TimeformBlog

Dimension ran away with a mile maiden here in May and has by and large run well in handicaps since. He ran respectably when sixth dropped back to this trip last time, but the suspicion is that further suits him ideally.

Barnet Fair won here twice earlier in the year and has shaped better than the bare result a number of times since, including when fifth from a poor position at Doncaster last time.

Quality Art picked up three victories, two of them here, earlier in the season, but has been most disappointing on his last two starts and all his wins have come over five furlongs.

Ganas got off the mark at only the second attempt in a six-furlong maiden at Doncaster on August. He ran well when third on his handicap debut at Haydock next time and is open to further improvement as he gains experience.

Manoori won an all-weather maiden last November and has gone on improving this year, recording handicaps wins at Nottingham and Sandown. She didn't seem to have any excuses off this mark last time, though.

Diamond Charlie is a free-going sort who scored over five furlongs at Epsom in July. He was found wanting in a stronger contest there last time and it's possible that the handicapper has his measure now.

Sadafiya landed a maiden and a nursery on the all-weather last year and her best efforts this season have also come on the polytrack. She's probably vulnerable to more progressive types.

Fair Value won a maiden at Lingfield on her second start and seemingly got back on the up when winning at Folkestone in August. There's a slight doubt over the strength of that form, though, and she's not proven over this far.

Sand Owl won a seven-furlong maiden at Leicester on her reappearance in March. Her three runs in handicaps since have suggested she's high enough in the weights and she is returning from a break here.

Monsieur Jamie's three wins have all come over five furlongs at Southwell. He was last seen when unseating his rider at the start back in March and his one run on polytrack to date lacked sparkle.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1.    Barnet Fair
2.    Ganas
3.    Dimension

Timeform View: Barnet Fair has run better than the results have suggested on his last few outings and can add to his two previous course successes. Ganas is lightly raced and has more to offer, while the consistent Dimension can't be discounted despite being kept to six furlongs.

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Judged on their achievements to date, the front two in the market for the nursery at Ayr (14:45) are the wrong way round. The Richard Fahey-trained Trumpet Voluntary currently heads the betting after making a winning debut at Carlisle last month and he's certainly open to improvement, but the chances are he didn't achieve as much as Tim Easterby's Deepsand did opening his account at Redcar, something that isn't really reflected in the marks the two have been allotted. At the prices today, Deepsand looks well worth taking to prove that the handicapper has let him in lightly.

John Dunlop's Mountain Range has long looked the sort to relish a mile and a half, but he got no chance to demonstrate the point on his first start over the trip at Newmarket last time, when a poor position as things panned out was compounded by him getting no run whatsoever. Before that he'd very much been going the right way and all his handicap efforts this term look strong pieces of form. A mark of 83 certainly doesn't look beyond him and he should go close granted a cleaner run through the race at Newbury (18:00) today.

There aren't many trainers in the country in better form than Chris Wall and he's got an outstanding chance of another winner in the shape of Ride The Wind at Wolverhampton (18:50) this evening. She finally found some improvement when second, beaten a short head, in a course-and-distance event last month, when she was arguably unlucky given that she conceded the winner first run. A 3 lb rise for that looks more than fair and she has standout claims of opening her account this evening.

Recommendations
Back Deepsand @ 4.8 Ayr 14:45
Back Mountain Range @ 5.9 Newbury 18:00
Back Ride The Wind @ 3.75 Wolverhampton 18:50

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14:00 - Here's hoping that experience will see us through the first leg, as both of the selections have already run. Marah Music sets the standard on her fourth at Windsor, showing plenty of speed that day, and she should have improved for the run. Richard Hannon's Swing It shaped as if in need of the outing at Newmarket and, like our first selection, has been given some time off, but he should be much more clued up now and can carry us through into leg two.

14:35 - Three year-olds can often provide the answer to these sort of races at this time of year, so Fine Threads is a good starting point. She was given plenty of time after her winning reappearance this year before running a good third in a competitive handicap over C&D. She has been given a break again, is open to more improvement and is unlikely to be far away. Our second selection comes in the form of the thrice-raced Elraabeya. Sir Michael Stoute's three year-old improved for each start in maidens, getting off the mark at the third time of asking, and has potential to do better.

15:10 - The conditions event over one mile and a furlong is an intriguing event in which Dubai Prince makes his belated reappearance. He had a well-documented setback in the spring but, judged on his Irish form and lofty reputation, he could prove to be a class above today's rivals and is worth taking a chance on here, especially as main rival Tazeez has been declared a non-runner.

15:45 - Just the one selection required here, with Harvard N Yale expected to go close. He has done nothing wrong so far in his career, finishing second to the exctiting Ektihaam on debut at Newbury before winning at Newmarket, despite still looking green. He remains open to improvement and sets a good standard here.

16:20 - Glen Moss has finished second on both his starts, showing enough to suggest that he will win before long. He is clearly thought a lot of by the Hills team as he holds Middle Park and Dewhurst entries, and should run into the places. He may be trumped by our second selection, however, as Accession shaped with plenty of promise on debut at Haydock and is sure to improve from that, looking the one to beat here.

16:55 - Hazel Lavery is the sole selection in the final leg, which with any luck will steer us home. She showed plenty of promise when finishing third on debut, doing much the best of those held up in that race. In receipt of weight from her main rival here, Hazel Lavery will surely improve and is expected to make the first two.

Selections
14:00 - 7, 9
14:35 - 8, 9
15:10 - 6
15:45 - 2
16:20 - 1, 4
16:55 - 4
= 8 lines

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Alejandro has won three times this year, taking small steps forward on each occasion, and wasn't disgraced when mid-field in a valuable event at Doncaster last time. He looks one of the more likely sorts.

Hexagonal is an Irish raider who has yet to win a race but has run creditably more often than not. Six furlongs and beyond is going to suit him best, though.

Kool Henry is a front runner who has been placed on all four of his starts since getting off the mark over five furlongs at Newcastle in June. He was beaten almost four lengths by Ponty Acclaim at Ripon last time, though, and has work to do here.

Powerful Wind recorded a fourth victory when making all in a five-furlong nursery at Warwick last month. This is much tougher, however, and he's unproven on easy ground.

Signifer landed a five-furlong maiden at Bath in May and a five-runner nursery at Sandown last month. He hasn't been discredited in four starts since, but has seemingly had his limitations exposed and doesn't appear entirely straightforward either.

Son du Silence bagged a six-furlong maiden at Windsor in June and added to his tally in a five-furlong nursery at Newcastle last month. He ran well when second at Ffos Las last time, but a good deal more is required now up in grade.

Caledonia Lady has her quirks but certainly isn't short of ability, finishing in the frame in Group 2 events on three occasions, a close-up third to Requnto in the Flying Childers at Doncaster being the most recent. She has strong claims on that form.

Ponty Acclaim has won three of her seven races to date and ran on strongly when proving too strong for Kool Henry in a five-furlong minor event at Ripon last time. She is well worth her place in this line-up and should be involved.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Caledonia Lady
2. Ponty Acclaim
3. Alejandro

Timeform View: A reproduction of Caledonia Lady's latest effort would make her a tough nut to crack, though Ponty Acclaim was a convincing winner last time and could give Jo Hughes' charge plenty to think about. Alejandro can't be ruled out either.

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John Lightbody looked a useful prospect when beating Iceni Girl on debut at Sandown and is worth backing to get back on track in the minor event over a mile at Ayr (14:50). John Lightbody was upped in class for his second start, in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket, but he never looked comfortable against better company and on firmer ground than at Sandown. However, the fact that trainer Mark Johnston thought him good enough to be pitched into a Group 2 is more than significant and he can bounce back here with his sights considerably lowered.

Bu Naaji is another who has looked promising, showing himself to be most progressive when winning his last two starts and giving the impression that he still had something in reserve when winning a Salisbury nursery in August. The winning margin was only a neck, but the Roger Varian-trained colt looked as though he was idling and, and as a result, he races off just a 3 lb higher mark in the 15:40 at Yarmouth today - he can complete the hat-trick.

The 16:00 at Pontefract appears to be quite a competitive fillies' sprint handicap. However, Misplaced Fortune, has dropped to a workable mark and won't need to take much of a step forward from her latest run at Haydock to win. Though not as consistent as last year, she is now well treated on the form she was showing last September, when finishing third in the Ayr Silver Cup, and there were signs in that Haydock run that she's on the way back to her best.

Recommendations
Back John Lightbody @ 4.6 Ayr 14:50
Back Bu Naaji @ 3.05 Yarmouth 15:40
Back Misplaced Fortune @ 6.0 Pontefract 16:00

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Woolfall Treasure hasn't always been one for maximum faith, but doing little wrong at present, good efforts to be placed at Ascot and Salisbury in recent weeks, and not out of this if in similar mood.

Zuider Zee has been knocking on the door this season, and found bit more improvement when third in Old Borough Cup at Haydock last time. Got to be high on the shortlist.

Bay Willow is a front runner who scored at Meydan (11f) in February. No impact in 3 runs back on these shores this summer, although wide draw some excuse for poor showing at York last time.

Bowdler's Magic was twice successful at up to 1¾m in 2010. Down to last winning mark now and clearly signs he's ready to take advantage when close third at Chester last week, running on well from rear.

Huff And Puff returned from absence to land 5-runner handicap at Bath (1¼m) in April. Back to form in cheekpieces of late, and proved stamina for this trip when second at Haydock last time. Now tried in a visor.

Rockfella took advantage of reduced mark to score at Folkestone (1½m) in April, and back on the mark over 13f at Newbury last time, making all and holding on gamely. Up in the weights, but respected.

Hayzoom won maiden at Chepstow in 2010, and kept form well afterwards. Shaped well over inadequate trip on return, but again got going too late over 1¾m last time, and may need even further to excel.

Thubiaan didn't need to replicate his runner-up effort at Haydock in June to go one better at Pontefract following month. Bit disappointing in hot 1¾m handicap at York last time, but not written off.

A Boy Named Suzi was off the mark on second start for current yard when landing Wolverhampton maiden in June, and run well on all 3 handicap starts, winning 1½m event at Kempton last time. More needed to defy new mark.

Timeform 1-2-3
1. Zuider Zee
2. Bowdler's Magic
3. Thubiaan

Timeform's View: Hard to rule out any but Zuider Zee is taken to gain reward for a series of good efforts in defeat. Bowdler's Magic is back to his last winning mark and is feared after an encouraging effort last time, while Thubiaan is better than he showed at York.

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Ted Dolly is sure to be popular in the seven furlong handicap at 14:30, off the same mark as when touched off at the Curragh last weekend, whilst Toufan Express shaped well earlier on that card too, but Princess Severus is the one who makes most appeal at the prices. She made an encouraging start for Jessie Harrington when fourth at Galway in July, before shaping as if well treated for a long way when filling the same spot at Tipperary, sent on two furlongs out before weakening. She drops back in trip here and, as a prominently-ridden sort on a speed-favouring track, she may well be suited by the run of things.

Tavern Times (15:35) was one of the top bumper performers in 2009/10, fourth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham despite meeting trouble, and is all set to deliver on that promise over hurdles after wins at Gowran in June and Galway in July. That last success marked Tavern Times down as a graded-class novice in the making and he's still totally unexposed at two and a half miles, so he should have the measure of Bullock Harbour and Rattan off level weights.

Jigalo (16:45) may not be one to place maximum faith in given his tendency to find little when the chips are down, but he is a strong-travelling sort and looks the pick of the weights in a run-of-the-mill handicap, so should be a sound back-to-lay proposition. He ran with credit off marks in the mid 120's last term, third at Down Royal and Leopardstown, and posted his most encouraging race of this season when taking the same position in a minor event at Ballinrobe last time.

Recommendations
Back Princess Severus in the 14:30
Back Tavern Times in the 15:35
Back to lay Jigalo in the 16:45

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Principal Role has won a couple of listed races over a mile and a quarter and seemed to improve when third to Midday in the Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. She didn't find much when well below that form at Windsor last time, but warrants respect here.

Captivator has responded well to the fitting of a good this year, following up her win in an all-weather maiden with a brace of handicap successes at Doncaster and Folkestone. She needs to take another leap forward to make her mark at this level.

Celestial Girl's best form has come on switchback tracks and she was better than ever when winning at Brighton and Epsom last month. She hasn't always looked the most straightforward though, and this is probably beyond her capabilities.

Fashionable Gal has thrived since joining Neil King, winning three times over a mile and a quarter at Lingfield and also showing fairly useful form over hurdles. This looks a step too far, however.

Modeyra won her first two starts, the second of them at this level at Newmarket in October 2010. She ran well on her reappearance this time round when second to Theyskens' Theory at Sandown and that form makes her the one to beat with further improvement a distinct possibility.

Nouriya progressed well in 2010, gaining the last of her three wins in this race. She has come up short in pattern company so far this year, but isn't easy to rule out back in this grade against her own sex.

Piano continued to progress when impressively capturing a course-and-distance handicap in May and has run to a similar level in this grade on her last three starts. She needs to pull out a bit more to make the breakthrough, but the yard is in red-hot form.

Skyway was progressive last year and ran well when second in a handicap at Leopardstown on her reappearance. She ran well in a Group 3 at Epsom in June, but was below form on her debut for a new yard last time and faces a stiffish task here.

Date With Destiny made a winning debut at Newbury last summer, but hasn't really built on that and has been put in her place in listed company on her last two starts.

Dffra has shown a modicum of ability in maidens over a mile four months apart, but not enough to be of any interest at this level of competition.

Emma's Gift regained the winning thread in a minor event over a mile at Ascot in April, but that was a falsely-run affair and she's made less impact in five starts since. She is unproven beyond a mile and looks an unlikely winner here.

Tenby Lady was sharply progressive this summer, completing a hat-trick when making all at Sandown in August. She pressed on too soon when behind Celestial Girl last time and is better than that run implies.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1.    Modeyra
2.    Principal Role
3.    Nouriya

Timeform View: Modeyra pushed Theyskens' Theory close at Sandown last time, and can get back to her very best now returned to this trip. Principal Role and last year's winner Nouriya are feared most.

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In the last ten years, horses such as Monty's Pass and Northern Alliance have triumphed in the Kerry National at Listowel, the former going on to win the Grand National at Aintree the following year, showing that this race can be used as a springboard for the bigger staying races throughout the National Hunt season.

As ever, Willie Mullins holds a strong hand. Currently trading as joint-favourite for the event is the seven year-old mare Blazing Tempo, who has been tremendously consistent in her three-year racing career to date and was last seen landing a gamble in the Galway Plate. Coming off her novice chase season, it is likely that we are yet to see the best of Blazing Tempo.

Another fancied runner from the Mullins stable is Uncle Junior. The ten year-old racked up a hat-trick of wins in the spring of this year, visiting the winners' enclosure at Gowran Park, Tramore and Punchestown. His victory at Punchestown came over three miles and six furlongs, so he will have no problems at all with the three miles he faces on Wednesday.

Joining Blazing Tempo at the top of the market is the Charles Byrnes-trained Bideford Legend. Although beaten on his two most recent starts (both over hurdles), his last race over fences back in May resulted in an easy eight-length success over Armaramak at Killarney. Another seven year-old, he probably still has some room for improvement over fences, and his hurdle run back in June showed that he stays three miles.

Adams Island improved from hurdles to fences last season, winning at Doncaster and then chasing home Captain Chris and Balthazar King later on in the year. He has since switched from Rebecca Curtis to the Paul Nolan yard and reportedly has the Irish National as his target. With lofty expectations such as those, he will be one to watch on Wednesday.

The sole British raider is Charlie Longsdon's Minella Boys, who won the Sussex National last year.

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Saeed Bin Suroor was on the mark at the St Leger meeting on Saturday with two winners and the Godolphin trainer has some live chances this afternoon. The one to be on could be Yarmouth runner Mizbah (14.40) who shaped encouragingly in a competitive nursery at Newmarket last time. That was Mizbah's first outing for two months on the back of success in a Folkestone maiden, and, racing over a mile for the first time, he saw things out well. Off a mark just 1 lb higher today he seems sure to go close. Jamie Spencer is in the saddle and has a superb record when donning the royal blue silks for Bin Suroor, having partnered 26 winners from 129 rides in the last ten years.

Upcountry (15.50) looked a sure-fire future winner on his debut at Newmarket last month and can make it second time lucky at Folkestone. Despite not settling and having to be switched wide, Upcountry still managed to get closest to the impressive winner Tanaami, seeing off a number of more experienced rivals in the process. He's open to a fair bit of improvement and shouldn't be inconvenienced by the drop back to seven furlongs.

Before his days playing the banjolele and singing about cleaning windows, George Formby was an apprentice jockey. George failed to ride a winner but once again has a race at Haydock Park named in his honour this afternoon and in it Firebeam (16.00) looks sure to take plenty of beating. Firebeam was most impressive when scoring at York in July and can be forgiven a lesser run dropped back in trip at Ascot in the meantime. This will be just Firebeam's sixth start and the underfoot conditions will be very much in his favour on his return to seven furlongs.

Recommendations
Back Mizbah @ 4.2 Yarmouth 14.40
Back Upcountry @ 2.64 Folkestone 15.50
Back Firebeam @ 2.16 Haydock Park 16.00

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