TimeformBlog

The form of Blanc de Chine's latest outing, a second over course and distance, received a boost on Friday when winner Ballesteros followed up in a competitive nursery at Haydock, and Peter Makin's filly has a fine chance of getting off the mark in the maiden that opens proceedings at Windsor this afternoon. Caught only close home in the aforementioned race earlier this month, Blanc de Chine should be hard to catch with similar tactics likely to be employed and can get SmartPlays' week off to a winning start.

The next betting opportunity comes just ten minutes later in the form of Desert Philosopher at Pontefract. Despite showing signs of inexperience, the son of Pastoral Pursuits finished third at Warwick last month on debut, and the form of the race looks fairly solid with the front three pulling clear and the runner-up Glen Moss going into the race with a BHA rating of 81. Granted likely improvement, Desert Philosopher looks sure to go well.

Saeed bin Suroor and his Godolphin team are finishing off the Flat season with their usual late flourish and can add further gains by taking Pontefract's listed Silver Tankard Stakes with Al Saham. A winner over seven furlongs at Newcastle on debut , this well-bred colt (sire won Derby, dam runner-up in the Lancashire Oaks) looks sure to benefit from the step up to a mile today and, although he faces some rivals with proven form, none can match Al Saham's scope for improvement. He can take this before moving on to bigger and better things over middle distances next season.

Recommendations
Back Blanc de Chine @ 2.42 in the 14:30 at Windsor
Back Desert Philosopher @ 3.45 in the 14:40 at Pontefract
Back Al Saham @ 5.4 in the 15:40 at Pontefract

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