TimeformBlog

Victoire de Lyphar enjoyed excellent first season for David Nicholls, signing off with second in Ayr Gold Cup. Didn't show much last year though, and this ground might be too soft for him on return.

Nasri was rejuvenated by move to this yard in 2011, winning at Musselburgh and Hamilton. Didn't run too badly on reappearance but although he has won on soft, he is probably better on a sounder surface.

Citrus Star had a quiet year on turf but looked a natural on the AW when overcoming a wide draw in emphatic fashion at Lingfield in October. Not at best when last seen though and ground a concern.

Mirza put up eespectable efforts all starts following his back-to-form win at Haydock (6f) in August. Well backed when landing a Newbury handicap on Friday and should make a bold bid to overcome a penalty.

Seal Rock made an impeccable start to his career when landing first 3 races (all at 6f) 6 months apart. Second at Goodwood in October a good effort and should have more to come this year. Soft ground an unknown.

Docofthebay was knocking on the door in handicaps last year prior to listed win at Lingfield in November. Ran respectable race at Doncaster on return to turf and the faster they go early, the better.

Clockmaker won twice at end of 2011 and solid efforts in defeat on polytrack over the winter. No impact in the Lincoln last time and might prove well suited by the demands of a stiff 6f. One to consider.

Osteopathic Remedy was back on his game when scoring at Thirsk in July (1m). Not at very best afterwards and might find this trip on the sharp side on return from 6-month break.

Crown Choice won a 6f handicap in 2011 for Walter Swinburn. Yet to fire for new stable and may need a faster surface.

Parisian Pyramid won twice (6f) in 2010. Found going tough in 2011 from this sort of mark. Didn't run too badly over 7f on reappearance though and return to sprinting should help.

Grissom was resurgent last summer, winning 3 times at 6f/7f including over C&D and on a soft surface. Busy spell may have caught up when last seen but entitled to come on for this reappearance.

Shropshire created big impression when making winning 2-y-o debut. Lost way after good reappearance in 2011 but kicked off this year with a bang at Kempton. Can do better but ground an unknown.

Tajneed put up several respectable efforts in handicaps in 2011. Below par all 4 runs in France at turn of the year for Mrs J. Bidgood, and beaten in claimer 12 days ago. Return to 6f will suit though.

Coolminx has a patchy profile, but useful when on song as she showed when winning Newcastle handicap in August and the Ayr Bronze Cup in September. Conditions to suit and couldn't discount.

Fred Willetts thrived with visor refitted on AW early last year and back to best when going in again at Chester in June. Ended 2011 out of sorts and best watched with visor left off on first run for new yard.

Wildcat Wizard has not won since juvenile days, but gradually regained sparkle during a truncated campaign for current yard last year. No show on return to action though and something to prove for now.

No Hubris was twice placed in early-season 7f handicaps for Paul Cole last year prior to losing his way, switch to Roger Varian no help at Chester in September. Well held on first run for Ruth Carr.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Clockmaker
2. Mirza
3. Coolminx

Timeform Verdict: Mirza and Coolminx will both appreciate soft ground and the former still looks well in under a penalty (effectively only 3 lb higher than at Newbury). They may both have to give best to Clockmaker though, with a stiff 6f unlikely to inconvenience him and the conditions no problem either.

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