TimeformBlog

[b]Colour Vision[/b] is an improved performer in 2012, backing up his Group 3 Sagaro Stakes success with a gutsy display to land Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup. Third under a penalty in Goodwood Cup since, and concedes weight again. [b]Aaim To Prospe[/b]r is a smart performer, runner-up in a listed race at Sandown 2 starts back, though form still falls short of what is required in this. Also has to put a very poor effort in the Goodwood Cup behind him. [b]Askar Tau[/b] won this race in 2009 and has run to a similar level on a couple of occasions this term, including when second to Saddler's Rock in the Goodwood Cup. One of lesser efforts at York last time. [b]High Jinx[/b] is a progressive 4-y-o, winning handicap at Newmarket in June and finishing a fine second to Times Up in the Lonsdale...

[b]Cracking Lass[/b] made up into a useful performer last year, and finished fourth in this event. Respectable fourth in listed race at York on recent return but another minor role looks on the cards. [b]Wild Coco[/b] is unexposed after just 6 career runs, and made successful return from absence of nearly a year when winning Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood. Given plenty of time to recover and leading contender. [b]Ambivalent[/b] is a progressive filly, winning 3 of 5 starts, most recently a listed race at Newbury last month. Looks ready for this step up in grade and is one to consider, with trip unlikely to be an issue. [b]Bite Of The Cherry[/b] is progressive, taking form up another notch when 5-length winner on handicap bow at Newmarket (13f). Only fourth in listed race at ...

[b]Confessional[/b] won a 5f Chester handicap in May and since made frame in Group/listed races 3 times, third to Borderlescott in Beverley Bullet on latest. Entitled to go well again whilst finding one or 2 too good [b]Desert Law[/b] was useful at 6f in 2011, and even better back at 5f this term, defying mark of 101 in Shergar Cup Dash at Ascot in August. Little impact whenever upped to listed company previously, including last time [b]Kingsgate Native[/b] was a dual Group 1 winner in his younger days, but not got his head in front since 2010 Temple Stakes. Left Sir Michael Stoute to join trainer with good record with sprinters, and goes well fresh. [b]Masamah[/b] is a front-runner who has returned to form of late, facing competition for lead and caught wide when second to Borderlescott...

[b]Moodhill[/b] (Doncaster 14:00) shaped well on his return from an eight-month lay-off when finishing third in a Newmarket maiden over a mile. Given the early speed he showed that day, and with conditions likely to be testing, it is perhaps no bad thing that he drops back to seven furlongs here. There is every chance the twice-raced son of Dansili can build on his seasonal reappearance and, if that is the case, he may prove difficult to peg back. A chance is taken that [b]Farhaan[/b] can provide a boost for the John Dunlop yard by taking the listed Gala Stakes (16:00) at Sandown. The trainer has suffered an extremely frustrating time of things, but the stable's long losing run was snapped at the weekend and it could just be that Farhaan will offer another fillip for Dunlop. The selection...

[b]Auroras Encore[/b] won a listed handicap chase over this trip in May 2010 but well beaten since, including on belated return at Market Rasen last month. Hard to fancy until showing more. [b]Forzy Origny[/b] won at Huntingdon in April 2010 and good second following month before leaving Alan King. Run only twice since and well held both times, so arrives on return from another break with a bit to prove. [b]Faasel[/b] is not straightforward but has plenty of ability and signed off last campaign with 2 runner-up efforts in Kim Muir and bet365 Gold Cup. Took little interest on return but this a drop in class for him. [b]Mumbles Head[/b] mixed it in good company back in 2009/10, but clearly been difficult to train since, shaping as if amiss when pulling up on belated return before...

Trainer John Wade enjoyed a strong finish to 2011 (in December the County Durham handler sent out six winners at a strike rate of 21%) and, though Wade has yet to get off the mark so far this year, hopes are high that [b]Quel Ballistic[/b] (15.25, Doncaster) can be the first of many. Quel Ballistic has taken well to fences this season and a staying-on second over an extended two and three quarter miles at Wetherby in November suggested there would be plenty of improvement to come when stepped up to three miles and beyond. Quel Ballistic was in the process of proving that point in no uncertain fashion at Catterick last time, where he was running on strongly into a closing second prior to being hampered by the fall of the leader two out, causing his jockey Wilson Renwick to unseat. Such was...

Newbury stages the first of their eight-race card at 1:30 and [b]Forest Row[/b] can get the day off to a winning start by taking the first division of the six and a half furlong maiden. The son of Cockney Rebel is a half-brother to globe-trotting Group 1 winner Presvis and he made a highly encouraging start to his own career when fifth at the same track in May. Well backed, Forest Row overcame a slow start to stay on with purpose in the closing stages, finishing best of all in a race that race has thrown up a whole host of winners, the best of which third-placedTrumpet Major, who subsequently won the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster. The slight step up in trip is sure to suit Clive Cox's charge and he can make light of his five-month absence and take this on the way to better things. [b]Voodoo...

[b]Iver Bridge Lad[/b] has worked his way back to best form this year, returning from Meydan to win minor events at Kempton and Nottingham, but set some stiff tasks since. Only ninth in this last year from the same mark. [b]Anne of Kiev[/b] is a hold-up sprinter who improved on AW last winter. Continued good work initially on turf, and cast aside a series of lesser efforts when just touched off in 6f listed event at Newmarket 3 weeks ago. [b]Mac's Power[/b] gained third win of 2010 in this contest from a 10 lb lower mark, and has shaped on numerous occasions this year as if he has another big handicap in him. Rare poor run to put behind him now. [b]Kaldoun Kingdom[/b] last tasted success over C&D back in March 2010, but matched the pick of recent form when finding only a thriving...

[b]13:25[/b] - 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. [b]13:55[/b] - 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. [b]14:25[/b] - Opinion Poll has the beating...