3 minute read

Sam King tipped Jumby to land yesterday's feature at Haydock and returns with three selections on this sunny Sunday…

Small fields have been a bit of an issue in recent times but there's no such problem in the Sky Bet Sunday Series. The Sky Bet Sunday Series 3YO Sprint handicap has attracted a competitive field of twelve.

The suggested bet is the Adrian Nicholls-trained King's Crown, who looked as though he was coming back to something like his best when fourth over 6f at Doncaster last-time-out.

There aren't many trainers about in better form than Adrian Nicholls at present and the Thirsk-based trainer currently operates at a staggering 56% (5-9) strike-rate over the last 14 days.

His sole success came in a big-field Thirsk maiden last year and he was quite highly-tried off a mark of 88 last season. The drop back to 5f looks like a really interesting move given how freely he can race, and the first-time blinkers could eke out some improvement.

A current mark of 82 looks workable for this three-year-old gelding by Starspangledbanner and he's well worth a bet at the prices with quick ground also to suit.

Selection: King's Crown - General 6/1

We head to Goodwood for our second wager and Shobiz looks like he'll take all the beating in the William Hill Handicap at 4.55.

The Charlie Hills-trained runner looked good in winning a fairly competitive handicap at Newbury last start and he remains relatively lightly-raced.

Course and distance form can prove vital at Goodwood and the son of Showcasing proved he could handle the Sussex undulations when landing a Class 3 handicap here off 4lb lower last April. He drops back to Class 4 company this afternoon and with champion-seeking rider William Buick booked to ride I expect him to take plenty of stopping.

Selection: Shobiz - General 11/10

Our third and final selection comes from across the Irish Sea and although Canute isn't exactly going to be at the top of Aidan O'Brien's pecking order, he looks to have a cracking chance in the Royal County Handicap (4.40) at Navan.

Aidan O'Brien continues to fire in big-race winners of late and is currently operating at an extremely healthy 30% (9-30) strike-rate for the last fortnight.

This son of Quality Road could hardly have been more eye-catching when fourth on his handicap debut at the Curragh last start having been repeatedly short of room at a crucial stage. It's no surprise to see connections step him back up in trip and there looks to be bundles of improvement to come.

I fully expect this unexposed colt to end up rating much higher than his current mark at the end of the season and he can get his head in front for the first time here racing off the same mark as when a luckless fourth last start.

Selection: Canute – General 11/8