The 2018 Old Rowley Cup tips given by Horsebetting.com experts say Sir Michael Stoute’s Baritone is worth a punt to cash-in on what looks a handy mark to land the spoils. Rock Eagle is a progressive and lightly-raced sort and rates the main danger in the 1m 4f Heritage Handicap at Newmarket on Friday, 12 October. Berkshire Royal, meanwhile, is an ultra-consistent sort who looks sure to give it his best shot and makes plenty of each-way appeal. More details on these horses’ chances can be found by reading our in-depth 2018 Old Rowley Cup betting tips preview.Baritone weighted to collect in Old Rowley CupBaritone looks potentially ahead of his mark and worth a punt to land a second career success in the 1m 4f Old Rowley Cup at Newmarket on Friday (16:10). This Sir Michael Stoute trained three-year-old opened his account in runaway style last time out when scoring by eight lengths, having previously posted some solid efforts in defeat.
They included on seasonal reappearance when a 1 3/4 lengths runner-up to stable companion Mekong at Leicester. The winner has gone on to develop into a smart sort who has won twice since, and finished an excellent half-a-length runner-up in a hot Listed contest at Ascot off a rating of 102 when last seen in action.
Baritone also ran well on handicap debut when a two-length third to the now 105-rated Elwazir at Ascot and backed that up with a decent third of 11 to Desert Path at Goodwood, prior to his aforementioned romp in a three-runner Pontefract maiden when relishing the step up to the 1m 4f trip of this for the first time.
The gelding now reverts to handicap company off a rating of 86 and looks very exploitable, especially on his run behind Mekong. He was sent off favourite that day, suggesting that Baritone was considered better than his stable companion. It also makes him a fascinating contender at the weights and he looks the type who should have plenty more to offer.
So, with Stoute remaining in fine form, and David Egan in the saddle, Baritone looks to have the perfect profile for this. We therefore had no hesitation in making him the main selection in our 2018 Old Rowley Cup betting tips.Lightly-raced Rock Eagle feared mostThe lightly-raced Rock Eagle has a progressive profile, so is feared most in what is a typically wide-open renewal of this Heritage Handicap. The Ralph Beckett trained gelding has won two of his four starts and comes into the contest on the back of a fine effort at Goodwood.
That came in a competitive 12-runner handicap over 1m 2f where he was fourth to Communique. After racing at the rear and become unsettled by the track’s undulations, Rock Eagle stayed on really well to be nearest at the finish and beaten just over two lengths.
The winner, from whom he was receiving 6lb, has won twice since including in Listed company, and was beaten only half-a-length last time out in a Group 3 at Ascot off an official rating of 109. That gives the form a rock solid look, and suggests the assessor may have taken a chance in raising Rock Eagle just 1lb for what was a career-best performance.
A revised rating of 92 may underestimate his ability and, judged by the manner in which he finished off the contest, he’s crying out for the extra two furlongs he now gets in this. So, with Beckett operating at a strike rate of just under 25 per cent at the time of writing, and further improvement guaranteed, every points to a huge run from Rock Eagle.Consistent Berkshire Royal an each-way optionOf those at bigger odds, the tough and consistent Berkshire Royal looks decent each-way value given that he doesn’t know how to run a bad race. The three-year-old son of Sir Percy has thrived this season, winning three of his eight starts and also making the frame on four other occasions.
In the last of those successes, Berkshire Royal stayed on strongly to get up close home and score by a neck at Chester. He was put up 4lb for that victory, yet then ran a blinder off his revised rating of 82 when a two-length runner-up to subsequent Group 3 winner and Melbourne Cup hope Cross Counter at Ascot in a race which has thrown-up plenty of subsequent winners.
Berkshire Royal has since run well to finish runner-up at Chester and lost little in defeat last time out when a three-length third of 10 to First Eleven in the Lavazza Stakes, another Heritage Handicap at Ascot. Ghostwatch, who came second, has come out and won since to give the form a solid look, so a further pound rise in the weights and mark of 96 looks fair for Berkshire Royal.
Franny Norton, who is one from one on him having partnered him to his last victory, is also now back in the saddle, so everything looks in place for the likeable Berkshire Royal to once again give it his best shot. He thus features as an each-way bet to consider among these 2018 Old Rowley Cup betting tips.Your Next Bet
