Racing Lee’s Saturday Racing Tips at Curragh and Kempton

I will chance the ground is no worries for Crypto Force. He reappears off a long absence, but he could be a notch above these. It’s a tough test, a Group Three, after 590 days off the track, but he has form that stands out even in his short career so far. He won easily on debut over seven furlongs here at the course. He beat last year’s Derby winner and multiple Group winner, Auguste Rodin by two-and-a-quarter lengths. Way back was now Italian Listed winner, Arabian Legend.

He was chucked into the Chesham at Royal Ascot on just his second start, he was near last, only to kick into gear and stay on strongly, ultimately beat fair and square. He ended the 2022 season beating Adelaide River who had been runner-up in the Irish Derby to the English Derby winner, he had also ran a close second in the Group One Grand Prix De Paris and ended with a Group Three win at Leopardstown.

The selection beat him easily in that race, the Group Two Beresford Stakes, which was over the mile on this course. If the layoff hasn’t had a detrimental effect, the step up in trip should suit this exciting colt.

A tight little contest, as the betting suggests. But I like the top weighted, Cemhaan. A dual course winner, who bolted up here in May, winning eased down by five-lengths. He then ran in a big staying handicap at Royal Ascot. The winner was Vauban, who was sent off favourite for the Melbourne Cup after winning a Group Three next time out. The second was Absurde, who has franked the form in no uncertain terms. Winning the Ebor at York, and latterly running fourth in a Grade One behind the Supreme and Baring Bingham winners, before winning the County Hurdle.

He carried a big weight in the Ebor himself, only to run below par, but, reappeared at this course in January. The second won again since, beating a Good Friday winner in the process.

He’s been dropped a pound for that fourth placed reappearance, and although top weighted, I reckon he could outclass these on a course he clearly likes.

Plenty returning from a break, including the selection, but that maybe a reason she is overlooked. She has contested some strong races, kicking off with winning a fair handicap, before running in a listed race behind the Guineas fourth and Oaks third of last season. She ran close in a warm open handicap at York in May, then ran a solid race to be beaten three-lengths in a listed race at Chantilly, this was after being cut off and short of room.

Her last run was in a Group Three at Ascot in July, again short of room, but was up against some hardy fillies. She has a good draw in three and can hopefully kick on again this campaign. Each-way play of the day.