TimeformBlog

Richard Hannon's Producer (14:10, Epsom) shaped well on his racecourse debut in what has subsequently proved a hot maiden at Newbury. Three next time out winners have since emerged from that race, Producer included, with our selection winning over today's course and distance. Epsom can prove a tricky course to handle, especially for juveniles, but he stuck to the task well and asserted inside the closing stages to win by an impressive four lengths. Producer makes his nursery debut this afternoon and looks on a very fair mark, particularly as he is open to further improvement.

Miracle Play is a handicapper to be on the right side of for now and can get back to winning ways in a modest contest at Epsom this afternoon (16:55). This lightly-raced, David Evans trained three-year-old won on handicap debut just two starts ago, admittedly getting first run on the field but nevertheless holding off a late challenge from Ride The Wind to go on to score by a short head. Her one and only subsequent start resulted in an unlucky third when meeting trouble in-running and losing momentum at a crucial stage. She carried a 6 lb penalty on that occasion but now races off a 2 lb lower mark and is definitely one going in the right direction.

The well-bred Ampleforth can round off our day by breaking his maiden at the second time of asking in what admittedly looks an open race at Southwell (17:40) this evening. He was quite well backed when third of twelve at this track on debut and should improve for that outing given the way he was getting the hang of things late having shown greenness early on. That, combined with the extra furlong today should bring about sufficient improvement for Ampleforth to go close.

Recommendations
Back Producer @ 2.54 in the 14:10 at Epsom
Back Miracle Play @ 4.0 in the 16:50 at Epsom
Back Ampleforth @ 5.3 in the 17:40 at Southwell

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Pleasant Day opened his account for Richard Fahey in a nine-furlong handicap here in June. He had excuses in more competitive races on his next two starts but his latest effort is harder to forgive.

Classic Colori has gone winless since taking a seven-furlong listed race on the all-weather at Lingfield in the spring, his mark tumbling in the process. A change of yard might well perk him up though and the market should prove informative.

Fastnet Storm is a front runner who deservedly got his head back in front over the extended mile and Wolverhampton in October. He wasn't far off his peak on his third run for this yard when second over course and distance last month, but was disappointing last time.

Mirrored took advantage of the handicapper's mercy when scoring over a mile and a quarter at Doncaster on his reappearance back in April. He has often shaped better than the bare result since and can't be ruled out off a good mark if handling the ground.

Ginger Jack gradually climbed the ranks in handicaps last year, winning four times for Mark Johnston. He is yet to reach peak form for this stable, but his latest run at Beverley was more encouraging and he should stay this far.

Destiny Blue hasn't always looked straightforward but did nothing wrong when winning a handicap at Yarmouth in May. He has run creditably a couple of times since, but wasn't at his best last time and others make more appeal.

Kensei took just two runs for his new yard to get back on track, landing a handicap over a mile at Thirsk in May. He was back to form when second over course and distance last time and races off the same mark here.

Rumble of Thunder is a front runner who ended 2010 in decent for for David Arbuthnot. He has done well over hurdles for his new stable, winning at Aintree when last seen in May. He is an interesting contender from a very fair mark.

Ailsa Craig was a revelation for this yard in the summer of 2010, winning three times. She was as good as ever when touched off here in June and was back to winning ways at Beverley earlier in the month. She is respected once more.

Scrapper Smith got back on the up when landing a handicap over a mile on soft ground at Haydock in September. He has the ability to go close off this mark but his tendency to blow the start is a growing concern.

Hidden Glory has slipped to a career-low mark despite scoring on the all-weather in January. He came from well off the pace when in the frame last month and wasn't beaten far at Redcar last time.

Epernay has progressed well this year to win handicap at Carlisle and Windsor and has also run well when second the last twice. She goes with no headgear here though and a wide draw makes life tricky.

King of The Celts made the frame six times in maidens prior to taking advantage of a simple opportunity over a mile and a half at Catterick in June. He showed he can be competitive in handicaps here last time and is respected once more.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1.    Rumble of Thunder
2.    Ginger Jack
3.    Classic Colori

Timeform View: Rumble Of Thunder won over hurdles when last seen in May, isn't on a bad mark on the form he showed on the Flat for David Arbuthnot and is an interesting contender here. He could be worth chancing, with Ginger Jack and Classic Colori both having place claims.

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With a bank holiday traditionally comes rain and indeed there's said to be plenty of it about at Newmarket this morning. Stamina could be at a premium once the action gets underway on the July Course and with newcomers and unexposed maidens all over the shop early on many punters will prefer to get stuck into the handicaps that make up the second half of the card, where, in the penultimate contest for three-year-olds, Tuscania (16.35) is worth a bet. Her best efforts this year have come over course and distance and she looked most unlucky not to score off today's mark two weeks ago, travelling best of all but getting no luck in running and finishing with plenty left in the tank. A good fifth in a soft-ground listed race at Newbury last autumn suggests that Tuscania won't be inconvenienced if the going does continue to ease and she can take what looks a fairly warm handicap.

Ffos Las host a mixed card that features a £22,000 handicap chase in which 2009 Sefton winner Ogee (16.50) can land the spoils. The flag-bearer for Renee Robeson's yard was successful three times in his novice chase campaign off the back of his Aintree triumph and is now 5 lb lower in the weights than when a close third to Chief Dan George in that season's William Hill Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival. Ogee's jumping was sketchy on occasions in what was a light campaign last term, but a repeat of the form he showed when fourth to Always Right in the Grimthorpe back in March would see him bang there after a break today.

Gary Moore looks to hold a strong hand at his local track Brighton's evening meeting and Lightning Spirit (18.15) could be set to gain compensation for a gamble that went astray at Lingfield earlier in the month. On what was Lightning Spirit's handicap debut, she never threatened behind Diamond Run, but the market support for her spoke volumes, and back on turf off a 3 lb lower mark she's worth another chance in what looks a moderate handicap having caught the eye on a number of occasions in maidens.

Recommendations
Back Tuscania @ 5.2 Newmarket 16.35
Back Ogee @ 5.5 Ffos Las 16.50
Back Lightning Spirit @ 5.8 Brighton 18.15

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Uphold has won twice at up to a mile and a half this season and was a good second over a mile at Lingfield on his penultimate start. He wasn't at his best when unable to dominate last time and could find this too tough.

Line of Duty took another step forward when winning a big-field mile-and-a-half handicap in May and has since run well in defeat when third at Ayr. He will face competition for the lead here, but still doesn't have many miles on the clock.

Easy Terms has been a revelation for her thriving stable, completing at four-timer under this rider in the Cumberland Plate when last seen two months ago. She has been given a break and there's a chance she'll have more to offer with conditions to suit.

Butler struck at just the second time of asking for Luca Cumani when swooping late over a mile and a quarter at Ripon in May, and has shaped better than the bare result on all three starts since. The trip is fine and a bold bid is expected.

Lady Chaparral finally got her act together in handicaps when scoring comfortably over 11.5 furlong at Carlisle last month. She pulled hard and struggled off an 8 lb mark at York last time, and this isn't much easier.

Becausewecan bounced back to his best when winning a 13-furlong handicap here in May. He is back down to the same mark now and offered a bit more encouragement at Newmarket last time. He is one of several potential front runners.

Hong Kong Island has held his form well since winning twice at up to a mile and a half at Pontefract in the spring. He doesn't look to have much if anything in hand off his current mark as a result, but should give his running.

Gogeo is a lightly-raced four-year-old who got off the mark on his second Flat start when scoring in impressive style over a mile and a half at Doncaster in April. He caught the eye at Pontefract on his penultimate outing before being a beaten favourite at Newbury last time, and is one of the more interesting contenders.

Bothy won a mile maiden when trained by Ralph Beckett in 2009 and has form up to a mile-and-a-half on the Flat. He often ran well in defeat in some of the hottest handicap hurdles of last jumps season and is of plenty of interest on his return to the level, though has been off since April.

Royal Trooper is a strong traveller who posted a fifth career win over a mile and a half at Doncaster last month, but his more recent efforts strongly suggest his current mark is beyond him.

Shernando has continued his improvement in handicaps this year, coming out on top in a three-way finish at Chester last month. He is just 2 lb higher here and it wouldn't be the biggest shock to see further progress.

Euston Square hit new heights when scoring on his first try beyond nine furlongs at Ripon last month. He is 5 lb higher here and takes a step into the unknown as regards stamina.

Antigua Sunrise is a reliable mare who added a further two wins to her record last season. She found only the thriving Tenby Lady too good at York last time and should give another good account with conditions fine.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1.    Butler
2.    Bothy
3.    Easy Terms

Timeform View: A wide-open handicap that can go to the unexposed Butler. The dangers are plentiful, with improved-hurdler Bothy of major interest, along with the thriving Easy Terms, Shernando and Antigua Sunrise.

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14:00 - Jovial's finishing effort wasn't up to much when second in an 11-furlong handicap at this track earlier in the month, but that's not a huge concern for placepot purposes and a similar standard of form today will more than likely see him placed. The other one worth including is Miss Blink. She's generally been going the right way this year, wasn't totally disgraced in a better race than this last time and has Fallon on for the first time.

14:30 - Not a bad race for a 0-75 and a few of the runners have some eyecatching pieces of form, none more so than Silken Thoughts, who pulled clear with two upwardly-mobile sorts in a much tougher race than this at Newbury last time. A simple reproduction of that form might even be enough to win this. There's a bit of drizzle forecast for Lingfield this morning, which should be to the advantage of Persian Herald. He hasn't been at his best the last twice, but his second to Pandorica at Goodwood in June is good form and first-time blinkers and the assistance of George Baker give some hope that he might bounce back today.

15:00 - As unlikely a scenario as it may be, getting Avon River beaten is probably the difference between a placepot that pays £15 and one that pays £500. The modestly-bred Midnight Tiger makes absolutely no appeal on his debut, but it's just about possible to construct a case for the two remaining runners so take Avon River, Royal Opera and Yellow Printer and keep your fingers crossed for a result.

15:30 - Correct didn't make the improvement that might have been hoped for when seventh on her nursery debut at Newmarket last month, but the run is to some extent excusable given that she didn't seem to distribute her energy all that efficiently, being rushed up to help dispute a strong pace after missing the break. She's well worth another chance and, in a bid to keep lines down, might be worth chancing as a banker.

16:00 - Jeremy Noseda's newcomer Integrity is floating around the 2.0 mark at the time of writing, which perhaps represents as much a perceived lack of depth in the race as it does confidence behind his chance. Nevertheless, he's worth putting in along with Confucius Elite, who showed ability in a miles better race than this at Ascot last month.

16:30 - The obvious thing to do in the last leg is bank on either Zain Point or Princess of Orange. Both look likely to improve, but the latter is probably open to a bit more progress after just one start (when catching the eye at Windsor), so she gets the nod.

Selections: 24 lines
14:00 - 1, 4
14:30 - 2, 10
15:00 - 1, 3, 4
15:30 - 2
16:00 - 1, 3
16:30 - 10

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Our first bet of the day is the William Haggas-trained Dark Ambition in the nursery at Lingfield (15:30). He was very green when well held in three quick runs in maidens last month, but shaped well on his nursery debut at Salisbury last time. Making the running that day, he kept on well to finish a close fourth to Bu Naaji. The form of that run sets the standard in what looks an ordinary contest and Dark Ambition should be able to open his account this afternoon.

Next we're off to Carlisle where Abidhabidubai has a good chance of making it two wins on the bounce in the claimer (15:40). Although a consistent sort, it would be fair to say that the John Quinn-trained filly has proved a tad frustrating with string of placed efforts prior to landing a claimer at Redcar last time. She battled on better than has often been the case that day and given that consistency counts for a lot at this level, she looks sure to go close today.

Last but by no means least, we come to Sheila's Buddy who drops down to claiming company for the first time at Wolverhampton (18:10) this evening. He holds strong claims in this grade based on his efforts when runner-up three times in maiden company and with the step up to a mile sure to suit, he should finally get his head in front this evening.

Recommendations
Back Dark Ambition @ 4.2 15:30 Lingfield
Back Abidhabidubai @ 1.81 15:40 Carlisle
Back Sheila's Buddy @ 4.4 15:35 Wolverhampton

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West With The Wind progressed extremely well over fences last summer, completing a hat-trick of C&D wins off a 5 lb lower mark. Jumping failed the test in the Arkle, but proved well-being on Flat in recent weeks.

Echo Bob is a consistent hurdler/chaser who arrives here at the top of his game following 2 excellent efforts from front in Irish minor events over fences this summer. Makes British debut from a fair mark.

Grand Lahou improved for Tim Vaughan last season, landing brace of handicap chases at up to 19f. Form has been decidedly patchy, though, and faces plenty of competition for the lead despite small field.

Al Qeddaaf has taken well to chasing, jumping fluently on the whole when winning first 2 starts, and only just touched off at Perth last month back at 2m. Figures on a fair mark back in a handicap.

Rio Gael won 4 times over hurdles last season and back on the scoreboard over fences in May. Disgraced himself when refusing to race over hurdles last month, and again let down by attitude last time.

Mibleu is a strong traveller who went through with his effort for a change when winning at Newton Abbot 16 days ago. Plenty of pace here will suit, but no banker to string good runs together.

Piment d'Estruval is a maiden over hurdles but improved since sent chasing by present yard, winning twice in spring and then again at Hereford last week. More required here from out the weights.

Timeform 1-2-3
1. West With The Wind
2. Echo Bob
3. Al Qedaaf

Timeform's View: West With The Wind boasts a very good strike rate over fences and, having proved his well-being on the Flat in recent weeks, looks the one to be with. Irish raider Echo Bob and Al Qeddaaf are potential dangers.

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The nap is hardly bomb-proof, but given the way Washango (16:10) travelled for most of the race at Worcester last time she has to be worth giving the benefit of the doubt back in trip at the track this afternoon. Lightly raced over fences, Washango has fallen a long way in the weights and should prove well suited by today's shorter trip having been caught out late in the day over three furlongs further last month. Washango had shaped much the best of all up to that point and it's unlikely to be long before she's returning to winning ways for Shaun Lycett.

Jim Goldie has a couple of runners at Catterick that look sure to be thereabouts. If you had to back just one, though, you'd have to side with North Central (16:20) in the six-furlong handicap following his fine second from an unfavourable draw over course and distance last time. North Central's revised mark of 67 could put a few off, but the four-year-old seems to reserve his best for Catterick, that effort his second excellent run at the track since his course and distance success back in June. From today's pitch nearer the rail, North Central could come in for a more forceful ride and may prove hard to catch.

Charlie Hills has made a bright start since taking over the reins at Faringdon Place and Lucky Legs (20:10) can provide Britain's newest trainer with his first winner at Wolverhampton this evening. The filly has been steadily progressive and opened her account with a narrow defeat of Aerial Acclaim at Windsor earlier in the month. That one ran a blinder behind Red Inca in a handicap at Sandown on Saturday and with that in mind it's not hard to think Lucky Legs can make an impact herself in handicaps off a mark of 78.

Recommendations
Back Washango @ 3.8 Worcester 16:10
Back North Central @ 5.4 Catterick 16:20
Back Lucky Legs @ 3.8 Wolverhampton 20:10

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Roninski has maintained a gradual upward curve this year, going with bags of zest when gaining a third win of the year under this rider over seven furlongs at Redcar recently. The outside stall isn't ideal for of his bid for a follow-up success.

Fast Shot has been much improved when landing three six-furlong handicaps this summer, one at this venue. He ran just as well when a keeping-on second at Leicester last time and has sounds claims again if his stamina holds out over seven furlongs.

Maverik improved when winning a seven-furlong handicap at Newcastle on his reappearance in April. He was back operating at that level when fourth to Fast Shot over six furlongs at Doncaster last month and has more going for him that most back at seven furlongs now.

Maggie Mey is a genuine filly who has run well on most of her starts since resuming winning ways over seven furlongs at Redcar in June, but the handicapper has her just about right at present and she's probably playing for minor honours again.

Breezolini gained her sole success in a five-furlong maiden last year. She matched that form when twice placed earlier in the year, but ran poorly upped to seven furlongs on her return from a break last week and is now tried in cheekpieces.

Iceblast got off the mark with some authority over six furlongs at Thirsk in April. He has run well when placed a couple of times at this track since, but hasn't been in much form of late, and others looks more solid.

Auto Mac improved for the fitting of blinkers when making all in a claimer over the extended seven furlongs at Beverley last month, but his initial mark look stiff enough now going handicapping.

Squires Gate has been operating a notch below his winning juvenile form this term, looking unsuited by a step up to a mile at Haydock earlier in the month, and it's possible that sprinting will remain his forte.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1.    Fast Shot
2.    Maverik
3.    Roninski

Timeform View: Roninski would have been the call from a more favourable draw, but given he's out wide preference is for Fast Shot, who shapes as though seven furlongs will be within his reach and is taken to confirm recent Doncaster placings with Maverik.

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For the first selection today, we are jumping at Sedgefield where the Alan Swinbank-trained Bandanaman makes plenty of appeal in the handicap at hurdle at 15:45. Bandanaman has not been seen over hurdles since landing a novice from Rio Gael at the course 12 months ago. However, he is fit from the Flat (at least respectable efforts when in the frame on his last four outings) and with conditions likely to suit Bandanaman should resume his gradual improvement back over hurdles this afternoon.

For the next two selections, we head to Yarmouth where the Luca Cumani-trained Mundana should go close in the seven-furlong handicap at 18:20. Mundana confirmed the promise of her debut when landing a maiden at Salisbury in June. Although she took a little while to pick up when the pace increased that day, Mundana was well on top at the finish and with further improvement expected, she will prove hard to beat on her handicap debut this evening.

The final selection is Flame of Hestia, who is bidding to bounce back from a disappointing effort at the course last time in the 11-furlong handicap at 19:50. Flame of Hestia didn't seem to handle testing conditions that day, and the promise of her seasonal return here, when a close second to Franciscan, should not be forgotten. That form has worked out well (winner and fourth won next time) and with firmer conditions and extra distance in her favour this evening, Flame of Hestia looks well worth another chance to confirm the promise of her reappearance.

Recommendations:
Back Bandanaman @ 3.5 Sedgefield 15:45
Back Mundana @ 2.2 Yarmouth 18:20
Back Flame of Hestia @ 3.05 Yarmouth 19:50

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