Ginger Joe - A Cross Card Lucky 31 for Saturday 6 July 2024

Five selections, five different meetings

I am really looking forward to this Saturday's racing action. There are five meetings, with the big race of the day being the Coral Eclipse at Sandown, where City Of Troy is priced very short to take the honours, and it will take something spectacular to beat him.

Although there’s no denying the Eclipse is worth watching, I’ve decided to bring you a cross card Lucky 31 instead, where you'll find plenty of value. During the day I have three picks at Sandown, Haydock and Beverley. Then in the evening, my NAP runs at Carlisle, and my final Lucky 31 selection runs at Nottingham shortly after.

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14:25 Sandown - The Coral Challenge 1m - Perotto

We have 10 runners in the lineup here, and you can make a fair case for most in the race, with Point Lynas and Dual Identity making plenty of appeal for the minor honours. But the one I’m siding with is last year's winner, Perotto, who is trained by Roger Varian. He returned from an absence of 312 days to finish third in the 30-runner Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot, and that sets a very high standard here. He is a straightforward sort, who travels very strongly, and he usually comes on for his first run after a break, so he looks primed for a big run here. Ryan Moore has been booked for the ride, which is a major positive, and I think Perotto is the one to beat.

14:40 Haydock - The Lancashire Oaks (Group 2) 1m 4f - Queen Of The Pride

Tiffany heads the betting here for Sir Mark Prescott. She has won both starts this term, and it’s unlikely we have seen the best of her yet, but she needs to prove she stays this far, which could make her slightly vulnerable to a proven Stayer. So, the filly I’m going for is the John Gosden-trained Queen Of The Pride, who was seriously game to win over course and distance last month. She moved nicely through her race last time out and found plenty to see it out at the finish. I fully expect to see her improve again, and with stamina assured, she is going to be a tough nut to crack.

14:50 Beverley - The Memorial Handicap 5f - Persian Blue

The Memorial Handicap over the Sprint trip looks set to be a fantastic race. Paul Midgely runs a couple of runners here, and Better would have a squeak each way off this mark if he returns to his best form. Stash The Cash is another with chances on his best form. However, the one to be on here is Persian Blue for William Haggas. This is a lovely filly by Blue Point, she has improved run for run so far, and still looks nicely-handicapped off a mark of just 65. She is still a maiden, but has been shaping like a nice sort. She has plenty of pace, and the combination of fast ground, plus the drop back to five furlongs last time out, seemed to really suit her running style. She gets the same conditions this time and looks the standout pick in this field to me.

18:18 Carlisle - The Novice Stakes 5½f - Line Of Force (NAP)

We have a Novice Stakes race in the evening at Carlisle with plenty of newcomers set to make their debuts. They will need to be pretty good though to trouble Karl Burke’s smart colt Line Of Force, who was ultra-impressive on debut, where he beat Stapleford Park by almost five lengths. He travelled smoothly throughout and won effortlessly whilst being eased down. Line Of Force seems open to plenty of improvement and looks all set to be a really smart type in the future. Despite carrying a penalty he’s the only winner I see in this race, making him my NAP of the day.

18:25 Leicester - The Fillies’ Handicap 6f - Mirroring

My final Lucky 31 pick runs in the Fillies Handicap, which could easily become a real race of tactics. Connie’s Rose gives weight away here, but she is a very consistent sort and should still get competitive. However, I’ve decided to give the Michael Bell-trained Mirroring my vote. She showed plenty of promise last season and may well have needed the run on her first start this year. She was quite well-fancied at Sandown that day, and travelled well for the most part, before fading in the final furlong. She opened up at 16/1, and was backed all the way into 5/1, so it seems better was expected from her. With that run behind her, I believe she’s primed and ready to take a big step forward here.

My Lucky 31 Picks for Saturday

• 14:25 Sandown - Perotto
• 14:40 Haydock - Queen Of The Pride
• 14:50 Beverley - Persian Blue
• 18:18 Carlisle - Line Of Force (NAP)
• 18:25 Leicester - Mirroring

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