TimeformBlog

Spanish Pride was the impressive winner of a Folkestone maiden and looked to be a two-year-old going places in 2010 before a setback forced her off for almost a year off. She shaped with plenty of promise on her 2011 seasonal reappearance, however, staying on strongly under a considerate ride at the end of a mile contest to finish fifth behind Watneya at Sandown. She seemed amiss on her following start, but was seen in a better light in her one and only subsequent race at Nottingham, where it looked as though she could be capable of progression if kept right. Both that performance, and her display at Sandown, suggested that today's step up in trip to ten furlongs could bring about sufficient improvement to see her go close off what looks a lenient mark in the 17:00 at Salisbury. Her pedigree confirms that she should relish the extra distance and Spanish Pride could be one to be on in this.

Staying at Salisbury, Billy Buttons (17:30) is another stepping up in trip, and it is likely that the extra three furlongs in today's contest will bring about enough improvement to see the Andrew Balding-trained colt get off the mark in what looks an open contest. Billy Buttons has improved with each and every run so far this season, and his profile and pedigree alike suggest that there may be more to come. He has finished second on his last three outings, but that is merely a coincidence, for he has done nothing wrong and possesses a willing attitude. Chief amongst his rivals this afternoon are Mazagee and Spice Fair, but they are more exposed than our selection and he should have enough to get the better of them.

The final selection is Fire Ship, who did well last time racing over a mile for the first time, having previously raced over six and seven furlongs, to be beaten into second by Plym. It was a very encouraging run to pull clear of the third placed horse, when considering how freely he had raced in the early stages, and several subsequent winners have emerged from what looks to have been a strong nursery event. Fire Ship has raced only four times so far and his profile suggests he might be able to improve further to strike off what remains a workable mark.

Back Spanish Pride @ 3.65 in the 17:00 at Salisbury
Back Billy Buttons @ 5.9 in the 17:30 at Salisbury
Back Fire Ship @ 5.5 in the 17:40 at Windsor

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