TimeformBlog

14:30 - When a big field of relatively unexposed three-year-olds, only two of which have ever won a race is the most attractive first-leg on offer today, you can see we're going to need a bit of luck as well as judgement. Judgement says that Ishikawa, who has a solid chance of reaching the frame if converting his win on the all-weather in May to turf, and Mystic Edge, third in the same race and now ridden for the first time by Jamie Spencer, are the two to have on side. However, luck has whispered Pearl Opera, who could just be allowed an easy lead in a race with a significant lack of front-runners and is included just in case.

15:00 - As we've taken three in the first, we're going to have to find a banker in the seller (yes, I know that sounds like an oxymoron). With chief dangers Country Road (likes to hang) and Fly By White (last on both her outings this year) having big question marks over their heads, we have to turn to Viewing, who has 'personality traits' of her own but has at least been runner-up twice in similar company this year.

15:30 - Four-runner races are never ideal for 'Placepotting' as it's very precarious to bank on finding the winner, and the fillies' handicap looks no exception. Undulant Way undoubtedly has more to offer, highlighted by the way she slammed 11 rivals over today's trip at Windsor last time, and has to be involved, but Amistress is a tough little filly that has ran creditably on her last two starts and has often shaped as though she would benefit for the step up from ten furlongs.

16:00 - There's the temptation to bank on Piranha in what is just the second nursery of the year after she impressed when readily brushing aside Banksy on this surface at Kempton a little over two weeks ago. However, that horse was comfortably held at Southwell last night, leaving a slight doubt regards the strength of the form and Dark Ages, runner-up to subsequent listed winner Pyman's Theory on her second start and well ahead of next-time-out winner Lady Nickandy when winning at Nottingham last time, could well be underestimated by an official rating of 70.

16:30 - It wouldn't take much for a newcomer to win the six-furlong juvenile maiden such is the form of those that have already run, but Flosse has at least showed ability and is readily excused her effort last time when failing to stay seven furlongs. Back at a more suitable trip and getting weight from all bar one her rivals, it would be a surprise if she wasn't good enough to finish in the first three.

17:00 - If one wide-open sprint maiden wasn't enough, we end with another. Now, normally you'd expect a Sir Mark Prescott horse having had three runs on the all-weather and having acquired an official rating in the low 70's to be lining up in a handicap, but with Arabian Heights this isn't so. This suggests that the trainer feels a race of this nature is his for the taking and with Arabian Nights top on Timeform ratings and open to improvement, he'll do for me.

Selections: 12 lines
14:30     2, 4, 6
15:00     4
15:30     1, 2
16:00     2, 5
14:30     11
17:00     1

For more racing betting articles, go to http://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/