Rhys Williams' Racing Tips: 3 Selections For Saturday
Horse racing expert Rhys Williams is sharing his best selections for Saturday's action.
Rhys has been a racing analyst for over 10 years, working for At The Races and, most recently, as a tipster for Betfair, where his tipping column achieved a 31% ROI over 4.5 years.
He often focuses on the back end of the market, finding angles that aren't evident to most.
Rhys' tips have returned 402.72 points from 268.5 points staked, meaning his profit and loss record stands at a whopping +134.22pts overall - thanks to a recent 66/1 winner (Unquite Dreams).
Here are Rhys' tips for today, using the most up-to-date odds from the best horse racing betting sites.
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14:02 Galway: Eastwatch - 1pt Win @ 8/1
Eastwatch is making his hurdling debut in the opening race at Galway and I think the market is underestimating his chance of making a winning start in this sphere.
He showed plenty of ability on the flat last season and continued his progress when finishing second in the Irish Lincoln on his first start of this season.
He hasn’t been able to build on that in two starts since but he ran respectably in group company last time at the Curragh.
Eastwatch physically looks the type to be a hurdler and I think he has a good chance of having the necessary stamina to see out the trip in this sphere.
There is the obvious unknown over how well he will jump and he’s taking on some good quality opposition, but it’s notable that they are bringing him here for his hurdling debut rather than taking up an easier opportunity at a smaller meeting and any 6/1 or bigger appeals.
17:20 Goodwood: Shafdar - 0.5pts Each-Way @ 12/1
Shafdar ran better than the margin beaten suggests at Sandown last time and I think he has the potential to take a step forward now up to this trip.
He was angled out to make his challenge with two furlongs to go, but got unbalanced and he never seemed completely at ease after that, going on to finish sixth.
That was a strong race with the runner up since winning the John Smith’s Cup, High Degree since chasing home Al Aali who won again earlier this week and Hard Endeavour finished second in a valuable race over the same course and distance next time.
Shafdar showed at Epsom that he can handle a track with a camber when winning there three starts ago, travelling smoothly into contention before getting the better of a battle with Sweet Reward who has won twice since.
A tongue tie goes on for the first time, which could help him in the closing stages, and there is likely to be a fairly good pace that can give him a chance to settle early and make a strong late challenge.
Any double-figure prices appeal.
Rhys' Selection 2: 17:20 Goodwood: Shafdar - 0.5pts Each-Way
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17:20 Goodwood: Rock Of Cashel - 0.5pt Win @ 66/1
In the same race, I can’t let Rock Of Cashel go unbacked at such a big price after being on the wrong side at Ascot.
I thought he was also running over a trip short of what was suitable for him in the Buckingham Palace. The six on the far side didn’t have a chance with those on the near side but he managed to finish third in his group.
The fourth in that group finished sixth in a strong handicap at Ascot last Saturday while the fifth in the group won next time and the last in the group ran respectably in a handicap next time.
The 3lb drop looks generous considering those subsequent performances from others in that group and the return to a longer trip looks a positive for Rock Of Cashel.
There is a concern that he may not be the heartiest under pressure and he will need to weave a passage through the field from stall one, but he’s got the right jockey to carry out those tactics and I wouldn’t be as surprised as the market if he was able to run well.
Any 33/1 or bigger appeals.
Rhys' Selection 3: 17:20 Goodwood: Rock Of Cashel - 0.5pt Win
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