Home / Horse Racing / Strong Field For Competitive Handicap On The Knavesmire

52nd John Smith's Cup Betting: Pekan Star favourite for York feature

Saturday's 52nd John Smith's Cup at York is once again a very competitive affair as a maximum field of 20 compete for the £150,000 handicap race. It is one of the most prestigious middle distance races in Europe and the in-form Roger Varian boasts the hot favourite as Pekan Star is currently priced 4/1 with Bet 365.

The 4-year-old colt is lightly raced having had just three outings in two years, and he was a course and distance winner in May when well handicapped. The progressive performer looks nicely handicapped at 8st 9lbs again this weekend and has a kind draw from stall nine. He missed Royal Ascot last month due to injury, although that has only helped to protect his handicap for this race and he looks a worthy favourite for the red hot Varian.

Several who did make the trip to Royal Ascot reappear at York on Saturday and William Haggas's Green Destiny is next best at 7/1 in the betting. The gelding was a big disappointment on Merseyside as he was a well beaten favourite in the Wolferton Handicap after being hampered during the race. The 4-year-old is relatively unexposed after winning three from five starts but must overcome a tricky draw of 17.

Also at 7/1, is Royal Ascot winner Beachfire, who impressed when taking the Wolferton in blinkers. A favourable draw of 11 and a handicap of 9st 3lbs make John Gosden's colt worthy of consideration, particularly as the 4-year-old looks to build on last year's form that saw him win four from five.

A point further back in the betting with B365 is Modun, who was another well beaten favourite at Royal Ascot. The gelding could only finish 13th, although the ground was soft that day and conditions should be far better suited this weekend. The stables of Sir Michael Stoute are certainly running into form of late and this gelding is another to keep an eye on after winning twice and placing once in three other outings.

Elsewhere, Godolphin go in dual-handed as they enter a couple of recent additions to the stables of Saeed Bin Suroor. Lost In The Moment, second to Beachfire in the Wolferton last time out, is priced 10/1 by Bet365.com after moving from the stables of Jeremy Noseda, where he was a three time winner. The progressive Sarrsar (14/1) was runner up over 9 furlongs at York on his first start for Godolphin. The decision to use visors that day was wholly justified and he could be an each-way contender after winning three of five starts for Michael Jarvis.

Meanwhile, Richard Fahey has won three of the last nine John Smith's Cup renewals and he goes in strong handed again as he boasts four runners. His two leading contenders would appear to be the 16/1 pair of Kay Gee Be and Tepmokea, who won the John Smith's Stakes at York last time out.

Also at 16/1 is the ever green Nanton, who at 9 years of age won the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar last time out, although he will have to overcome a big handicap this weekend and it could be the young pretender Pekan Star who runs away with this prestigious race.

Latest 52nd John Smith's Cup Betting

4/1 Pekan Star
7/1 Green Destiny
7/1 Beachfire
8/1 Modun
10/1 Lost In The Moment
14/1 Sarrsar
16/1 Constant Contact
16/1 Kay Gee Be
16/1 Tepmokea
16/1 Nanton
20/1 Jutland
25/1 BAR

Odds supplied by Bet365.com bookmakers, best odds guaranteed on all UK and Irish horse racing.

Posted: Friday, 8th July 2011
Author: Chris James
Tags: john smiths cup, pekan star, beachfire, bet365,

10 Latest Horse-racing Articles

	Height Of Fashion Stakes Odds Goodwood hosts Listed Oaks Trial Coquet And Gathering Head The Betting	23rd May
	Bonfire clipped in the latest Epsom Derby betting following key trial win 2000 Guineas Winner Camelot Remains Favourite	21st May
	Lockinge Stakes Odds Frankel all the rage in betting on seasonal reappearance Sir Henry Cecils Stable Star Long Odds On At Newbury	18th May
	Yorkshire Cup Odds Red Cadeaux heads the Group Two betting Harris Tweed Could Provide Value At York	17th May
	Middleton Stakes Odds Izzi Top Likely Favourite in Close Betting Race at York I	16th May
	Dante Stakes Odds Bonfire Set to Light Up York in Derby Trial Mandaean And Ernest Hemingway Also Being Backed	16th May
	Duke of York Stakes Odds Hoof It and Mayson Dispute Favouritism Ahead of York First Day Feature Restiadargent Looks Good Bet For Each Way Backers	15th May
	Musidora Stakes Odds The Fugue Should Start Favourite for Oaks Trial at York Twirl The Big Danger From Ballydoyle	15th May
	Betfred Victoria Cup Odds Lightning Cloud Can Strike for Kevin Ryan 24 Go To Post For Ascot Feature	11th May
	Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes Betting Wrote favourite for Ballydoyle Aidan O'Brien Has Won Five Of The Last Six Renewals	11th May

Archive - Previous 5 Horse Racing Articles

	July Cup Odds Dream Ahead Can Win For Hayley In Newmarket Feature Delegator Almost Certain to go off Favourite for the Group One Sprint	8th Jul
	Falmouth Stakes Odds One Of Two French Raiders Can Land Friday Feature At Newmarket Maqaasid Best Each Way Proposition	7th Jul
	Cherry Hinton Stakes Odds Shumoos Heads The Betting For Group Two Sprint My Propeller second favourite after dominant Pontefract win	7th Jul
	Princess Of Waless Stakes Odds Redwood Favourite To Go One Better At Newmarket Betting makes last year's runner up favourite for opening day feature	6th Jul
	Bahrain Trophy Odds Solar Sky And Masked Marvel Favourites For Newmarket Opener Census also well backed for first race of July Festival Meeting	6th Jul

Headline News

	England V West Indies 2nd Test Odds Hosts Start Hot Favourites At Trent Bridge Tempting Odds For Ian Bell To Score A Century
	2012 BMW PGA Championship Tips Ben Curtis A Good Bet To Score On English Soil Again McDowell And Fraser Also Fancied To Do Well
	Crowne Plaza Invitational Odds Zach Johnson Heads The Betting At Colonial David Toms Returns To Defend His Title In Texas
	Height Of Fashion Stakes Odds Goodwood Hosts Listed Oaks Trial Coquet And Gathering Head The Betting
	Second Eurovision Semi Final Odds Graham Norton Gets Prepares To Poke Fun

£250 Free Bet - Paddypower

BRAND NEW £250 free bets offer.

Open a new account with Paddy Power and place an initial bet of between £10 and £50
Paddy Power will match this with a free bet to the same stake
Paddy Power then let you repeat this a further four times to allow you to claim a maximum of £250 in free bets.

Open Account - Free £250 Bets With Paddypower