TimeformBlog

Field of Dream bet Red Jazz in a seven-furlong listed race at Newmarket in the spring of 2010, and ran creditably in pattern company on his first two starts this season. He has been out of his depth the last twice, but this is easier.

Rodrigo de Torres won a seven-furlong minor event at Doncaster for Sir Henry Cecil in 2010, but hasn't been at his best for a while. He showed a bit more in a similar race at Warwick last time, but is held by Al Aasifh on that running.

Firebeam readily won a Lingfield maiden in June and made a mockery of his opening mark when scoring in a seven-furlong handicap at York in July. He was unable to dominate in the Shergar Cup Sprint last time and the return to seven furlongs will suit.

Fugnina is a half-sister to the smart miler Fanunalter. She has won twice in minor company in Italy this year, but has been set a stiff task on her debut for Marco Botti.

Al Aasifh showed useful form as a two-year-old, and wasn't discredited when second to Prime Defender over six furlongs at Doncaster on his reappearance in July. He was rather laboured when third on his first try at seven furlongs last time and others look stronger.

Cape To Rio found only Elzaam too good in a six-furlong listed race at Newbury in May, but has been rather in and out since, and was well beaten in the Stewards' Cup last time. The trip shouldn't be a problem, but he needs to step up to take this.

Nially Noo has a good sprint pedigree, but was resold at a loss at the breeze-ups and stopped very quickly when last in an ordinary seven-furlong maiden at Kempton last month.

Toolain won twice over seven furlongs as a two-year-old. He got back on track with decent efforts in competitive handicaps in May, and was a bit better than the bare result last time. He has since been gelded, and merits respect.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1.    Firebeam
2.    Toolain
3.    Field of Dream

Timeform View: The recently-gelded Toolain is the strict form pick, but Firebeam may be the one with the most potential, and can get back on track returned to seven furlongs. Field of Dream will find this easier than recent assignments, and isn't out of things.

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Wadha (14:40, Kempton) did well on debut last time out in a Warwick maiden, travelling best of all and leading entering the final furlong, only to be picked off in the closing stages by one with slightly more experience. Wadha is a relatively well-bred half sister to two-year-old winner Cash Queen Anna, and she is also related to several useful performers who have won over this kind of distance so it shouldn't be too long before she records a victory of her own. She is open to improvement and if taking to the Kempton polytrack, she should definitely be capable of losing her maiden tag this afternoon.

Annie Walker looks best treated at the weights and can record back-to-back victories in selling company this afternoon at Musselburgh (14:50). She has had just the two careers starts to date but showed plenty of promise last time to win a similar contest by seven lengths and she comes here open to further progression. Despite the wide margin victory on that occasion, Annie Walker is by no means the finished article and she should go close if able to reproduce the same level of form demonstrated last time.

The run-in at Brighton is about three and a half furlongs, with a marked camber towards the inside of the track and the pronounced gradients make it a particularly unsuitable track for long striding galloping types, and course form is very significant. Olney Lass is two from two at this unique venue and she goes again this afternoon in what looks a competitive enough handicap (16:00, Brighton), but the manner of her victory last time out is enough to suggest she will merit some interest once again. She has progressed from three to four and is definitely going in the right direction this season, with her only disappointment in four runs coming at Sandown. She was arguably given too much to do on that occasion, however, and with conditions in her favour this afternoon, she should run well enough to go very close.

Recommendations
Back Wadha @ 1.74 in the 14:40 at Kempton
Back Annie Walker @ 2.5 in the 14:50 at Musselburgh
Back Olney Lass @ 3.8 in the 16:00 at Brighton

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Remotelinx is a hold-up handicapper who landed a five-furlong maiden on turf at Lingfield in 2010 and has posted some sound efforts in handicaps since, though his latest runs have been somewhat disappointing.

Majestic Dream usually comes from off the pace and scored twice in 2010. He has been well held the last twice but his in-frame efforts from earlier n the season give him every chance off this mark.

Munaaseb destroyed his rivals with a sharp turn of foot in a six-furlong maiden on the all-weather at Lingfield in April and has had excuses for defeats at this track on both starts since. He is still unexposed and should appreciate this step up to seven furlongs.

May's Boy won three times over seven furlongs on the all-weather during the winter and quickened well when landing a handicap over the same trip at Sandown in June. He has been below form since, though, and his current all-weather mark looks stiff.

Escape To Glory improved when landing a gamble in good style on his handicap debut at Lingfield in July, and has run respectably on both his starts since. He has solid place claims in first-time blinkers.

Little Black Book has largely held his form well in handicap since winning a maiden at Southwell in April, and was better than ever when second to Trumpington Street over a mile here last time. The drop to seven furlongs shouldn't be a problem.

Chevise is tactically versatile and has a good strike rate (six from ten) on the all-weather. She misfired at Lingfield last time but her previous effort when third over this course and distance was creditable.

The Guru of Gloom won a maiden at Beverley in June and added to his tally in a seven-furlong handicap at Lingfield last month. He raced freely when fifth of nine over course and distance just over a week ago and should be involved if settling better.

Birdolini won a maiden at Lingfield last December and hasn't done much wrong in three handicaps on turf since, running particularly well when third to Thistle Bird at Windsor last time.

Celestyna duly improved for a step up to seven furlongs when readily landing an ordinary maiden at Folkestone in July. She raced too freely when disappointing on her handicap debut at Yarmouth last time.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1.    Munaaseb
2.    Little Black Book
3.    The Guru of Gloom

Timeform View: Munaaseb, so impressive at Lingfield in April, is better than he has been able to show in two subsequent outings and can resume winning ways here. Little Black Book and The Guru of Gloom may offer most resistance.

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William Muir's Cruiser has kept some good company in this year and has generally performed with credit, including when sixth in the Britannia at Royal Ascot. Perhaps his most eye-catching piece of form is a close second to Directorship in another handicap at Ascot in July. Cruiser was arguably a bit unlucky that day in that he was forced to wait for a gap, but even if he was beaten on merit it's a strong piece of form (the winner went in in a big field at Newbury next time) which gives him excellent claims off the same mark at Sandown (15:55). Cruiser has run just respectably on his last two starts, but has excuses in that the trip wasn't suitable on either occasion and, returned to what looks his optimum distance this afternoon, he should go close.

One of the more interesting ones in the ten-furlong handicap later at Sandown (16:30) is Spirit of Gondree, who is unexposed and shaped quite well before a possible lack of fitness told in a course-and-distance event on his belated reappearance last month. However, there is another horse in the field with outstanding claims from a handicapping point of view, and that is Icebuster, who has two rock-solid placed efforts to his name on his two most recent starts. The first of those came at Salisbury when he was third behind an upwardly-mobile Godolphin horse and last weekend's Ascot winner Electra Star in a race that produced a very good timefigure. He then went to Ripon where he pulled 10 lengths clear of the third in finishing second, having rather conceded first run, to Sangar. He is due to go up 5 lb for that, but can race off the same mark today and should take a bit of beating if in the same form.

Up at Chester, the three-year-old handicap at 16:50 looks a reasonably competitive race, but there's one that stands out more than the others in the twice-raced William Haggas-trained colt Gobooll. He only made his debut in June, when shaping extremely well amid greenness at Newmarket, and duly stepped up to land a mile-and-quarter maiden at Kempton last month, recording a good time and with a subsequent handicap winner in behind. His opening mark actually looks pretty fair even on that bare form and with improvement likely he looks well worth backing, particularly against a favourite in Midsummer Sun who is seemingly priced up more on reputation than anything he's actually achieved.

Recommendations
Back Cruiser @ 7.4 Sandown 15:55
Back Icebuster @ 4.0 Sandown 16:30
Back Gobooll @ 4.3 Chester 16:55

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13:25 - My Propeller is all about speed, as was proved in her first crack at five furlongs last time when having something to spare in a listed race at York, and the impression is that we haven't seen the best of her yet, so she is an obvious starting point. Angels Will Fall pulled too hard at York last time, but she is better than she showed that day and excited on her first two starts, so is worth another chance.

13:55 - Theology developed into a smart stayer last year, finishing second in a Group 3 at Ascot. He was back to more like his best at Chester last time, and a repeat of that form should see him in the mix here. Dual course-and-distance winner Hawk Mountain is highly consistent and is unlikely to be far away, either.

14:25 - Opinion Poll has the beating of several of these after his successes at Goodwood and York, and the longer trip is no problem. Though beaten in the aforementioned races, Bergo still ran with credit and will be suited by the extra two furlongs here. Whilst he's unlikely to gain revenge on Opinion Poll, it would be no surprise to see Bergo run into a place.

15:00 - John Gosden often aims his best filly at this race, and Fallen For You could not have been more impressive when making a winning debut despite showing signs of greenness. Sure to improve for that experience, she should make sure that the standard-setter Regal Realm doesn't have it all her own way.

15:35 - Despite obvious signs of inexperience on debut, Ektihaam put distance between himself and the rest to win at Newbury, beating a field containing three subsequent winners. He looked destined for better things there and is the one to beat in this field, so goes in as a banker.

16:10 - The final leg of our placepot is a tricky sprint, requiring three selections to see us home. It's always dangerous to leave out a sprinter in form, so Below Zero is selected to defy the penalty he picks up as a result of his Irish exploits. Kanaf has been unlucky in his two most recent runs and, given a clear passage, he has the ability to run into the places. Fathsta faces a slightly longer trip here than when finishing quickly at York last time, which will be to his advantage, and, successful off a mark of 102 back in April, he is handicapped to go close today.

Selections
13:25 - 4, 8
13:55 - 1, 8
14:25 - 2, 3
15:00 - 2, 5
15:35 - 1
16:10 - 1, 2, 11
=48 lines

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Blue Bajan has got right back to his best for David O'Meara this year, winning the Henry II Stakes at Sandown in May. He was a close third to Opinion Poll in the Goodwood Cup but was well held behind that rival at York last time and looks opposable now.

Opinion Poll is a likeable stayer who rarely runs a bad race and has been better than ever when winning the Goodwood Cup and the Lonsdale Cup on his last two starts. The longer trip will be fine for him and he's likely to prove a tough nut to crack again.

Bergo looked all stamina when winning the 2010 Queen Alexandra Stakes and has run with credit behind Opinion Poll at Goodwood and York. He's unlikely to gain his revenge here, but has place claims with the longer trip sure to suit.

Tactician is a lightly-raced gelding who is still progressing on recent evidence, his front-running second to Moyenne Corniche in the Ebor last month a career-best effort. He needs to pull out more at this level, but can't be dismissed.

Tastahil is a smart performer who won the Jockey Club Cup and Newmarket on his final start in 2010 and was as good as ever when second in the Chester Cup on his reappearance. He has shaped as if amiss on both his starts since, however.

Dayia is a capable stayer who was a solid fourth in the Queen Alexandra on her reappearance but failed to beat a rival on her latest outing and has plenty on her plate even if returning to her best.

Motrice progressed well in 2010, winning three handicaps in a row before finishing third in this race. She was right back to her best when a clear-cut winner of a listed race at Goodwood last time and is one to consider again.

Saddler's Rock has gone from strength to strength in his short career to date and was an excellent third in a mile-and-a-quarter listed race at the Curragh last time. He needs to progress again at this level, but should have more to offer.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Opinion Poll
2. Motrice
3. Saddler's Rock

Timeform View: Opinion Poll had several of these in behind at both Goodwood and York and is likely to go very well in his hat-trick bid. His biggest dangers are the upwardly-mobile pair Motrice and Saddler's Rock.

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The Park Hill Stakes is the feature on day two of Doncaster's St Leger meeting and Michael Bell's Set to Music (15:00) has a good chance of landing the Group 2 contest. Owned by the Queen, the three year-old has proven to be an extremely progressive filly this year, landing four races on the bounce including a listed event at York last time when stepped up to a mile and a half. She shapes as though the extra two furlongs she faces today could bring about even more improvement in a race that may play into her hands, with several of her opposition likely to press on and she can prove too strong for Meeznah and Sense of Purpose.

Also at Doncaster, Sharaayeen could notch a fifth winner for trainer Charles Hills in the 16:40, having recently taken over from his father Barry. Sharaayeen has been fairly luckless this year, having been out of position in a slowly run race at Newbury, badly hampered at Goodwood and then drawn wide and again out of position at York on his latest start. He has dropped back down to the mark from which he finished second in May and is surely worth another go in a race that is less demanding than he has faced of late.

Two Turtle Doves goes in the 17:25 at Chepstow, looking for a second course-and-distance success in a row after triumphing just over a week ago. Colourbearer, second that day and a winner since, reopposes in what could be an interesting contest between the two, but Two Turtle Doves gets the verdict today, in receipt of more weight from his rival than last time given that one picked up a penalty for his Southwell success.

Recommendations
Back Set to Music @ 3.6 Doncaster 15:00
Back Sharayeen @ 6.2 Doncaster 16:40
Back Two Turtle Doves @ 4.1 Chepstow 17:25

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Cracking Lass showed a good attitude when making a winning reappearance over a mile and a half here in April. She was back to form in first-time blinkers when second to Set To Music in the Galtres at York last month, but faces a stiff enough task against some of these, particularly with stamina a worry.

Meeznah is a smart filly who belatedly added to her maiden win when landing the Lillie Langtry at Glorious Goodwood in July. That run sets the standard here, but she shaped sa if amiss when last seen at Newbury last month.

Polly's Mark won a mile-and-a-half listed races at Ascot in 2010. She's yet to hit top form this year, but has been running respectably all the same and her general reliability is to be admired. She was allowed to dictate when third in the Galtres last time.

Sense of Purpose landed the odds at Killarney in May and is starting to make up into a useful filly, her latest Group 3 win at Leopardstown coming in game fashion. She is proved at this trip and is likely to give it a good go in the front.

Goldplated has been much improved of late, winning four of her last five starts, including well-contested handicap at Leopardstown on Saturday. She is clearly at the top of her game but is probably flying too high here.

Set To Music is a progressive filly who completed a four-timer when beating several of these in the Galtres at York last month. The longer trip is unlikely to be a problem and she's a leading player.

Spin landed a maiden at the Curragh on her second two-year-old start but has had her limitations since, including Set To Music at York last month.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1.    Set To Music
2.    Meeznah
3.    Sense of Purpose

Timeform View: Several like to press on and that could play into the hands of Set To Music, who was a revelation at York last time and shapes as though there will be even more to come at this trip. Meeznah and Sense of Purpose look best of the rest.

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On the first day of the St Leger meeting it looks significant that Paul Hanagan heads to Carlisle. The Champion Jockey, who starts the day thirteen winners clear of his nearest pursuer Kieren Fallon in this year's title race, has a solid book of rides and could strike early with Summer Lane (14.10) who is making the switch to nurseries. The filly has shaped with promise on all three of her runs in maidens and an opening mark of 57 could prove very lenient. Conditions are set to be on the soft side at Carlisle, which bodes well for Summer Lane given she's a half-sister to the useful pair of Baycat and Coolminx, both mud lovers.

Alaskan Bullet (14.35) can maintain his unbeaten record in receipt of a weight allowance in the six-furlong conditions event at Doncaster. The son of Kodiac, who is building up a fair record as a sire of classy and precocious two-year-olds, was most impressive when justifying market support on his debut at Yarmouth last month. That form looks solid, with the fourth home Mr Spiggott having edged out a couple of rivals rated in the 80s at Newcastle on Monday. Alaskan Bullet's trainer Michael Bell reports that the colt has done well at home since that victory and open to improvement, he seems sure to be thereabouts.

Sir Mark Prescott continues to fire in the winners and Waltzing Cat (20.50) can give the yard yet more success at Kempton tonight. The filly made an encouraging return from ten months off when third over a mile and a quarter at the track last week, taking a while to hit full stride but keeping on well at the finish and leaving the impression she'll soon be leaving behind a mark of 63. The extra furlong this evening will suit Waltzing Cat who is surely capable of better.

Recommendations
Back Summer Lane @ 7.2 Carlisle 14.10
Back Alaskan Bullet @ 3.3 Doncaster 14.35
Back Waltzing Cat @ 4.0 Kempton 20.50

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Captain Dunne is a speedball who produced a career best when landing Epsom 'Dash' in cheekpieces in June. Not disgraced either start since, but only fourth in this race last year and this no less competitive.

Group Therapy improved for Jeremy Noseda in 2010 (third in this race). Largely creditable efforts without hitting the same heights for current yard this year, but not ruled out if back on song.

Humidor posted a career-best effort when landing a 5f Goodwood handicap in a tongue strap in April. Run respectably in Group company last twice, but likely to come up short again. Engaged 4.00 Leicester Tuesday.

Medicean Man was in the form of his life when picking up a couple of Ascot sprint handicaps in the summer. Further progress when narrowly missing out back there last month and well worth his place in this line-up.

Dinkum Diamond deservedly got back on the scoreboard at Newmarket (5f) in July. Good third sandwiched between Duchess Dora and Captain Dunne at Beverley recently and likely to give it another good shot.

Stone of Folca faced a simple task when breaking his duck at Folkestone in April. Well held in better company since, and didn't do enough in handicap last time to be of interest here. Engaged 4.00 Leicester Tuesday.

Anne of Kiev is a hold-up sprinter who improved on AW over winter. Continued good work on turf, winning listed race at Haydock in May, but not at best of late and career-best effort required to land this.

Breathless Kiss scaled new heights when capturing a 5f Beverley handicap in April. Struggled to figure facing stiffer tasks since, though, and this hardly any easier.

Duchess Dora is a speedy sort who has thrived this year, winning a couple of handicaps in the summer. Every bit as good when in front of Dinkum Diamond and Captain Dunne at Beverley recently and respected again.

Aneedah is a 1m winner who has found her niche as a sprinter with 2 fine runner-up efforts over 6f this term, latest at Newmarket in June, but this demands more on first crack at the minimum trip.

Shoshoni Wind is a speedy filly who added to her winning tally in a 5f Chester handicap in July. Solid effort when just behind Medicean Man and Duchess Dora at Ascot last month and another with claims.

Bear Behind was comfortably off the mark in a 5f Nottingham maiden in June. Back on the up when runner-up in a French listed race last month, but no easy task taking on older rivals this time.

Timeform 1-2-3
1. Medicean Man
2. Duchess Dora
3. Dinkum Diamond

Timeform View: Medicean Man has made giant strides in competitive handicaps this summer, looking a shade unlucky when narrowly denied at Ascot last month, and like many similar types before him in the sprinting division, should make a bold bid to bridge the class gap. Duchess Dora, Dinkum Diamond and Captain Dunne are others that make the shortlist.

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