Thirteen runners remain in contention for Saturday’s Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes (2000m) at Doomben following today’s scratching of Encosta Line; offering punters exceptional value in betting terms and plenty of chances to place a winning wager.

Howard Be Thy Name is the Races.com.au tip to win Saturday’s Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes at Doomben. Photo: Jenny Barnes

Mackintosh remains outright $2.25 favourite in 2016 Grand Prix Stakes betting markets with leading online bookie Ladbrokes.com.au, ahead of Howard Be Thy Name ($3.90) and classy local Cylinder Beach ($7.50).

Will Mackintosh continue his winning run of form through the Grand Prix Stakes, or will one of his talented rivals post an upset?

1^st

Howard Be Thy Name ($3.90)

Howard Be Thy Name broke through for a maiden win at the highest level last start, is arguably the class horse of the 2016 Grand Prix Stakes field and is more than worth consideration for a bet at current $3.90 odds for success. Making a commendable transition to black type company when second in the Listed Tasmanian Derby (2200m) on February 5^th, the Redoute’s Choice gelding is since undefeated; winning each of the Racing.com BM70 (1600m), Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m), Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (2020m) and Group 1 SA Derby (2500m) most recently. Howard Be Thy Name should find a handy position off pace from barrier 10, and will be partnered by Brad Rawiller.

2^nd

Cylinder Beach ($7.50)

Cylinder Beach has been the stable star for Desleigh Forster through his entire racing career and appears as though he will relish the conditions of the 2016 Grand Prix Stakes. Returning to the paddock after delivering a number of notable rivals a seven length defeat in the James Boags Premium Plate (1640m) in early November, the Showcasing gelding resumed this time for an impressive win in the Group 3 Gunsynd Classic (1630m) before running on for second in the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) a fortnight ago. Drawn centrally in barrier 9, Cylinder Beach has been confirmed to be partnered by in-form hoop Michael Cahill.

3^rd

Mackintosh ($2.25)

Mackintosh won the Rough Habit Plate with ease last start, will find a good position on pace from barrier 3 and has been confirmed to be partnered by Blake Shinn once more in the Grand Prix Stakes, but arguably faces his toughest test so-far in the three-year-old feature. Claiming four wins through only six competitive appearances, the Pins gelding is so-far undefeated since transferring to the care of Chris Waller, having taken out the Fishboy Seafoods BM77 (1500m) in his only other start for the leading trainer prior to the Rough Habit Plate.

Do you agree with our 2016 Grand Prix Stakes tips? Open an account at Ladbrokes.com.au today and have your say with the best odds available online!