Horse Racing Tips: Phill Anderson's Phoenix Stakes tips

bet365 News Team Updated: 09 Jun 23 12:55 Published: 31 Aug 22 12:47

There is Group 1 action at the Curragh on Saturday and Phill Anderson from the Racing Post has three selections on the card.

4.15 Curragh
Bradsell @ 13/8
2pt win

3.15 Curragh
Go Bears Go @ 1/1
2pt win

4.55 Curragh
She's In The Game @ 1/1
0.5pt each-way

Bradsell can maintain unbeaten status

The Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes takes centre stage on Saturday and it looks like an above average renewal.

The one to beat is Bradsell who was good value for the winning margin when victorious in the Coventry at Ascot second time out, following up on his mightily impressive debut success in a novice at York.

He did well to win from his low draw (2) the last day, particularly given that he was short of room in the early part of the race, but he powered clear in the closing stages and looked dominant in the finish.

That form could hardly be working out better, producing three Group 2 winners subsequently, including two that re-oppose him here (Persian Force and Blackbeard). It's hard to see those rivals reversing the form with the selection drawn in stall six (6), an ideal berth over this course and distance.

Conditions won't matter to Archie Watson's charge, having won with cut in the ground on debut and quick ground at Ascot, and he is taken to give Hollie Doyle yet another Group 1 success, after adding to her tally at Goodwood last week.

The main danger to the selection is Little Big Bear who didn't need to improve to win a Group 3 last time but he's yet to face anything the calibre of Bradsell and he will need to raise his game to a new level to gain a fourth career win.

Three-year-old sprinter can Go again

The other Group race on the card is the Phoenix Sprint Stakes (race 4) and there is plenty in Go Bears Go's favour in his bid for another Group 3 success.

He ran a career best when chasing home Minzaal in Group company at Newbury last time, relishing the good to firm ground, and he always seems to save his best efforts for when conditions are quick.

First time cheekpieces should eke out a bit more and he looks certain to get a nice tow into the race from front-runner Gustavus Weston, who is also drawn high.

A high draw seems to have been a big advantage over this course and distance in recent times and it's hard to find any negatives for him bar the Group 3 penalty he has to carry for his success at this level earlier in the campaign.

Five-year-old can get back In The Game

It was an encouraging reappearance from She's In The Game and if she can continue on her upward curve, she could be worth siding with in the penultimate race on the card.

She was progressive last year, winning at this venue and placed on a further two of her course outings and the five-year-old is just 3lb above her last winning mark now.

Apprentice jockey Neven Bennett seems to get on with the horse, yet to finish outside the first three in any of her five rides on her and if her mount comes on from her reappearance, she ought to be capable of making the frame at least.

By Phill Anderson