The big betting race of the day is the Portland Handicap at Doncaster (2.40) and Ajjaadd looks to hold outstanding claims at 14/1.
Ted Powell’s gelding is a useful sort when he has his conditions, as he showed last season when winning a 5f contrest on soft ground off a mark of 92 before finishing a cracking third of 16 to Prodigality in the mud at Goodwood off 92 where he was beaten just a length after getting squeezed for room as the gates opened.
He then went on to finish an excellent fifth of 21 to Jack Dexter in a class 2 contest off a mark of 93 on soft ground at this venue, and looked as good as ever when making a winning seasonal reapperance at Epsom back in April off a mark of 95.
The seven-year-old was then not at his best in his next two starts but bounced back to form last time out whne an excellent second of 27 to Rex Imperator in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood off 98.
He stayed on well that day to be beaten 2 1/4 lengths on ground officially desctibed as good and now gets into this off the same mark.
That gives him every chance of going one bettre an bagging this valuable prize – especially as he now has the soft ground that he relishes for the first time this season.
It’s also interesting that he has a fine record at this time of the year having won in September for the last three seasons, and his run last time out suggested that he was ready to repeat the dose.
Another plus is that he has the services of the talented Kevin Stott in the saddle who takes another 7lb off his back, and he has also bagged a decent draw in stall 13.
Everything looks in place for a huge run, and at the odds on offer he looks cracking each-way value..
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts each-way Ajjaadd (14/1 bet365, Boylesports, Paddy Power – BOG, 1/4 odds 1,2,3,4,5)