefit of that run and improved fitness on his side.

The Bass-Robinson yard and stable jockey Aldo Domeyer, who rides Charles Dickens, should bag a double on the day with the return to 1000m likely to suit Ma Black in Race 8. She finished second over this distance two starts back when returning from a rest, and her last start over 1100m should be taken with a pinch of salt.

On that occasion she showed plenty of toe before tiring in the concluding stages, suggesting the shorter trip should be to her liking in what is also her peak outing, with Domeyer back in the irons.

He has ridden the daughter five-year-old mare to all five of her career wins - of which three have come over 1000m, including two over the course and distance.

 

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 11 Runway Bomb, 6 Captivate, 3 Miss Hannigan, 5 Sunshine Day

Race 2: 13 Speeding Bullet, 3 Manchester Fighter, 11 Gimmelightning, 14 Nishino

Race 3: 6 Electric Feels, 8 Rafiki, 9 Night Tiger, 1 Not In Doubt

Race 4: 9 Inside Story, 8 Doubling Up, 10 Contiguous, 11 Madison Blues

Race 5: 3 Daisy Duke, 5 Royal Invitation, 8 Medlers Tart, 2 Catchusifyoucan

Race 6: 6 Northern Song, 3 Silvano's Dasher, 9 Wecangoallnight, 7 Sugar Mountain

Race 7: 6 Charles Dickens, 3 Winchester Mansion, 5 Kingdom Of Heaven, 2 Captain Of Stealth

Race 8: 1 Ma Black, 14 Country Time, 6 What A State, 13 Palo Queen

 

BEST BET

Race 3 No 6 Electric Feels

VALUE BET

Race 6 No 6 Northern Song

BEST SWINGER

Race 3 6x8

 

BIPOT

R243

Leg 1: 3, 6, 11

Leg 2: 2, 11, 13

Leg 3: 6

Leg 4: 8, 9, 10

Leg 5: 3, 5, 8

Leg 6: 3, 6, 9

 

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 3, 11, 13

Leg 2: 6

Leg 3: 8, 9, 10

Leg 4: 3, 5, 8

Leg 5: 3, 6

Leg 6: 6

Leg 7: 1, 6, 13, 14

 

PICK 6

R1500

Leg 1: 6, 8, 9

Leg 2: 5, 8, 9, 10, 11

Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 5, 8

Leg 4: 3, 6, 7, 9

Leg 5: 6

Leg 6: 1, 6, 10, 13, 14

 

JACKPOT 1

R100

Leg 1: 5, 8, 9, 10, 11

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 5, 8

Leg 3: 3, 6, 7, 9

Leg 4: 6

 

JACKPOT 2

R100

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 5, 8

Leg 2: 3, 6, 7, 9

Leg 3: 6

Leg 4: 1, 6, 10, 13, 14