TimeformBlog

Trainer John Wade enjoyed a strong finish to 2011 (in December the County Durham handler sent out six winners at a strike rate of 21%) and, though Wade has yet to get off the mark so far this year, hopes are high that Quel Ballistic (15.25, Doncaster) can be the first of many. Quel Ballistic has taken well to fences this season and a staying-on second over an extended two and three quarter miles at Wetherby in November suggested there would be plenty of improvement to come when stepped up to three miles and beyond. Quel Ballistic was in the process of proving that point in no uncertain fashion at Catterick last time, where he was running on strongly into a closing second prior to being hampered by the fall of the leader two out, causing his jockey Wilson Renwick to unseat. Such was the effect to which Quel Ballistic was finishing it is likely that he would have won without the leaders' fall and as such has to go down as an unlucky loser. Renwick is back aboard today and the pair are fancied to make amends and provide Wade with his first winner of 2012.

Hopes were high for Nibani (16.45 Kempton) last spring as the then twice-raced four-year-old had been kept in training by Sir Michael Stoute, and he seemed to justify connections decision to persevere when runner-up on his return at Windsor in April. Things have not exactly gone to plan since, but there has been a lot more promise of late, and in the care of current trainer Alastair Lidderdale, Nibani finally broke his maiden at the sixteenth time of asking when landing a ten-furlong claimer at Lingfield at the end of December. In the aftermath of that triumph connections were talking about the possibility of the Spring Mile at Doncaster's opening Flat meeting in March. Whilst that may be tilting at windmills slightly, Nibani did show further improvement dropped back to a mile in a handicap at Lingfield on Saturday where he ran on well to finish a close second. The step back up to ten furlongs this afternoon should suit, and Nibani can notch his second career victory.

Our third and final selection of the day also comes from Kempton in the shape of the David Simcock-trained Gold Tobougg (19.15). Bar one easily forgivable effort on heavy ground at Newcastle, Gold Tobougg's career record is one of steady improvement, and she got off the mark in a maiden at Wolverhampton last month on just her fourth start. That win was over six furlongs, but both her pedigree and style of racing (strongest in the closing stages at Wolverhampton) point to her being at her best over longer distances. As such, the step up to today's trip of seven furlongs for her handicap debut is in her favour and she can make the most of what appears a favourable mark to see off mainly exposed rivals.

Back Quel Ballistic @ 3.4 in the 15.25 at Doncaster
Back Nibani @3.15 in the 16.45 at Kempton
Back Gold Tobougg @2.56 in the 19.15 at Kempton

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