Desert Image’s return to Newmarket is a flat chance

National Hunt racing might be taking over prominence for most people with the end of the Flat season fast approaching, but the best bet of the day is Desert Image in the EBF Piper-Heidsieck Montrose Fillies’ Stakes at Newmarket.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Nov 2012, 12:06 BST

Second to a smart sort of Mark Johnston’s on debut, she was a beaten favourite next time out and initially it looked disappointing. However, the winner, Lady Nouf, is in the Irish Oaks and the runner-up, Secret Gesture, 
won easily at Newbury last weekend.

Desert Image absolutely hacked up at Newmarket last month, never looking in any danger and any stage. The retiring Michael Hills rode her that day and was in no doubt she would be able to hold her own in stakes class.

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John Gosden’s Trade Commissioner can get back to winning ways in the Betfred Ben Marshall Stakes.

The wheels have fallen off a bit since he landed a valuable handicap at Sandown in July, but this looks winnable. He ran a solid race in the Darley Stakes over nine furlongs and the drop back in trip and down in grade should help him.

Hajras showed a smart turn of foot to win a big race at Newbury in September and he can progress to take the Piper-Heidsieck James Seymour Stakes.

Time For Rupert can go one better than last year in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby while Donald McCain’s Ile De Re looks very well handicapped in the William Hill Priority Prices Handicap Hurdle at Ascot.