Horse racing tips: Ken Pitterson’s Weekend Selection Box

Paddock expert Ken Pitterson shares his best bet for Saturday and nominates three other horses to keep a close eye on.

BEST BET FOR SATURDAY

COMMANCHE FALLS

Trainer: Michael Dods. Race: 3.00 Ascot

This six-year-old has had a fabulous season, winning three times and running other good races in defeat.

He did well to win a Listed contest at York last time when held up and finding some trouble before pouncing.

He steps back into Group Three company, but has already won at this higher level this summer – at Newbury in July - and is clearly in the form of his life.

The key to him is a strong pace, which I think he will get. The decent ground will also be in his favour.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

Jarraaf at Kempton on Wednesday

Trainer: Owen Burrows

I’ve seen a number of two-year-olds this week and was very much taken by this Zoustar colt.

A tall, lengthy individual, he looked fit and well for his debut over 6f at Kempton on Wednesday, but he had to overcome stall 11.

Quickly in to stride, he was bang on the pace after the first furlong and travelled powerfully in second place under Jim Crowley.

I loved the way he quickened and lengthened all the way to the line. It took Crowley a bit of time to pull him up, but when he came back to the winner’s enclosure it hardly looked as if he’d had a race. The best of him will be seen next season when he strengthens up.

HORSE TO NOTE

Sea The Thunder

Trainer: Ralph Beckett

Ralph Beckett had a number of juveniles on the final card of the season at Salisbury on Thursday, and I was very much taken by this son of Kingman.

He possesses plenty of size and scope and looked well in the paddock. In the race itself, his inexperience was evident throughout and even when he was pulled out to make his challenge he did not understand what was required.

Given the circumstances, he did well to fill the runner-up spot. In the long term, I expect him to turn out to be the best horse in this race.

THE HORSE I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT WEEK

City Of Troy

Race: Native Trail’s Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket next Saturday (2pm)

Next week's Dewhurst usually defines the best two-year-old of the season. And of all the juveniles I have seen this season, it’s this son of Justified who has some star qualities.

This long striding colt hit the line strong and almost ran into the boards at the end of the track when winning on his debut at The Curragh.

He built on that promise next time out when outclassing his rivals in the the Group Two Superlative Stakes over 7f at Newmarket.

He will be a very short price next weekend – he’s 4-6 in the ante-post betting - but it will be great to see what he can do. He is the most outstanding juvenile I have seen this season.