TimeformBlog

14:10 - The opening sprint maiden doesn't look like a race we should waste lines on and consequently a banker is needed. However, with none of the horses that have run appealing as solid betting propositions and the trainers of those making their debut not renowned for saddling first-time-out winners, it looks tricky. Red Riverman showed signs of temperament when running poorly last time, while Fire In Babylon shaped in keeping with his stout breeding on his debut. Therefore, Chaussini is given the chance to atone for her near miss at Brighton last time.

14:40 - Hopefully the mile minor event for three-year-olds is a bit easier to work out than the opener. The first horse to take is Whitby Jet, who eradicated any fears of being a nearly-horse when slamming his rivals in a handicap at Newcastle last time. What's more, on his previous start he had found only subsequent winner Dysios too good and, to top it off, trainer Ed Vaughan has saddled four winners from his last five runners. I Hate to Lose has shaped as though she has the ability to win races in her short career to date, so she's included as back-up with the step up in trip likely to suit.

15:15 - A potential banana skin is the juvenile seller. Sea Poet tops the Timeform ratings after his modest second to The Dancing Lord in this grade at Goodwood last time, but he looks a prime target to take on. In a very weak race, newcomer Godber may be good enough while Arctic Dancer, who has admittedly been well beaten on both starts in maidens back in Ireland, hasn't looked devoid of ability. It's also doubtful as to whether her trainer would have made the long journey if she wasn't without some chance of winning.

15:50 - There doesn't appear a banker in this small field so we must take two. It's difficult to ignore Ming Meng's performance on her return, when fifth to Lord Aeryn in a handicap at Doncaster, so she has to be included. Sairaam was collared late by Mountrath last time and is certainly capable but the extra 5 lb would be a worry so Clive Brittain's Eshoog is in after showing promise in her three runs so far.

16:25 - Annelko will be popular for the two mile handicap but he didn't appear to be withholding anything from the handicapper when a well-held third at Bath last time and, off the same mark, looks vulnerable. Marcus Antonius was a close fourth in a race that is working out reasonably well last time and his relatively consistent profile indicates we'd be foolish not to include him. With nothing else in the eight-runner field making much appeal, it looks like he's our banker.

17:00 - At what will hopefully be an attractive price, Memory Lane has to be included. Put plainly, she made her reappearance at a time when Sir Mark Prescott's horses were just beginning to find their feet (three of his next five runners won) and the fact that she was weak in the market suggests she may have been testing the water. With that run under her belt, and a three-furlong increase in trip, she should be very hard to beat. Mokalif will be a danger, but if we've got this far, we might as well try and hit the bullseye with a single dart and, with Memory Lane, we give ourselves every chance of hitting the target.

Selections:
14:10    2
14:40    3, 9
15:15    1, 5
15:50    4, 7
16:25    4
17:00    1
= 8 lines

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18:00 - A very tough race to start with, but the angle into it is that there's probably going to be a strong pace, suiting both last-time-out winner North Central and last year's winner of this race Ivestar, who seems to have been lined up for it once more.

18:30 - Now it becomes a bit easier as Sharp Sovereign is as genuine as they come and has shaped as if in form despite sliding in the weights this year. Down to a lesser grade of handicap now, he holds strong claims of making all. Dean Iarracht is another one who's slipped back to a good mark and shaped as if back in form at Newcastle last time.

19:00 - There's no questioning that the five-furlong handicap for three-year-olds is a very bad race, but at least Dotty Darroch stands out as by far the most solid, and she'll be very difficult to keep out of the first two.

19:30 - A particularly weak race is followed by the most competitive on the card. Jobe was an easy winner over course and distance last week but hardly appeals as the ideal type for a placepot. So the more reliable Grissom and Frequency are the ones to have on side.

20:00 - Another banker in the penultimate leg. Belle Noverre is two from two over tonight's course and distance and I fully expect her to make a bold bid to defend her unbeaten record. Fremen and Moody Tunes are solid performers but both like to get on with it, so they might just tee it up for the strong-travelling Irish mare.

20:30 - It's best to keep it simple in the final leg, Abidhabidubai and King Kurt are both improving three-year-olds who won last time out and it's very difficult to see both of them being kept out of the first three.

Selections
18:00 - 1, 2
18:30 - 1, 8
19:00 - 2
19:30 - 3, 8
20:00 - 4
20:30 - 3, 6
= 16 lines

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Udabaa (14:20) can get punters off to a flyer at Haydock Park. The Marcus Tregoning-trained four-year-old is clearly well-regarded, having been sent off favourite on three of his six starts so far, and could be set to make up for lost time judged on his two efforts this year. He's finished placed in two of the hottest handicaps of the season, chasing home smart prospect Modun on his return at Newbury and then the progressive Rock A Doodle Doo and Blissful Moment at Ascot. It looks calmer waters today and if the fitting of cheekpieces can bring about improvement, Udabaa could prove hard to beat.

Kitty Wells (15:20) looked most unlucky not to make a winning return at Haydock Park last month and can gain compensation this afternoon. The sister to the 2001 St Leger hero Milan got no sort of run at a crucial stage and had to settle for second behind Plaisterer, beaten just a length and a half. She's almost certainly got more to offer for Luca Cumani after just five starts and can get back to winning ways here before going on to better things.

Karaka Jack (19:30) is in blinding form and can gain a first success for David Nicholls up at Hamilton this evening. The four-year-old went down by a neck to Dickie Le Davoir at Haydock Park last month, looking the likely winner for much of the final furlong until a late burst from Richard Guest's revitalised sprinter denied him on the line. A 2 lb rise after that still leaves Karaka Jack very well handicapped when you consider he finished second to subsequent listed winner Fallen Idol off a mark of 90 last year for Mark Johnston. He's lightly raced over six furlongs and looks just the type his trainer excels with.

Recommendations
Back Udabaa @ 2.6 Haydock Park 14:20
Back Kitty Wells @ 2.84 Haydock Park 15:20
Back Karaka Jack @ 6.0 Hamilton 19:30

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Action Front hails from a stable whose newcomers invariably need their first run, so his winning debut over a mile and a half at Goodwood last month is all the more impressive. He is a useful prospect in the making.

Antarctic is the first foal of a winning two-year-old and got off the mark at the first attempt at Haydock last month, despite clear signs of greenness. He has the physical scope to do better, especially now tackling a mile and a half.

Baltic Light is a North Light filly who finished runner-up to and odds-on stablemate on her debut at Nottingham and duly went one better over 11 furlongs at this track last time. She is sure to improve again and the extra furlong will suit.

El Mansour has improved as he has been stepped up in trip and there's nothing wrong with his attitude for all he's still a maiden. He meets some promising sorts here, though.

Western Prize has plenty of stamina in his pedigree, so there was a lot to like about the way he got the job done on debut in a mile maiden at Lingfield in January. He hasn't been seen since, but is sure to improve now his stamina is drawn out.

Malanos has been placed on two of his five starts in turf maidens up to a mile and a quarter and will appreciate this step up in trip, but looks up against it switched to handicaps against some useful prospects.

Area Fifty One stepped up considerably on his debut run in December when making all in an 11-furlong maiden here the following month. He has since left John Gosden for 27,000 gns.

Ruby Brook justified support when fending off two experienced rivals on his debut at Lingfield in January. He has a similar profile to his stablemate Western Prize in that he's not been seen since and is bred for this sort of trip.

Montegonian has progressed with three quick runs in maidens over a mile, the latest two at this venue. A fully-fledged jockey takes over for this handicap debut and he's bred to be suited by this trip.

Tijori improved to land a maiden over the extended mile at Wolverhampton in January and picked up a handicap at Lingfield the following month. His progress has rather stalled since and he looks up against it now tackling a mile and a half.

Samarkand shaped with promise in three all-weather maidens at the end of 2010. He's very much the type to come into his own in middle-distance handicaps and will strip fitter for last month's reappearance.

Dipolmasi has improved this year, opening his account in an 11-furlong handicap here in April. He went up 4 lb as a result so needs to progress again.

Gower Rules is a front runner who finally got off the mark in an 11-furlong handicap here in April. He has finished runner-up twice since, but is fully exposed and out of the weights too.

Blue Cossack developed a consistent profile on the all-weather this winter, gaining the first of his two victories here. He ran creditably over C&D when last seen in March, but meets a different calibre of opposition here.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1.    Antarctic
2.    Action Front
3.    Western Front

Timeform View: As good a race of its type as could be imagined, four of the runners protecting unbeaten records. While it's very hard to separate them, represents last year's winning trainer and gets the nod over Action Front and Western Prize.

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14.00 - All of these have experience in this opening maiden, but none of them have shown enough in form terms to make them banker material and we'll need a couple to make it through. Ingleby Angel is the first selection, open to improvement after his second at Southwell last month, but fibresand promise isn't always confirmed on turf, so we also include Lexi's Prince, who won't need to find much for the application of a visor in order to figure.

14.30 - Atyaab should be capable of winning this maiden on the best of her form for Dermot Weld, but her attitude became an issue during the second half of 2010 and she has something to prove starting out for Alan Swinbank. Therefore, it makes sense to also include Let's Face Facts, who finished off well on her reappearance, and a similar step forward can see her involved.

15.00 - We'll need a couple to make sure in this fifteen-runner contest, but in truth it looks to revolve around Tim Easterby's Ryedale Dancer, who went close on her handicap debut despite greenness and is well up to winning this type of contest. The one who sets the standard on form is Fleurie Lover, so she's also included, despite looking a hard ride last time.

15.35 - The progressive Boom And Bust is a worthy favourite in this contest and looks to have been found a good opportunity to complete the hat-trick. Our second choice, Reel Buddy Star, is not so progressive but is a solid choice at a bigger price. Both of them do, however, race up with the pace and just in case they go a bit too quick we'll throw in Kiwi Bay, who looks to be returning to form.

16.10 - Pint Size understandably heads the market in this maiden claimer, but he looked all about speed the time before and this sixth furlong may stretch him, so it's worth also including Mad For Fun, who finished strongly last time.

16.45 - Kieren Fallon makes the trip up north to steer home Set Me Free (banker) in this most uncompetitive finale.

Selections: 48 lines
14.00 - 1, 3
14.30 - 2, 4
15.00 - 8, 12
15.35 - 1, 3, 4
16.10 - 3, 6
16.45 - 6

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Kiwi Bay gained the first of his two wins last season in this corresponding race, beating a few of these. There were signs last time that he might be on the way back and he can't be dismissed at his favoured venue.

Ginger Jack gradually climbed the ranks in handicaps last year, winning four times for Mark Johnston. Two runs this season haven't got to the bottom of him and he's edging back down in the weights.

Boom And Bust's form has taken off this term , making all in mile handicaps at Bath and Newbury. He meets tougher company here, but is straightforward and will be dangerous if allowed his own way in front.

Reel Buddy Star made all to land successive handicaps over a mile last summer. He has run respectably the last twice and conditions are ideal, so is dangerous to dismiss for all he'll face competition for the lead.

Just Bond got back to winning ways over the extended mile at Beverley last month, finding more than has often been the case. There's a fair chance a 4 lb rise for that will leave him vulnerable.

Collateral Damage has gone winless since a prolific campaign in 2009, but has dropped to a tempting mark and there were signs he could be about to cash in when a staying-on third over seven furlongs at Catterick last time.

Cara's Request is a free-going front runner who ended 2010 in great form. He shaped well on his second start this term, but failed to build on it next and time and seven furlongs is probably more his trip.

Al Muheer is chucked in on his best form and will doubtless pop up at some stage for a yard that is going well, even if there wasn't much promise in his recent effort at Catterick.

Northern Fling won twice at seven furlongs in 2010 and ran a blinder over this trip at Thirsk on his penultimate start. He failed to build on it at Ayr last time, though is still lightly raced at a mile and could be worth another chance.

Mujaadel improved on a good reappearance when winning a seven-furlong handicap at Catterick in May. He was better than the result on his next start, but struggled in a competitive event at Newcastle last time and isn't entirely straightforward.

Rasselas improved for a switch to this yard last summer, winning twice up to a mile, including over C&D. He is yet to find his form this term, though, and often looks quirky.

San Cassiano showed the benefit of a change of yard when winning two handicaps last July. He is back down in the weights now and shaped with encouragement in first-time blinkers at Doncaster on Friday. He looks a leading player.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1.    Collateral Damage
2.    San Cassiano
3.    Boom And Bust

Timeform View: Plenty of the usual faces who go well here and have taken each other on a number of times. San Cassiano will be popular after bouncing back to form at Doncaster last week, but Collateral Damage looked on the way back last time and could be the one to side with. Boom And Bust is another to make the shortlist.

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Foxtrot Hotel confirmed his debut promise when readily landing the odds in a six-furlong maiden at Newbury. He's a smart sprinter in the making and looks on a good mark now handicapping.

Fieldgunner Kirkup was progressive in maidens last year, getting off the mark at the third time of asking with a pair of next-time winners in behind. He ran well when second at Thirsk on his reappearance but left the impression he wants seven furlongs now.

Strictly Pink has improved this year, one of her two wins coming over C&D. She will find this easier than the listed/Group 3 races she's tackled the last twice, but looks vulnerable to less exposed types.

King Ferdinand is a half-brother to the useful sprinters Spanish Bounty and Spanish Acclaim. He has improved with each start to date, overcoming trouble and a poor draw to get off the mark at Chester last time, and should have even more to offer.

Breezolini is only small but improve with racing as a two-year-old, following a Beverley maiden win with a second in a soft-ground nursery over six furlongs at York in October. She's hard to fancy in this company after a lacklustre reappearance at Thirsk, however.

Louis The Pious improved immediately coming back as a three-year-old when winning a six-furlong maiden at Hamilton. He ran well over seven furlongs at Haydock last time in a race that's working out very well and should have more to give back a stiff six furlongs.

Jade landed a C&D maiden on her final start last year and has run well both starts this term. She has given the impression that she's ready for seven furlongs and might prove vulnerable to speedier types here.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1.    Foxtrot Hotel
2.    Louis The Pious
3.    Fieldgunner Kirkup

Timeform View: Foxtrot Hotel has created a good impression on both starts and can defy top weight on his handicap bow. Louis The Pious' latest Haydock form is working out very well and he can edge out Fieldgunner Kirkup for second.

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The opening race at Pontefract is down to just five runners with Bellechance having justified good support on her debut at Newcastle on Saturday. Richard Fahey's newcomer Sunny Side Up needs checking out in the betting but as things stand Majestic Zafeen (18.30) will likely prove hard to beat if improving on her debut third at Newmarket. The form of that race was boosted when the easy winner Misty Conquest followed up in a Pontefract minor event, and there was enough promise in Majestic Zafeen's effort to think she'll be winning races, seeing things out well despite looking green throughout.

Roger Varian has made a dream start to his training career having taken over the reins at Kremlin House from Michael Jarvis. His strike rate stands at 25% and he can make his first raid to Pontefract a successful one with Watercourse (20.00). It's an all-out attack from Newmarket, with Richard Fahey's Ollon the only runner of the six not making the 289-mile round trip, and Watercourse gets the nod following an eye-catching fourth at Nottingham last time. An opening mark of 76 may prove lenient and the step up to a mile and a quarter could be the making of him.

Pegasus Again (20.15) caught the eye on his return to action at Kempton last month and could reward support back on turf at Windsor. He's undeniably well treated these days, some 10 lb lower in the weights now than for his last success in December 2009, and has a win and a third place to his name from two previous visits to Windsor.

Recommendations
Back Majestic Zafeen @ 2.44 Pontefract 18.30
Back Watercourse @ 2.82 Pontefract 20.00
Back Pegasus Again @ 5.9 Windsor 20.15

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Johnny Murtagh is booked on Dancing Rain in the big race this afternoon and from there he'll hotfoot it to Doncaster where he has a handful of rides, the most interesting of which could be the hat-trick seeking Iron Step (19:40). The grey is bidding to maintain an unbeaten record since joining Nicky Vaughan, and the way the form of his latest success at Newmarket is working out suggests he could be ahead of the handicapper at present. Having gradually got to the front on the Rowley Mile, Doncaster's straight mile looks sure to play similarly to his strengths.

Staying at Doncaster and Babycakes (20:15) could be another winner for the popular theory that it pays to follow a horse in foal. Peintre d'Argent, Plaisterer and Saddlers Bend have all tasted success recently while reportedly in foal and Babycakes, said to be carrying one by Equiano, left the impression of having a final success in her before heading off to stud when running a blinder behind the improving Wallis on her reappearance at Yarmouth.

Just over two months into the season and already Sir Mark Prescott is racking up the winners with his three-year-olds. The trainer could be set for a good day, with a couple of runners at Epsom and then the highly promising Motivado likely to be a warm order up at Musselburgh. We fancy them all but the spotlight falls on Sir Mark's fourth and final runner of the day at Bath in the shape of Tenby Lady (21:05). A winner at Wolverhampton in October, Tenby Lady ran a hugely encouraging race on her return in a handicap at Haydock Park, racing up with the strong pace for a long way and in the end beaten only three lengths into fourth by the promising Grumeti and just behind Standout. Back down in grade at Bath, she'll take all the beating if in the same form.

Recommendations
Back Iron Step @ 5.4 Doncaster 19:40
Back Babycakes @ 3.8 Doncaster 20:15
Back Tenby Lady @ 4.0 Bath 21:05

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Beatrice Aurore is progressing well and took the step up to listed company in her stride at Goodwood last month. She needs to improve again to figure here and while her pedigree suggests she should stay this far, her free-going nature adds a degree of doubt.

Blaise Chorus is still a maiden but improved to split Wonder of Wonders and Fork Handles in the Cheshire Oaks last time. That form still leaves her well short of the standard required to win this.

Blue Bunting is a stoutly-bred filly who improved markedly on her juvenile efforts when landing the 1000 Guineas on her reappearance. She will be at least as a effective at this sort of strip and sets a solid standard with the promise of more to come.

Dancing Rain improved on her sole juvenile outing when taking a strong maiden at Newbury in April and showed better form still when beaten a head by Izzi Top at the same track last time. She needs to settle better if she's going to stay a mile and a half.

Eirnin won a maiden at Navan last autumn but has cut little ice this year and she looks booked for pacemaking duties.

Fork Handles ran as well as could be expected when third to Wonder of Wonders and Blaise Chorus in the Cheshire Oaks last time, but lacks the scope of that pair so it's hard to see her making an impact at this level.

Havant was impressive when winning both her two-year-old starts and didn't look fully wound up when sixth to Blue Bunting in the 1000 Guineas. Her pedigree points to her staying this far and she needs consideration with further improvement on the cards.

Izzi Top has improved with each of her three outings this season, beating Dancing Rain in a mile-and-a-quarter listed race at Newbury last time. She has plenty about her physically so further progress can't be ruled out.

Misty For Me won two Group 1s last year and bounced back from a tame effort in the 1000 Guineas when a game winner of the Irish equivalent last month. That puts her on a par with Blue Bunting in form terms, though she may not have quite the same scope for improvement.

Siren's Song had a luckless Wonder of Wonders in behind when runner-up on her debut and improved to land a ten-furlong listed race at Navan impressively in April. The longer trip is sure to suit and she's not one to dismiss lightly.

Why landed a seven-furlong maiden at Leopardstown in August but her progress has halted since and her stable looks to have a couple of stronger contenders.

Wonder of Wonders met all sorts of trouble behind Siren's Song at Leopardstown on her reappearance and showed what she could do when landing the Cheshire Oaks in clear-cut style on her latest outing. More will be required here, but she has more scope for improvement than any of her rivals.

Zain Al Boldan is unbeaten in three starts and took a marked leap forward when putting her rivals to the sword in the Lingfield Oaks Trial last time. That looked a weak renewal, however, and this will be a considerably tougher test.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Blue Bunting
2. Wonder of Wonders
3. Siren's Song

Timeform View: Blue Bunting sets a high standard and is bred to improve for the trip, so has to be the call, although there is considerably more to come from Irish pair Wonder of Wonders and Siren's Song, the latter in particular looking overpriced at current odds.

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