2 tips for today, all my own work

SILK MILL BLUE ran creditably when fifth from 6lb out of the handicap at Beverley last time, and although he’s exposed as moderate, a repeat of that effort would see him go close back off his proper mark and down significantly in grade at Thirsk today (3.10).

Whilst he never looked like winning at Beverley, the finish was dominated by horses that raced tight towards the inside rail throughout, whereas Silk Mill Blue was always one off the rail.

That was a class 5 event, and represented a fair effort given he was 6lb wrong at the weights. He has to prove he can back that run up, but his stable has had a few horses run well lately and by its nature this is a very weak race, so it might be worth chancing that he is in the form to take advantage of this weaker race.

KENTUCKYCONNECTION'S current level of form is far removed from his glory day when 5th in the 2000 Guineas, but he has shaped better than the bare result on each of his last two starts and should be suited by the return to 7f at Thirsk today (5.40).

He made his challenge away from the favoured stands rail over the 6f195y trip at Carlisle, finishing well and looking ready for a return to a full 7f.

With that in mind, it was slightly surprising that he was dropped to 6f next time at Pontefract, but although he never looked remotely like being involved in the finish having raced very wide, he did make late progress into fifth.

The return to 7f should suit, as should the decent gallop that can usually be relied on at this sort of trip round here, and although he has tended to find winning hard in recent years, he might have found his level this season.

Thanks Hugh