English/Ire
King’s best bets - 6th March 2026
Sam King landed a 10/3 winner at Newcastle on Thursday evening and is back with three selections for Friday…
Although I appreciate their place in the calendar, I'm not overly fond of veterans' events, especially from a punting perspective.
That said, even I can resit having a small wager on one in the Unibet Middle Distance Series Veterans' Handicap Chase (3.40) at Exeter.
Gunsight Ridge is no stranger to undergoing a wind-operation having already had three of the procedures in his life, but they clearly do the job for him, as his record racing after them is excellent. He produced a career best at the time when runner-up at Market Rasen back in 2020, landed a Class 3 handicap chase at Aintree following one a couple of years later, before looking set to chase home the high-class Matata when falling at the last at Cheltenham following his latest wind-op two years ago.
Olly Murphy's charge can race lazily at time, but when things are going right, he often finishes off his races full of gusto. There was no sign of that finishing kick at Sandown last time out but it's clear that his wind has been affecting him once more and it's interesting that connections are opting for a fourth operation, despite him reaching the grand old age of eleven.
As a result of recent performances, he's now 3lb lower than when last successful and with the step up in trip also to suit, Olly Murphy's eleven-year-old looks too well-treated now switching to veterans' company.
Gunsight Ridge – 1pt Win
Odds – 4/1
Up at Newcastle, there are two bets to be had with the first coming in the opening Midnite Ain't Your Grandad's Bookie Handicap (4.26).
Callum Shepherd has been riding well since his return from injury and it's interesting that he heads up to Newcastle for just the one spin this evening.
It's a lengthy trip from his Newmarket base but it could be worth the journey as he teams up with old ally David Simcock.
His mount Traila has been weak in the early markets but there's no doubt that this well-handicapped contender shaped better on his most recent start, where he kept on steadily up the straight to finish a respectable fifth behind the improving Wonder.
A winner under Callum Shepherd off a mark of 87 back in August 2023, Traila now heads to Newcastle 14lb lower and it's interesting that connections now opt to go to the Gosforth Park venue for the first time.
A galloping mile and a half should be right up his street, and off a lowly mark, he looks worth chancing against James Owen's current favourite Market House.
Traila – 1pt Win
Odds – 4/1
The last wager comes in the concluding Midnite: Built For 2026 Not 2006 Apprentice Handicap (8.30).
The often so consistent Teardrops bombed out here 20 days ago and should bounce back, but a current mark of 60 looks on the lofty side and with that in mind, Sedgemoor seems a much better option.
He picked up well to land a course and distance handicap for Johnny Butler when fitted with first-time blinkers last month and proved his current well-being by finishing fourth at Lingfield on his stable debut just nine days ago.
The five-year-old son of Churchill was well-backed to complete the double at Lingfield recently and, in all truth, he probably should have made his first outing for John Ryan a winning one.
Sat wide throughout and off the pace on a track where it proved beneficial to be up with the speed that day, Sedgemoor finished off his race nicely under Tom Marquand, but those more prominently positioned had already kicked for home, and he did well to finish a never-nearer fourth from where he was rounding the final bend.
This slightly bigger field scenario ought to aid his chances, while again, it's interesting that small Newmarket-based handler John Ryan is happy to make the long journey north this evening for a Class 6 worth less than £5000 to the winner.
He's booked experienced apprentice Connor Planas to the do the steering and I wouldn't be at all shocked if this previous course and distance winner returned to winning ways.
Sedgemoor – 1pt Win
Odds – 10/3
Check out the latest Singapore News