Jamie Clark was Sports Editor of Coral bookmakers between 2014 and 2017 during their merger with Labrokes and a key period for the British betting industry. Working as a bookie’s runner on the point to point circuit in the Midlands and at Market Rasen Racecourse where his late godfather had a trackside pitch growing up, he has had ties to horse racing all of his life. A regular visitor to Cheltenham during the National Hunt season and York over the summer, he has been involved in Horsebetting.com since its inception. Jamie now brings you his take on major news stories from the racing world and those all-important betting tips.
Fillies and mares tackle the round mile at Ascot this Friday, and our 2021 Valiant Stakes betting tips have the lowdown on the feature Group 3 contest (15:00). There are some recent winners and sorts that have been off the track for a while colliding here. Read all about which fabulous females to back below…
Valiant Stakes betting tips – Indigo Girl has leading juvenile form claims
Newmarket handler John Gosden and son Thady had some big targets earmarked for INDIGO GIRL earlier in the season. While she didn’t turn up in those potential assignments, she makes her belated reappearance here off a 287-day lay-off. That isn’t ideal, but the three-year-old daughter of Dubawi tops official ratings based on her juvenile form.
One of two in the race owned by George Strawbridge, Indigo Girl ran out an easy three-length winner on her debut at Yarmouth. She then made an effortless step up into Group 2 company when following-up in the May Hill Stakes at Doncaster. A ready three-quarters of a length victory over subsequent Listed scorer Dubai Fountain marked Indigo Girl out as a top prospect.
She also confirmed the form when chasing home Pretty Gorgeous in the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket. Irish raiders Mother Earth and Snowfall, who have since won multiple Classics between them, were in-behind that day. It gives the form a very strong look indeed. Gosden highlights the Musidora Stakes at York and Prix de Diane over in France as races for Indigo Girl this season.
The fact that she missed them suggests there has been some kind of setback. However, there is no denying that her juvenile form holds up well in the context of this Group 3. As the only negative is a lack of race fitness but Gosden can get them fit at home, Indigo Girl may well justify odds of 6/4 with William Hill for a successful if delayed return to action here.
Open Account Offer
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.
Many of the older fillies contesting this ran in handicap company at Royal Ascot earlier this summer. That makes the Kensington Palace Stakes over course and distance last month a key piece of form. All four of the four-year-olds to be considered by Valiant Stakes betting tips were involved in that ultra-competitive contest.
Now meeting off level weights, and given she has bolted up in a Listed affair since, LIGHTS ON may shape much better than her last outing at this venue. Trained by Sir Michael Stoute for Cheveley Park Stud, this daughter of Siyouni is officially the best older filly in the race off a 110 rating. The handicapper took her 10-length demolition job at Pontefract seriously.
That assessment handicaps Lights On out of races like the one she appeared in at the royal meeting. Other than finishing a below par eighth in the Kensington Palace on her penultimate start, she has won all three other starts this term, though. Lights On may be a typical Stoute inmate that improves with age and experience. A welter burden of 9st 10lb here was a big ask, but she was only 5/1 that day.
Now meeting the likes of re-opposing trio Waliyak, Declared Interest and Dreamloper off level terms, she may well prove best of the older fillies. The problem with Lights On is the 8lb weight for age conceded to three-year-olds. She still looks the one most likely to take advantage if Indigo Girl needs the run, and odds of 7/2 with William Hill reflect that.
Elysium the most interesting each-way option
It’s a pity that only seven fillies have been declared as that does spoil the each-way angle, but I’m fascinated to see how Irish raider ELYSIUM gets on. Trained by Noel Meade and also sporting the Strawbridge silks, this three-year-old daughter of Belardo progressed as a juvenile. Both of her career wins have come when she was a relative 12/1 outsider.
After landing a Navan maiden on her second career start, Elysium shaped well in minor events of 7f at Leopardstown and Roscommon. Her best effort to date was on her final start before Strawbridge bought her. That came in this grade in the Weld Park Stakes around The Curragh. Elysium ran on strongly to lead inside the final furlong.
Subsequent Group 3 scorer and Irish 1000 Guineas third No Speak Alexander was back in fourth that do, so the form isn’t too shabby. As with owner-companion Indigo Girl, Elysium has the disadvantage of a lengthy lay-off from the track to overcome. In fact, she has had just less than 300 days since we last saw her racing.
A mark of 106 puts her 4lb and upwards clear of every filly on adjusted ratings bar Indigo Girl too. If running up to it, then Elysium should hit the frame. Meade doesn’t have the biggest Flat string in his stables, so it looks significant that she runs here. Taking all that into account, the 9/1 with William Hill about Elysium looks worth considering each-way. She can only improve for this run, though.
Open Account Offer
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.
New reg only. Claim by placing a min deposit £10 via ‘My Offers’ page within 30 days. 7 days to stake max £10 in-play, min odds 1/1 (2.0). Max. extra winnings £100. Once claimed, 30-day expiry. Cashed out, System & EW bets do not qualify. Other Promotional Play Restrictions Apply. T&Cs apply.
18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 on any football market at minimum 1/1 odds. No cash out. Get £40 in Free Bets on selected events. Free Bets expire in 7 days. Debit card/Apple Pay payments only. T&Cs apply, gambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly
Open Account Offer
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.
