Horsebetting.com experts provide Geoffrey Freer Stakes betting tips from Newbury. Raymond Tusk is fancied with the race terms in his favour in this year’s renewal of the 1m 5f Group 3 event on Saturday, 18 August, while the progressive Godolphin owned gelding Hamada is feared most. Dal Harralid looks worth an each-way wager on his staying form; so, for more on these horses’ chances, read our 2018 Geoffrey Freer Stakes betting tips preview.Raymond Tusk weighted to land Geoffrey FreerRaymond Tusk is well-in compared to his main market rivals in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes, so looks worth a wager to land this 1m 5f Group 3 contest for stayers at Newbury on Saturday (14:25). Trained by Richard Hannon, this three-year-old is an unexposed at the trip course winner who is open to tons of progress after just four career outings.
He has landed two of those starts so far, staying on well in the final furlong to land his debut at the Berkshire venue in a 1m maiden by 4 1/2 lengths back in April. Connections clearly hold Raymond Tusk in the highest regard as he was pitched in Group 1 company on his third appearance when a nine-length sixth to Roaring Lion in the Coral-Eclipse over 1m 2f at Sandown.
This son of High Chaparral advertised that form when coming out and winning a Listed affair at Hamilton last time out. Raymond Tusk was stepped up in trip again to 1m 3f and, after being shaken up to quicken and lead before the furlong marker, kept on strong again for a ready 2 1/2 lengths victory.
The manner of his display suggested the extra distance of this was sure to suit. While this is a step up in grade again for Raymond Tusk, it is far easier than his only previous group assignment and connections clearly mean business as champion jockey Silvestre De Sousa is booked to ride him here.
He is getting up to 9lb in weight-for-age from his elders putting him well-in on the likes of the top rated Algometer (112), Dal Harralid (111) and Hamada (107). With that advantage, it should be putting Raymond Tusk right in there and he’s thus taken to land the spoils in our 2018 Geoffrey Freer Stakes betting tips.Progressive Hamada a clear contenderThis is an open-looking renewal, but Hamada may be the one to give the selection most to think about as the Godolphin owned gelding has been progressive in handicaps this season. The Charlie Appleby trained four-year-old is clearly making up for lost time having spent 572 days on the sidelines after winning a 1m 2f Pontefract maiden as a juvenile.
Hamada made a winning return to action belying that lengthy absence on the all-weather at Wolverhampton back in April. He was ridden to lead 100 yards from home by James Doyle, who is back in the saddle today, and ran on well to land this class 3 handicap over 1m 4f by 1 3/4 lengths.
The son of Cape Cross when stepped up another level and plundered a valuable handicap at York’s Dante Festival when holding on gamely towards the finish and denying Crowned Eagle by a head. While he was expected to win, having been sent off favourite, Hamada’s toughness and staying credentials were evident.
Connections then sent him out at 1m 6f in a similar grade affair at the July Festival at Newmarket. Hamada duly put in a career best when readily asserting before the final furlong and staying on strongly to bolt up by seven lengths.
This was a very taking display indeed and the margin of victory is evidence that he is better than a handicapper. There is a slight drop back in trip to contend with here, but Hamada has the kind of progressive profile which like Raymond Tusk makes him dangerous here.
They are rated just 1lb apart by the assessor; so, as Hamada has to carry 9lb more on weight-for-age terms, that leaves Raymond Tusk 8lb well-in. We thus think Godolphin’s first string is worth taking on here.Dal Harralid an each-way alternativeWhile we’ve picked out two improving sorts with strong claims to be involved in the finish, no horse in the line-up is as guaranteed to stay as Dal Harralid. The five-year-old gelding is trained by William Haggas, whose yard continue to bang in the winners.
Dal Harralid holds an entry in the Ebor Handicap at York, but connections appear to have come here with him instead as he’d likely be high in the weights for that very valuable contest. This is one of the easiest assignments the son of Champs Elysees has faced for some time after being highly tried by connections.
Having beaten subsequent Ebor winner Nakeeta in a Listed race on his second start last season, Dal Harralid went to contest hot Group 2 stayers’ events before returning to action on the all-weather at Chelmsford in March and bolting up in a 2m conditions contest.
An ambitious trip to Meydan for the Dubai Gold Cup didn’t suit, but he was then an unlucky neck runner-up in a Group 3 at York before finishing fourth to Stradivarius in the Goodwood Cup. This is clearly less demanding than any of Dal Harralid’s last three races, so now he’s back down to his last winning mark of 111 he should be making the frame.
Now eased in grade again, he rates a solid each-way bet. Dal Harralid completes our 2018 Geoffrey Freer Stakes betting tips and will doubtless have his sights raised again before too long as he could line-up in the Irish St Leger next month.Your Next Bet
