TimeformBlog

[b]Biographer[/b] takes the eye on looks and is progressing along the right lines, digging deep to land soft-ground 1½m handicap at Ffos Las before excellent second in Melrose at York. Strong claims. [b]Cavaleiro[/b] ended 2011 with pair of wins over 1m and improved again when third in Lingfield Derby Trial. Good second on return from break at Newbury last time and worth a try at this trip. [b]Last Shadow[/b] revels in the mud, improving to gain third win at Windsor in July. Good second at Haydock last time but looks up against it in this company. [b]Signed Up[/b] has quickly progressed into a useful performer, winning strong Sandown maiden in June before following up in Goodwood handicap last month. Likely to stay this far and still open to more improvement. [b]Sir Graham ...

[b]Thistle Bird[/b] is a lightly-raced filly who was better than ever in a first-time hood when winning 5-runner 1m Windsor listed race on reappearance. More needed under penalty but could easily have more to give. [b]Beatrice Aurore[/b] progressed well last season, winning in handicap, listed and Group company before signing off with second in Italian Group 1. Three decent efforts so far this term and likely to be in mix again. [b]I Love Me[/b] is a lightly-raced filly who won valuable Newmarket sales race on debut at 2 yrs. Very good fourth in Coronation Stakes last June but yet to fire in 2 runs back this term. Risky proposition. [b]Moone's My Name[/b] followed up seasonal debut win at Windsor in April with creditable fourth over C&D next time. Improved again to win at Newmarket...

[b]Lexi's Hero[/b] 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. [b]Mac's Power[/b] 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. [b]Chunky Diamond[/b] 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. [b]Shropshire[/b] 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...

[b]Electrolyser[/b] generally struggled in pattern company last year despite running respectably, and similar story in Dubai this winter. Back to winning ways in Nottingham listed race latest, but bit more needed. [b]Red Cadeaux[/b] took a step forward when hammering rivals in Curragh Group 3 (1¾m) in June, and similar level of form when placed in Melbourne Cup (beaten in photo)/Hong Kong Vase. Leading player back in Group 3. [b]Barbican[/b] proved a revelation last year having been unraced for Aidan O'Brien, winning 6 times including a listed race here on final start. Not as good at this trip at Meydan latest, but needs considering. [b]Colour Vision's[/b] third win of 2011 in 2¼m Pontefract minor event in October. Better than ever when third in Cesarewitch and then placed in...

[b]A disappointing start to the week was soon turned around on Saturday afternoon, with a Nicholls Ascot treble which included the fourteenth consecutive win of the phenomenal Big Buck's...[/b] Those who had started to question the form of Nicholls earlier in the week were forced to eat their words come Saturday, a day which typically sees the stable come alive. After just one winner from his previous 16 runners prior to Saturday, Nicholls landed an Ascot treble courtesy of successes from Aerial, [b]Big Buck's[/b] and The Minack. Nicholls sent a strong team to Ascot, the only course where he had runners this weekend, and he couldn't have got off to a better start as Aerial ran out a ten-length winner of the two-and-a-half mile Graduation Chase. Although the race fell apart...

With a potential prize of over £500,000 on offer for finding the winner of all six Scoop 6 races on Saturday, here's a suggested permutation... [u]Haydock 13:55 [/u] A strong pace is to be expected in the first leg with several front-runners in the line up so, with that in mind, Eyre Square and Gurtacrue are the ones to have on side. Eyre Square has developed as both a hurdler and chaser in the last few seasons and arrives on the back of another career-best, while point/bumper winner Gurtacrue did well over inadequate trips as a novice last season and made an encouraging chase debut in a maiden at Chepstow last month. [i]Selections: 6, 7[/i] [u]Haydock 14:30 [/u] The betfair.com/paulnicholls "Fixed Brush" Handicap Hurdle is always a very competitive race and likely to prove...

[b]Remember Now[/b] (12:50) can get us off to a good start this afternoon, looking Bet of the Day material in the opening handicap hurdle at Haydock. Remember Now is a half-brother to Binocular so it isn't ureasonable to anticipate that this Nicky Henderson-trained five-year-old may yet progress into performer in time, and he went some way towards demonstrating his potential last term, impressively landing handicaps at both Stratford and Ayr. He was then sent off the well-backed (and tongue tied) favourite for the Swinton Hurdle over course and distance in April but experienced a breathing problem and finished last of the twenty two runners. Champion Jockey Tony McCoy continues the partnership on Remember Now's return this afternoon and, with the handicapper having dropped him 2 lb for ...

[b]Rougham[/b] took well to chasing last season, the highlight when winning over course-and-distance in January. Made a solid return earlier this month when third of 9 at Sandown, rallying well after a bad final fence mistake. [b]Balzaccio[/b] is a winning hurdler who has proved just as good over fences, reeling off successive victories at Fontwell and Huntingdon last month. Must defy career-high back handicapping in hat-trick bid. [b]Piraya[/b]'s only win in Britain came over 2½m over fences in February 2010. Highly tried last season (including the Grand National), but can go well fresh and represents an in-form stable. [b]Court in Session[/b] is a multiple point winner who won both completed starts over hurdles, including here. Type to do even better chasing, but faced a tall...

[b]Dayia[/b] is a consistent mare who stays well and won twice for Jeff Pearace last year. She ran well in the Queen Alexandra on her recent return, but faces a stiff task here off a mark 6 lb higher than when beaten in the Cesarewitch. [b]Mountain Hiker[/b] has his share of temperament (twice refused to enter stalls) but showed he could win handicaps when placed at York and over this course and distance on his last two starts. A visor replaces cheekpieces now and he's respected again. [b]Downhiller[/b] was steadily progress as a three- and four-year-old until suffering a leg injury in the Chester Cup. He has his well-being to prove after over two years put and the betting will likely prove a guide as to what is expected. [b]Very Good Day[/b] made hard work of winning a maiden ...