Horsebetting.com experts fancy Quloob to build on a promising seasonal reappearance and land the JLT Cup Handicap at Newbury on Saturday, 21 July. Stratum represents top Irish trainer Willie Mullins and is feared most in the 2m contest following an excellent run at Royal Ascot. Amazing Red, meanwhile, appeals as the each-way value in a wide-open contest. To find out why read our 2018 JLT Cup betting tips preview.Quloob a bet to capture JLT Cup for in-form BurrowsQuloob shaped with plenty of promise on seasonal reappearance and looks decent value to land the extended 2m JLT Cup on Super Sprint day at Newbury on Saturday (14:25).
The Owen Burrows trained colt came into his own last season when sent handicapping. After winning off an opening mark of 71 in a class 5 contest at Bath he went on to complete the hat-trick when landing a class 3 at Newmarket off 87.
Quloob then got hit with a further 7lb rise for that effort, but ran a stormer off his revised rating of 94 when finding only Dubawi Fifty a neck too good in a 12-runner contest at Nottingham. The winner is a progressive sort who has won twice since and finished a fine second at Royal Ascot when last seen in action.
That gives the form a solid look and there was lots to like about Quloob’s return to action over 1m 6f at Newmarket last month when fifth of 13 to Amazing Red. After tracking the leaders travelling sweetly, the four-year-old kept on at the one pace from the two marker without being knocked about to be beaten 6 3/4 lengths.
Quloob clearly needed the outing, so that should have blown away the cobwebs and put him spot on. It was also an effort which suggested the extra two furlongs in this would suit and a rating of 98 should not be beyond him – given his progressive profile.
The lightly-raced son of New Approach looks the type who should have even more to offer, relishes quick ground, and also hails from a yard in fine form. So, taking everything into account, Quloob looks to have plenty going for him and thus rates our main bet among JLT Cup betting tips in a wide-open and competitive handicap.Stratum feared most in wide-open affairTop Irish jumps trainer Willie Mullins does extremely well with his runners in big staying handicaps in the UK, and that means his Stratum commands the utmost respect following a fine run last time out at Royal Ascot.
This five-year-old finished a 2 3/4 lengths third of 19 to stable companion Lagostovegas in the 2m 4f Ascot Stakes, doing all his best work at the finish having been held-up in midfield. That represents strong form in the context of this contest and the step back to 2m should hold no fears for Stratum, as he won over 1m 2f and was placed over 1m 4f earlier in his career when in the care of William Haggas.
The gelding has a blend of speed and staying power – those are the perfect attributes for a race like this. He also ran well over hurdles when runner-up in a Grade 3 at Navan back in November and Mullins has clearly found the key to him.
A 2lb rise for his Royal Ascot run also looks fair and, despite the fact that Stratum now has a career-high Flat mark of 94 to contend with, he may well have more to offer given his powerful connections. It’s no surprise to see him head the betting for this and he has to rate the main danger to Quloob.Amazing Red appeals each-way Amazing Red disappointed last time out when a well-beaten 10th of 20 to Withhold on the Tapeta in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle, but could prove a different proposition now returned to the turf and reunited with Frankie Dettori.
It was a third start on an artificial surface for the Ed Dunlop trained five-year-old and he had also previously failed to shine on his previous visit to the venue. He did run well when third on the polytrack at Lingfield, but that was only a run-of-the mill class 3 affair.
All Amazing Red’s best for has come on the grass and, prior to the Northumberland Plate, he had looked progressive in winning two of his three starts. In the the last of those over 1m 6f at Newmarket, Amazing Red stayed on strongly to win going away by 3 1/2 lengths off a mark of 93 in the hands of Dettori and had Quloob a further 3 1/4 lengths behind in fifth.
This was a most taking display and Amazing Red will not be hindered by the step back up to 2m in this, as he won first time up over it at Kempton four starts back. He remains a stayer with potential and it’s easy to put a line through his latest effort, so at the odds on offer Amazing Red makes plenty of each-way appeal.Your Next Bet
