Horse Racing

Horse Racing Tips: Robbie Wilders' Desmond Stakes betting tips

bet365 News Team Updated: 09 Jun 23 12:55 Published: 31 Aug 22 12:32

A Group 3 contest and a Listed race add a bit of spice to Thursday's evening card at Leopardstown and Racing Post tipster Robbie Wilders shares his best selections.

6.20 Leopardstown
Only @ 1/2
2pts win

7.20 Leopardstown
Juncture @ 11/4
1pt win

7.50 Leopardstown
Temple Of Artemis @ 6/1
1pt win

Only one winner in maiden

Only is a short price in the mile maiden (6.20) but rightfully so and should be much too good with an official rating of 85.

The daughter of Deep Impact is out of Winter, who won four Group 1s for the Aidan O'Brien stable in 2017, and has shown form more than good enough to win a maiden.

She was just held by a more experienced stablemate at Leopardstown on her debut, before returning a beaten odds-on favourite when second at Naas in June.

The winner that day, Didn'thavemuchtodo, landed a conditions race by five lengths on her next run and that form is smart.

Only will likely never find a better opportunity to win a race and she interestingly retains an entry in the Group 1 Matron Stakes next month.

The right moment for Juncture

The Group 3 Desmond Stakes (7.20) is more competitive, but I'll be looking away from early favourite Boundless Ocean.

I'm not convinced this sort of test over a mile on fast ground will suit Boundless Ocean, who stays 1m2f and was tried over 1m4f in two of his last three starts.

There are plenty of speedy opponents in opposition and with similar ground concerns over Raadobarg and Marbling surely not quite up to this level, Juncture is the wager.

Juncture ran in the 1,000 Guineas earlier in the season and was found out there, but the race is working out with a handful of future Group 1 winners also beaten by Cachet, while Juncture bounced back to form with a decent effort off top weight in a good premier handicap last time.

She was narrowly beaten by Nectaris (receiving 10lb) there and that filly has shaped well in higher-quality races since.

Juncture benefits from a three-year-old and fillies' allowance and is yet to strike at Group level so avoids any penalties.

There should be more to come after just six runs and this looks a nice opportunity for her to get back to winning ways.

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Artemis can strike in Vinnie Roe

Bluegrass looks another favourite to oppose in the Listed Vinnie Roe Stakes (7.50).

This 1m6f distance isn't guaranteed to suit as there is a lack of stamina on the dam's side of his pedigree. He also might have been flattered by his proximity to Desert Crown in the Dante when last seen.

Preference instead is for Temple Of Artemis, who has recently joined Joseph O'Brien.

A handicap winner over 1m4½f at Chester in May, Temple Of Artemis will need to improve, but should have no fears over an extra furlong and a half as a brother to Ballydoyle's former Gold Cup second Kingfisher.

He has only raced four times, so should have more to offer and it is interesting he is entered in the Melbourne Cup later in the campaign.

O'Brien has an outstanding record in the Flemington highlight and Temple Of Artemis would have little chance of making the field off his current rating of 96.

He would need to incur a significant rise in the ratings to ensure he even has a chance of getting in and victory here would do just that. He looks overpriced.

By Robbie Wilders