Horsebetting.com experts give their 2018 Qatar Summer Handicap betting tips and say Soldier In Action odds make him the bet to land back-to-back runnings of the 1m 6f contest at Glorious Goodwood on Saturday, 4 August. Walton Street is a worthy favourite following a fine run at Royal Ascot and is feared most. The hat-trick seeking Melting Dew looks a solid each-way contender. For full details why, read our detailed 2018 Qatar Summer Handicap betting tips preview.Soldier In action weighted to retain crown in Qatar Summer HandicapSoldier In Action has become dangerously well-treated and looks decent value to land back-to-back runnings of the 1m 6f Qatar Summer Handicap on the final day of Glorious Goodwood on Saturday, 4 August (14:25). This five-year-old hails from the yard of Mark Johnston, who at the time of writing is the leading trainer at a meeting he traditionally does well at, and is two from three at the track.
The last of those successes came in this 12 months ago where he ran on tenaciously to get up close home in the hands of jockey Silvestre De Sousa and beat Blakeney Point by a head off a mark of 108. Soldier In Action went on to score on the all-weather at Kempton off 106 and is now able to race off a reduced rating of just 97.
That is his lowest since October 2016 and gives the gelding outstanding claims at the weights at a venue which clearly suits – despite the fact that he hasn’t really shone in eight runs this season. Like many from the yard, it would be no surprise to see him bounce back from out of the blue.
The way in which he has been campaigned suggests connections have been keen to get his weight down for this, and that goal has clearly been achieved. It also looks significant that De Sousa in now back in the saddle for the first time since last year’s victory in this.
That in-form rider is one from one on him and has a tremendous strike rate of just over 26 per cent when teaming up with the yard in the last 12 months. So, taking everything into account, Soldier In Action looks primed to try and retain his crown and therefore has to be the main selection in our 2018 Qatar Summer Handicap betting tips.Lightly-raced Walton Street feared mostThere are a host of potential dangers but Walton Street, who heads the betting, is feared most following a fine comeback run when third in the 1m 4f Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot. The son of Cape Cross stayed on nicely to be beaten 3 3/4 lengths by the thriving Dash Of Spice and it was a effort, following 120 days on the sidelines, that suggested there was better to come.
This Charlie Appleby trained four-year-old certainly remains open to improvement after just seven career starts and has a good strike rate, having won three times. He has also made the frame on two occasions and has winning form at the track – a big plus for this unique undulating venue can be the downfall of many.
Walton Street is also able to race in this off an unchanged mark of 104, which is surprising given that he could easily have been raised a few pounds for his run in the Duke Of Edinburgh. The way in which he stuck to the task that day, after racing keenly, suggested he was well worth another crack at this trip.
With the stable in fine form, and William Buick in the saddle, Walton Street looks to have plenty going for him. At the odds on offer he looks plenty short enough against some well-treated rivals; so, for that reason we think he is opposable in a what is a very competitive renewal.Melting Dew holds solid each-way claimsThe Sir Michael Stoute trained Melting Dew comes into the race on the back of two successes and looks sure to make a bold bid to land the hat-trick. In the last of those at Sandown, he showed a tremendous attitude to rally strongly and beat Alfarris beck a neck off a mark of 93 over 1m 2f.
A 4lb rise for that could prove lenient as the winner has since come out and won to give the form a boost. That success for Alfarris came here earlier in the week off a mark of 95 in a competitive 15-runner affair. Given that Melting Dew beat him off level weights at Sandown, it suggests that he may well be still ahead of the assessor.
The way in which he dug deep and found extra that day also suggested that he may have more to offer when stepped back up in trip. He gets an extra four furlongs to tackle in this having run well last season to be placed twice over 1m 4f when doing all his best work at the finish on both occasions.
Everything suggests that the thriving Melting Dew is going to be very hard to keep out of the frame. So, with some bookmakers – including BetVictor – paying five places, he has to be our each-way selection among the 2018 Qatar Summer Handicap betting tips.Your Next Bet
