1.50pm Salisbury Tips & Betting Preview 07/09/2017

A field of thirteen go to post for the first race of the day in Britain and Ireland on Thursday. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: White Mocha won on debut in good style and should make a bold bid to maintain his unbeaten record, but preference is for NUITS ST GEORGES for David Menuisier. This Royal Lodge entry was unfancied on debut at Sandown, but he kept on well despite hanging and running green when asked for an effort. He will have learned a huge amount from that run and, if running a truer line here, he should be very tough to beat.

1 ENZO – Showed no immediate promise for the future when well beaten at Leicester in August, however when upped to this distance 20 days later he was a taking winner of a Brighton Novice race. He dwelt from the stalls before having his path blocked at a crucial stage, running green when he got the gap but he had enough in hand to win going away at the finish. He does have a six pound penalty here but he remains unexposed and the best may be yet to come. Has to be respected.

2 WHITE MOCHA – Sent off 6/4 favourite on debut for Hugo Palmer, getting the message late on to get up in the final strides under Josie Gordon. He took a while to get going that day but picked up well, with improvement almost certain from this son of Lope De Vega. He does have a penalty to shoulder, but he brings the best form into the race and should be going close here for in-form connections.

3 YAAFOUR – Deservedly got off the mark at the fourth attempt when making at Lingfield on his latest start three weeks ago, asserting well towards the finish. The bare form of that race isn’t anything to shout about, however he does have room for further improvement upped in distance and Ryan Moore now takes over the ride. Definite each way claims under a penalty, but he may just be vulnerable for win purposes.

4 ABANDON SHIP – Made his debut in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot where he was a well beaten last, although he improved on that when last seen at Newmarket. He put in a good front running shift to finish second, but he was left alone to set very slack fractions and he won’t get that luxury today. He is an each way contender if improving again, but others bring better form into the contest.

5 AL JELLABY – Holds a Royal Lodge entry for Clive Cox, but he does need to improve on what we’ve seen so far if he’s to be threatening in this race. He has finished second on both his starts over the seven furlong trip and looked slightly one paced when third at Newbury on his latest start. This is an easier race, however, and he should be happier up in trip, so he does need to be considered for each way terms.

6 AMENHOTEPTHETHIRD – Sent off 150/1 on debut for Mark Gillard, showing no immediate promise when slowly away from the stalls, running green and tailed off within a few furlongs. He is impossible to recommend on the back of that run and others are readily preferred.

7 DESERT PATH – Son of Champs Elysees who has a nice pedigree, with his dam placing at Listed level as a two-year-old. This trip seems ideal on debut and he couldn’t be discounted with any great confidence, though he will need to be a smart sort on debut as he has a fair standard to aim at. Each way claims under Pat Dobbs, but the yard’s current form does have to be of some concern.

8 NEBUCHADNEZZAR – 50/1 on debut for Alan King and he showed some ability when finishing fifth, keeping on steadily inside the final few furlongs. He will be happier now that he’s upped to the mile distance, but significant improvement is needed against a few of these and he’s likely a longer time handicap project at the middle distances. Each way claims if they go a strong clip, but nothing more here.

9 NUITS ST GEORGES – Another Royal Lodge entry who was sent off 33/1 on debut for David Menuisier but showed abundant promise, keeping on well despite hanging and running green late on to finish second. He should improve drastically for the experience and Kieran Shoemark retains the ride. If running a straighter line this time around he looks very tough to beat.

10 PIPPIN – Descendant of Oaks winner Sun Princess and this son of Intello holds a Derby entry which immediately raises eyebrows. He has a very good pedigree and, on that basis, he has to be considered, although Hughie Morrison isn’t known for his two-year-olds winning on debut. Market support would be very interesting with Oisin Murphy on board and he could have a part to play.

11 THE KNIGHT KING – Has only beaten one horse home on both of his starts for Mick Channon, improving to a modest level when sixth at Chepstow when last seen. He was still well beaten that day and far more is needed in a competitive looking heat, so he’s best watched as he’ll get his handicap mark after today’s run.

12 RED MIRACLE – Daughter of Dylan Thomas who has some class in her pedigree, with her dam being an unraced sister to 1m 4f Group 3 winner Clowance. She has a huge amount of pedigree in her stamina so she’s likely to be a better horse next year when attacking the middle distances. She’s therefore best watched on debut unless the market suggests otherwise.

13 SWISS PSALM – 25/1 on debut for the Simon Hodgson yard, tailed off from an early stage and she’s since joined the Mark Gillard yard. She now has a 149 day absence to overcome and makes it in a very tough novice event, so she’s readily dismissed on this occasion.