MichaelBell

14.10 Newbury - Momentary

Obviously we are taking a bit of a punt by running a maiden in a Listed race but she's a lovely filly and her homework has suggested that she is on the brink of Listed class. This does look a warm renewal with the Guineas runner-up in there, but we should get a good idea as to her ability here.

16.30 Newmarket - Bite Of The Cherry

She is a well-bred filly who should be ideally suited by middle distances as she progresses. She showed promise on her debut but this looks a better race and I would imagine she was more of a long-term prospect.

18.50 Hamilton - Fortieth And Fifth

He has run well on both his starts to date, finishing a good second at Ripon last month. He is in good form at home and this looks a very good opportunity for him to get off the mark - I will be disappointed if he doesn't win and he looks easily the best chance of the day.

20.00 Hamilton - Crème Anglaise

She's a very progressive filly and I thought she ran a lovely race at Goodwood on her reappearance. She is 3lb out of the handicap but I am still expecting her to run very well - she still has her best days ahead of her.

20.35 Hamilton - Dubai Sunshine

He's been a bit disappointing since winning his maiden at Southwell earlier in the year. I think that 6f on this stiff track should suit him - more so than round the bend at Wolverhampton last time. This looks a good race for the track but hopefully he will see his race out strongly and looks to have a chance.

21.10 Hamilton - Bouncy Bouncy

The handicapper put her up 5lb for finishing second at Southwell last time and my hand has been forced slightly as this was my last chance to run her before her new mark kicks in. The ground might be a shade quicker than ideal for her but she is in rude health at home and has to have a solid chance in an open race.

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14:00 York - Set To Music

She was hugely progressive last season, winning a Listed race here in impressive fashion and then a good second in Group 2 company at Doncaster, and I would be very hopeful that she will improve again this time round. This has been her early season target for some time now and the track and the ground should be fine for her. There is obviously a slight concern about the drop back in trip - her best runs last term came over further - but she's in good order and this is a really good place for her to start her campaign.


16:10 York - Star Of Rohm

He's a horse who has been pleasing me at home but the two-year-olds that I have run so far have been really needing the experience. I would suspect that will prove the case with him as well but he has a future.


14:10 Salisbury - Candycakes

She makes her handicap debut here having shown plenty of promise in maidens. She has been in very good form at home and I don't think she is on a bad mark on that evidence. The trip should suit her well and the ground is unlikely to be a problem - I would like to think she has each-way claims at least.


16:55 Salisbury - One Kool Dude

He is a longstanding maiden but I am sure that he can win a race at some stage. He's been working well enough and seems in good order, but we are still learning about him and this might be a bit too competitive. He could probably do with a bit of help from the handicapper and looks best watched this time.

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Doncaster
14:25, 2m2f Group 2
Tactician: He looks ready for this step up in trip now and he has been in good form at home since his second in the Ebor. This is obviously a big step up in class for him but he has done nothing but improve and any further progress for the longer distance would give him claims. I can't be too confident but, equally, I think he should make a bold bid.

Wolverhampton
18:40, 1m4f Handicap
Azurinta: She hasn't done a great deal in maidens but she starts off in handicaps off a lowly mark and she will appreciate the extra distance. This looks a bit of an egg and spoon race and I will be very disappointed if she can't be competive.

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Wednesday

Doncaster

14:35 6f Conditions
Alaskan Bullet: He was very impressive when he made a winning debut at Yarmouth and that wasn't totally unexpected. He gets a handy weight allowance here and hopefully must have an excellent chance. He has done very well at home since his debut and he comes here in excellent form.

Thursday

Doncaster

15:00 1m6f Group 2
Set To Music: She is a highly progressive filly and she was very impressive in the Galtres Stakes at York last time. She has an extra two furlongs to go here but she didn't look like she was running out of steam at York and hopefully she will get the trip. There is always a doubt when they haven't tried it before but if she stays, she has an outstanding chance.

15:35 1m Maiden
Bridgehampton: He was an expensive purchase and is a lovely long-term prospect. He will need this sort of trip at least in time - he is bred to stay very well - but I suspect a few of these might be a bit more clued up. Keep a note of him though, as he is one to keep an eye on for the future.

Wolverhampton

18:10 7f Maiden
Mexican Wave: He has been very disappointing in his two runs so far and hopefully the switch to Polytrack will suit him. On what he has shown on the track, he does look up against it though.

18:40 7f Handicap
Biaraafa: She has disappointed on her last couple of runs but she is in an ordinary race and up against her own sex, so hopefully she can bounce back. I do have a slight fear that she might be the type to do her best work in the mornings though.

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Just two runners for Michael at York but both have place chances at least...


14.00 1m4f Handicap

Prompter: He has dropped in the weights to a mark I am sure he can be competitive off, even though it won't be easy giving weight away. He looks so classy on the gallops that I can't believe he won't be thereabouts if it all falls into place. These races are never easy to win but I couldn't put you off him.


15:40 5f Group 1

Margot Did: This is a very tough race for 3yo fillies and she will need to improve to make an impact. That said, she has been aimed at the race for a while and is working brilliantly at home at the moment. Anyone who backs her should get a run for their money, even if she isn't quite good enough.


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Newmarket trainer Michael Bell has made the trip to Chicago to saddle Wigmore Hall in the Arlington Million on Saturday night (23:15). Read what our columnist had to say about his chance....


Arlington Park

23.15 1m2f Grade 1

Wigmore Hall: The horse has travelled very well to Arlington and he has been in great form since arriving there. The draw hasn't been as kind as it could have been but it shouldn't be insurmountable. He proved he liked the track when he was second in the Secretariat Stakes last year and I am very hopeful of a big run. Cape Blanco will obviously be very hard to beat but I am very pleased with his preparation and hopefully he will reward our faith in him.


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Goodwood

15:10 1m Handicap

Mont Agel: The stats are against him from what looks a very bad draw and he wouldn't really want the ground too quick. I will have a look at the ground in the morning and make a decision then, but there is every chance he won't line up.

Newmarket

17:50 1m Handicap

Joe Strummer: He ran a nice race over this C&D last week and this doesn't look as strong a race. He wouldn't want the ground to dry out too much but assuming it isn't too quick, he has to go there with a strong chance.

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Goodwood

15:15, 2m Group 2

Allied Powers: He will only run if I am happy with the ground and if there is any 'firm' in the going description, it would be unlikely. This will be his first crack at 2m and the way he ran in France last time would suggest that it might be what he wants these days.

Nottingham

16.05, 1m2f Handicap

Set To Music: She is a C&D winner who was put up 10lb for her latest very impressive success. She is still improving and the handicapper may not have caught up just yet. The Godolphin horse Terdaad has some useful formlines and he is likely to be a big danger, but I am very happy with my filly.

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Goodwood

17:30 1m1f Handicap

Miss Aix: She's in very good form at home and she has been targeted at this race for a while - her owner loves to have runners at Glorious Goodwood and this looked the right sort of race. She is well drawn and I will be disappointed if she isn't very competitive.


Sandown

20:05 1m1f Handicap

Mystic Edge: She is on a roll at present, winning at Lingfield and Epsom, but she has been put up another 6lb for her last win. She hasn't got a very good draw and I just have a nasty feeling that the handicapper may have caught up with her for now.

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Newmarket, Friday
13:20, 7f Handicap
Sweetie Time: She is in great form at home and I think she will run extremely well. I am convinced she is on a good mark, I have booked a talented apprentice and I am expecting a very big run. Any rain would be a bonus but she is a smart filly and I will be disappointed if she doesn't go very close.

17:20, 1m Handicap
Capaill Liath: He has been in good order at home since Royal Ascot but this does look a very competitive race. He has an each-way chance, but I wouldn't be getting heavily involved in a race like this.

Newbury, Friday
19:55, 6.5f Seller
Holy Empress: She is only limited and we are starting her off in a weak race. I am not expecting big things but if she were to go close, it would be a bonus.

Best chance: Sweetie Time

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