TimeformBlog

Soap Wars won a Windsor handicap on last season's return, so fitness no great concern on first outing since October. Ended 2011 with fine second over C&D and one of the more interesting contenders.

Prime Exhibit has not won since July 2010, but shaped better at Newcastle on first start for new yard recently when racing on unfavoured part of track. Cheekpieces tried for the first time now and dropped in trip.

Piscean was a cosy winner of a couple of 7f polytrack handicaps earlier in the year. Held form well since, but better on an artificial surface and yet to win off a mark this high on turf.

Five Star Junior left the impression that he would soon cash in on his sliding mark when third to Palace Moon at Lingfield (6f) in February, but has rather lost his way again since. On a good mark but risky.

Kuanyao landed a sixth consecutive win at Newmarket (6f) in September 2010, but found life much harder subsequently. Slipped in weights, and hinted at a revival when a creditable third over C&D last time.

Ray of Joy proved she was no back number when landing C&D handicap in April, and hasn't been disgraced in 3 starts since. Should run her race under suitable conditions.

The Guru of Gloom was unraced at 2 yrs, but quickly made up for lost time in 2011, winning 3 times. Approaching concert pitch once again, but wouldn't be sure to appreciate the drop to sprinting.

Picabo Won a 5f handicap at Newmarket for Lucy Wadham in 2011. Best effort for new stable when keeping-on second in first-time hood at Sandown (5f) last time. Yard going well and much respected.

Beach Candy won a Ffos Las maiden and 6f Windsor nursery last autumn. Well held both starts in AW handicaps in May and almost certainly flattered on first run for new yard on Friday.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Picabo
2. Ray of Joy
3. Soap Wars

Timeform Verdict: Picabo looked on the way back when second at Sandown last time and could prove the answer here. Ray of Joy and Soap Wars are others with plenty to recommend them.

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Furbelow is a well-bred filly who confirmed debut promise when winning 6f Kempton maiden in April, in control long way out. Hampered by a slipping saddle there on handicap bow, and that run best ignored.

Impel was gelded prior to recording an improved effort to get off mark in 6f Kempton handicap earlier this month. Has to prove he can back that up returned to turf but contender if he does.

Charitable Act won maiden at Kempton in 2011, but has a patchy profile overall and hasn't landed any sort of blow on either start this year. Easy enough to dismiss.

Solfilia improved with each run in 2011, breaking her duck in Nottingham nursery in July, and had a troubled run when fourth of 9 on return at Kempton in June (Furbelow behind). Should build on that.

Gung Ho Jack won maiden and nursery at 6f on turf last year, but has been a long way below form on both starts this year having been gelded. Plenty to prove at present.

Uprise belatedly got off the mark for Sir Michael Stoute when taking a 6f Doncaster maiden in June. Joined current yard for 45,000 gns recently, an interesting to see how he shapes up in market.

Dark Ages continued upward curve on first outing for new yard at Salisbury last month, completing hat-trick of 6f successes. Shaped as if still in top form last time, and should give another good account.

Orders From Rome ran a blinder when sixth in Super Sprint at Newbury last July, and finally broke his duck in 5f maiden at Southwell in May. Poor effort in a handicap last time, though, and opposable again.

Red Senor improved to win 5f Lingfield maiden in March and not discredited when fifth in turf handicaps next 2 starts. Progress has ground to a halt, however, and he needs some help from the assessor.

Jocasta Dawn won a heavy ground Yarmouth maiden on second start when dropped back to 5f and shaped very well when second in decent handicap at Sandown last time. Looks on a winning mark on that evidence.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Jocasta Dawn
2. Dark Ages
3. Solfilia

Timeform Verdict: Jocasta Dawn shaped very well behind a thriving sort on handicap bow, and looks leniently treated on that evidence. She should prove too strong for Dark Ages and Solfilia now.

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Lexi's Hero is a strong-travelling front runner who won 6f handicaps at Chester and York in 2011. Yet to scale same heights this term, but better than bare result at Windsor last time, so not written off.

Mac's Power failed to win in 2011, but boasted some very good placed form in top events. Ran a good deal better than bare result in Wokingham last time and unlikely to be too far away.

Chunky Diamond had a decent campaign at 2 yrs, winning twice and runner-up in listed company on final start at Doncaster. Not at best either start this season and ground might be on the slow side for him.

Shropshire was gelded before return, and landed 6f Kempton handicap in March. Improved again to finish a good second of 24 at Newmarket in May and put some lesser runs behind him at Windsor last time.

Imperial Guest produced largely respectable efforts in 2011 after making winning reappearance over C&D. Not at best in competitive handicaps here so far this year but drop in trip/weights will help. Can go well.

Noble Citizen was back at level shown when scoring over C&D in 2011 when chasing home Primaeval from a poor position at Goodwood (7f) in May. Eyeshields left off now back at 6f.

Thunderball has been better than ever this year, winning for second time over C&D in May. Handicapper in charge since, however, and might find a few of these better treated.

Farlow has reportedly not been easiest to train, but made up for lost time in 2011, winning 3 times. Resumed progress when adding to that at Doncaster (6f) in May and another good run when last seen.

Lutine Bell was in frame 5 times in handicaps around 6f last year, usually in blinkers. Promise on return but ran poorly at Windsor last time (well backed). Headgear left off once more.

Top Cop won Bath minor event last summer and resumed progress when narrowly beaten in hot Newmarket handicap in May. Ground a valid excuse last time and still relatively unexposed.

Seeking Magic is a lightly-raced gelding who progressed well last year, winning at Bath in October. Runner-up on first 2 starts this year and still looked in form at Epsom last time. This looks tougher.

Elna Bright won here in September and career best to take Wolverhampton handicap last November. Eye-catcher on all 3 turf runs this year, markedly so at Sandown last time, and interesting off current mark.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Imperial Guest
2. Mac's Power
3. Top Cop

Timeform View: Imperial Guest will be happier back at 6f and he can prove the answer in a very competitive race. Mac's Power shouldn't be far away under these conditions, while Top Cop and Farlow are others to consider.

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Ed De Gas won first 3 starts, and bounced back from a below-par effort in the Lingfield Derby Trial when third in the 2m Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot. Should go well again despite drop back in trip.

Fennell Bay has been largely progressive since joining this yard, gaining fourth win of year in King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot. Well held last time, however, and must bounce back to have any chance here.

Goldoni improved at 1¼m this year, landing heavy-ground Epsom Derby Trial in April, and back to form when a creditable sixth of 10 in Royal Ascot Group 3 last time. Vulnerable to improvers.

New Youmzain is bred on same lines as same connections' high-class middle-distance performer Youmzain, and improved on debut effort when taking a 1½m Thirsk maiden in May. More required at this level.

Sparkling Portrait progressed to win 1¼m handicaps at Beverley and Newmarket first 2 starts this year. Much better than result when behind Fennell Bay at Royal Ascot last time, and not one to take lightly.

Act Your Shoe Size improved to win 9f Carlisle handicap in May and further progress when showing good attitude to narrowly outpoint No Poppy at Thirsk last month. Stamina not assured now stepping up in grade.

Albamara romped home in 8.5f Epsom maiden last summer, and picked up progressive thread when third in a Newbury listed race on return. Will be suited by stiffer test now and leading claims.

Naseem Alyasmeen has been steadily progressive, landing third win of year in Chester handicap last month. Best effort when second in Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket (13f) last week and player if this doesn't come too soon.

Perfect Delight is a consistent sort who gained a deserved first career success in 1¼m Newbury maiden in June. Stiff task at Newmarket last time, and likely to come up short again in this company.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Albamara
2. Naseem Alyasmeen
3. Sparkling Portrait

Timeform View: A competitive renewal of this listed prize. Albamara shaped well on her return at a similar level at Newbury and gets the nod with further improvement on the cards. The likes of Naseem Alyasmeen, Sparkling Portrait and Ed de Gas will ensure she doesn't have things all her own way, though.

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Star Surprise ran well in the main for this yard in 2011, and several creditable efforts for Ismail Mohammed in Dubai since. Nothing wrong with return third at Ayr either recently on soft ground.

Shavansky can spoil his chance at the start, but there is no doubting he's dropped to a tempting mark, and has shaped well the last twice (endured a troubled passage at Salisbury). One to take seriously.

Viscount Vert improved performer this year fitted with a hood, landing back-to-back 1m contests in recent weeks. Saddle slipped on hat-trick bid recently when in the process of giving a good account.

Sir Mike raced just once at 2 yrs, and hard to knock him this time around, placed all 4 starts, finding only one too good at Windsor in race Viscount Vert unseated. Should go well again from same mark.

Push Me won twice last summer and also got her head in front in 1m AW handicap at Lingfield in February. Performed just respectably since, sixth of 10 to Keene Dancer at Windsor on Monday.

Hilali was a totally different proposition on handicap debut when bolting up in a 1m Newbury handicap last month. 10 lb rise inevitable, and can't rule out further improvement.

My Lord quite a few respectable efforts since winning for Bill Turner last year, and best effort for some time when runner-up to Viscount Vert back on turf earlier this month. More exposed than most.

Masters Blazing left polytrack form behind when winning soft-ground handicaps at Warwick in April and Nottingham in May. No impact in cheekpieces on last 3 starts and must step up to figure now.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Shavansky
2. Viscount Vert
3. Hilali

Timeform Verdict: This looks more competitive than the numbers would suggest. Viscount Vert was in the process of running a creditable race on his recent hat-trick bid prior to his saddle slipping and commands respect, but it may be worth siding with the well-handicapped Shavansky instead. Impressive Newbury winner Hilali is another to consider.

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Beverley's 15:30 gets us underway this afternoon, where Icy Blue is taken to get back to winning ways having slipped to the mark from which he was last triumphant in August last year. The four-year-old has been threatening to come good for some time now, shaping as if ready to strike on a couple of occasions, none more so than when third at Ripon last week having met trouble two furlongs out and finishing best for minimum pressure. A case of sorts can be made for a number of these, with Carlisle first and second, Lady Chaparral and Lockantanks, heading the dangers, but Icy Blue has to be taken seriously and appeals as a good bet at the 8.4 currently available.

Course specialist Shadowtime has hinted on several occasions this season that he retains all of his ability, and is taken to gain a sixth career win in Beverley's 16:30. All of the seven-year-old's previous successes have come at this venue, the most recent in July of last year off a 3 lb higher mark, and Shadowtime has done enough in five starts this year to suggest that he is on the verge of entering the winners' enclosure once more. First Class Favour rates as the most likely danger but she is not the most consistent and cannot be relied upon to follow-up her win here earlier this month, so it is Shadowtime that gets the vote to, with any luck, land us a quick-fire Beverley double.

The final race in Britain and Ireland on Tuesday is Southwell's 21:00, in which Kung Hei Fat Choy is going to prove mightily tough to beat under a penalty for his win over C&D a week ago. On his fibresand and handicap debut, with blinkers applied for the first time, the three-year-old got off the mark on his fifth racecourse appearance with an improved effort, demolishing his 11 opponents with a seven-length success. Kung Hei Fat Choy is a fairly restrictive price but, hopefully teamed with a brace of winners from earlier on in the day, the James Given-trained gelding looks a solid selection.

Back Icy Blue @ 8.4 in the 15:30 at Beverley
Back Shadowtime @ 5.0 in the 16:30 at Beverley
Back Kung Hei Fat Choy @ 2.2 in the 21:00 at Southwell

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Wild Desert won at Wolverhampton in November and has generally acquitted himself well since. Good third of 10 to Western Prize at Salisbury last time, and respected again, for all further rain would be a worry.

Boss's Destination produced a career-best effort to win 2m handicap at Southwell in April. Not fired in 3 runs back on turf since, however, and others arrive here in better form.

Mojolika was successful in this race last year and, fit from hurdling, has returned to the Flat in top form, finishing second to Blackstone Vegas over 17f at Pontefract on good to soft last month. Sure to go well.

Mohawk Ridge shaped well under an overly-aggressive ride at Thirsk last month, and built on that effort when scoring well at Catterick last time. Up 7 lb for that, though, and may prove vulnerable.

Markington was better than ever when winning twice at up to 2¼m in 2010, including this race, but largely below form for Peter Bowen last summer. No threat on return for new yard at Salisbury, but not written off.

Blackstone Vegas arrives here in good order, landing staying contests at Kempton and Pontefract before a solid third at latter track last time. Has risen in the weights, and more required to regain winning thread.

Petella picked up 2 handicaps for new yard last season, the second over 17f at Pontefract in August. Good fourth to Blackstone Vegas there on return, and that should have put an edge on her.

Stags Leap was inconsistent for Alistair Whillans last year, but won over hurdles in May for current yard. Failed to build on an encouraging return when down the field at Hamilton (in cheekpieces) last time.

Moon Trip landed a 1m Leicester nursery in August, and good second at Musselburgh (12.5f) last month. Below form at Salisbury last time, and takes a further hike in trip now.

Timeform 1-2-3
1. Mojolika
2. Petella
3. Blackstone Vegas

Timeform View: Blackstone Vegas had Mojolika and Petella behind when winning at Pontefract last month, but may struggle to confirm form on revised terms, and Tim Easterby's gelding is taken to follow up last year's success in this event.

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Oddysey looks the one to side with in the 15:05. The daughter of Acclamation belatedly confirmed the promise she showed on debut last year when posting an improved effort to get off the mark in a heavy-ground, C&D apprentice event under this rider last week. The emphasis on stamina suited her that day, so any ease in the ground will only add credence to her claims, and given that she races off the same mark once again she has to rate a strong contender to make it two victories in a row.

One hour later on the card, Dubai Dynamo is taken to build upon the his excellent runner-up effort at Ripon last Monday with success here. Ruth Carr's gelding stuck to his task in resolute fashion when beaten only a neck that day, attempting to concede 17 lb to his eventual conqueror Satanic Beat, and has come down a further 2 lb in the weights now. Likely front-runners Indepub and Staff Sergeant need keeping in check given their capacity to steal a march if allowed to dictate, but Dubai Dynamo has the running style to counter any over-exertion in their pacemaking and is fancied to get his head in front.

Finally, the concluding 17:05 apprentice handicap can go the way of Alistair Whillans's Lady Bluesky. This dual-purpose mare was another who finished runner-up on her most recent start (over seventeen-and-a-half furlongs in the mud at this track one week ago), travelling best and somewhat unfortunate given that she made her effort earlier than ideal. Racing off the same mark over today's shorter trip, she remains very much one to be interested in and would relish any further deterioration in the going.

Back Oddysey in the 15:05 at Ayr
Back Dubai Dynamo in the 16:05 at Ayr
Back Lady Bluesky in the 17:05 at Ayr

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14:15 - The step back up in trip should suit Lincolnrose this afternoon and he can confirm the form over Stripped Bear having finished ahead of that rival last week. Lincolnrose remains open to progression over the distance on offer and it would be a surprise were he to finish outside of the first two.

14:45 - The maiden auction stakes is likely to prove difficult to negotiate and it could be worth siding with two selections in a seven runner affair. The two that get the nod are Bix, who could be better than his last three runs give credit for, and Lexington Blue, an interesting newcomer from a respected stable.

15:15 - A claimer is never an easy leg but Upper Lambourn and Bold Marc are the two worth taking, the pair considered superior to their rivals based on Timeform weight-adjusted ratings. Bold Marc produced his best recent performance at this venue in April, whilst Upper Lambourn has recorded three wins from five starts on the fibresand.

15:45 - For What rates as a banker in the fourth leg, and the relatively lightly raced four-year-old should be good enough to see off the majority of his main rivals in what appears to be a fairly open handicap. For What made a pleasing return to action at Lingfield last time, and he ought to be capable of reproducing that effort back at the scene of his sole career win.

16:15 - Another solid course C&D performer is Tunnager Grove, who has a similar profile to our selection in the previous race. The Hughie Morrison-trained three-year old put up an improved display on the fibresand last time, and there is every reason to believe that he can follow that up racing off the same mark.

16:45 - Majestic Mannaman sets the standard but Marmalade Moon is the one open to progression so it's probably wise to take both in the final leg as we look to land the dividend. The pair have shown enough to suggest they are up to winning a race of this calibre but we only require a place and there is a solid chance of doubling-up.

Selections
14:15 - 4
14:45 - 1, 4
15:15 - 6, 9
15:45 - 4
16:15 - 5
16:45 - 4, 8
=8 Lines

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Alanza is genuine and consistent, winning 5 of her 9 starts, on latest appearance landing the odds by neck from Marvada in a Leopardstown 7f Group 3 last month. Return to 1m ought to suit.

Barefoot Lady won the Nell Gwyn last year and several in-frame efforts since, including when fourth to Joviality in Windsor Forest at Ascot last time. Hard to see where requisite improvement will come from.

Chachamaidee is a smart sort who won at York and Goodwood (Oak Tree Stakes) in 2011. Successful return in Group 3 at Lingfield and better than ever when only going down by neck to Joviality in Windsor Forest since.

Giofra has been progressive at up to 10.5f, winning Prix d'Harcourt at Longchamp in April and improved again when second to Cirrus des Aigles in Prix Ganay there last time. Respected.

Golden Lilac the 2011 French 1000 Guineas and French Oaks winner, who looked better than ever when upsetting odds-on Cirrus Des Aigles in Prix d'Ispahan on return in May and sets the standard here.

Joviality won the Musidora at York last term and took her form to another level when taking Windsor Forest at Royal Ascot by neck from Chachamaidee, but even more required now.

Lay Time proved progressive last term, landing 1m listed race at Sandown on final run and better than ever when behind Joviality and Chachamaidee at Royal Ascot, having to wait for a gap and finishing well.

Siyouma is another progressive lightly-raced French filly, finishing third in 1¼m Saint-Cloud Group 2 on latest start, though more improvement needed to make impact here.

Elusive Kate was one of last year's top juveniles, landing Prix Marcel Boussac in October. Easy to forgive Breeders' Cup flop, but has missed several engagements this year, and needs to be spot on to take this.

Irish History won at Windsor on debut in May. Badly hampered in Sandown listed event next time and placed in Group 1 on just third career start when third in Coronation last time. Could easily have more to give.

Maybe made big strides last summer, her unbeaten season culminating with win in Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes. Below par in the 1000 Guineas and Oaks this term, but too soon to be writing her off.

Timeform Verdict:
1. Golden Lilac
2. Maybe
3. Alanza

Timeform's View: Golden Lilac showed herself better than ever when beating Cirrus des Aigles on her reappearance and can gain her fourth success at the highest level. Aidan O'Brien has surprisingly yet to win this race and may have to settle for minor honours again with Maybe, with fellow Irish raider Alanza another likely to go well.

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