TimeformBlog

[b]Bronze Prince[/b] landed the International Stakes in 2011 for John Gosden, and back to winning ways at Lingfield (1m) in May. Well below form in hot handicaps since but at least won't find this as competitive. [b]Head of Steam[/b] won 3 times over sprint trips in France, and stepped up significantly from comeback run for new yard when fourth in 7f Newbury handicap last time. Interesting to see how he progresses. [b]Albaqaa[/b] won pair of big-field handicaps last summer. Made slow start to the year but shaping better now, having excuses last 3 runs. 1m+ suits him ideally, however. [b]White Frost[/b] reeled off a hat-trick in 7f handicaps first 3 starts in 2011, and right back to best when second at York in July. Below form in hood last 2 starts, though. [b]Ducal[/b] was progressive...

[b]Gidam Gidam[/b] is a thorough stayer who won 4m Doncaster handicap chase in February 2010 for John Mackie. Placed both starts in points last year, and confirmed he retains some ability when runner-up on hunter debut. [b]Marblehead[/b] achieved fairly useful form over fences for both Fergal O'Brien and Nigel Twiston-Davies. Since won a point for his new handler in January, and he ought to be competitive in this company. [b]Special Portrait[/b] surpassed previous winning hunter form when a clear second behind the far superior Cloudly Lane at Ayr last month. Will need to raise his game again in a race with more depth. [b]Rumbury Grey[/b] is a three-time point winner who was fit from that sphere when overhauling Galway Jack in 2½m hunter here last month. Easy enough to see those...

[b]Frontier Spirit[/b] managed just 1 win over hurdles but already a better chaser, unlucky not to make it 3 from 3 over fences when nose second at Ffos Las on Boxing Day. Hampered when unseating rider next time. [b]Skint[/b] was a dual winner over hurdles last season, including EBF final at Sandown in March. Made successful start to chase career at Bangor (2m) on return and might have found next outing coming too soon. [b]Prince of Pirates[/b] is a winning hurdler who improved straight away when making successful chase debut at Doncaster last time. Will do even better. [b]Flaming Charlie[/b] is a point winner and successful over hurdles in 2009/10. Off 21 months prior to return this season and good efforts when runner-up last 2 starts. Claims if building on that. [b]Brackloon...

[b]13:10[/b] - Kazlian had precious little to beat at Ffos Las last month, pulling further and further clear to win as he liked, and though this race is clearly tougher, there is no denying that he looks a good prospect. It is worth taking some insurance, however, and Tuscan Gold, a stayer with plenty of ability on the Flat, shaped well on his hurdling debut and looks a sure-fire improver. [b]13:40[/b] - A fairly small field makes up leg two, and none of the participants make all that much appeal, so two selections are required. Edgebury won a handicap hurdle at Towcester in April, and ran up to that level at the first time of asking over fences. His safe jumping that day instils some confidence in his prospects for this afternoon. All three of Phar Again's wins have been recorded at...

[b]Enroller[/b] was a one-time smart performer on Flat (stays 2m), winning Group 3 in 2009. Took big step forward second-time up over hurdles at Taunton (2½m) and tongue strap now fitted. [b]Eurythmic[/b] was a fairly useful maiden up to 1¼m on Flat in Ireland for Charles O'Brien, but has offered little in 3 runs over hurdles. [b]Hidden[/b] showed just modest form on Flat for Brian Meehan in 2010. Good jumping pedigree and showed enough behind Rowan Tiger at Bangor (17f, heavy going) last time to think he'll have a future in this discipline. [b]High on a Hill[/b] was successful for fourth time on Flat when capturing a 1¾m handicap for Sylvester Kirk in October. Never travelling on last month's hurdling debut on heavy going but this run should reveal more. [b]Oriental Cat[/b]...

[b]Fiendish Flame[/b] is a useful hurdler/chaser who goes from the front. Only having second start for this yard when back to best over C&D last week, drubbing rivals after allowed a soft lead. Fancied to defy his penalty. [b]Afsoun[/b] was a very smart hurdler in his prime, third in 2007 Champion Hurdle. Become temperamental since, and far from certain to build on last month's seasonal return when fair fifth of 12 at Haydock. [b]Ranjobaie[/b] was a useful hurdler for Nicky Henderson in 2009/10. Didn't set the world alight over fences last term for new yard and beaten out of sight back hurdling on recent return. Tongue tie now given a whirl. [b]Russian George[/b] is a fairly useful Flat performer who landed trio of novices around 2m when switched to hurdles in summer 2010. However,...

[b]Olympian[/b] was back on the up over hurdles with a smooth success over 2m at Stratford in September. Not shone since (including back over fences last time), but he's the sort who generally pays his way. [b]Katchmore[/b] won a Ffos Las novice in March and good second in handicap at Stratford the following month. Longer trip his undoing when last seen in May, and this 4-y-o is still relatively unexposed. [b]Not Til Monday[/b] is a dual-purpose performer with a good strike rate in 2011, winning novices at Plumpton and Lingfield in January/February, and visored to win twice back on the Flat since. Versatile regards ground. [b]Quiet Whisper[/b] improved to win 2m Towcester handicap in May, and not discredited next 4 starts. Fitting of cheekpieces backfired last time, so no surprise...

[b]Al Shemali[/b] won the Dubai Duty Free last year, but is not the same force in 2011, and latest second to Mahbooba in listed race at Newmarket not necessarily a sign of a revival, as he never threatened easy winner. [b]Colombian[/b] has been campaigned primarily in France this season, making frame all 4 starts, including in Prix du Jockey Club and Prix Niel behind Reliable Man. Afforded maximum respect on return to home soil. [b]Late Telegraph[/b] is frrom the family of Irish Oaks winner Moonstone and cost 320,000 gns as a yearling. Had a hood fitted when beating Dick Doughtywylie in a 1¼m Goodwood maiden in August. Sure to improve. [b]Sadeek's Song[/b] confirmed his debut promise when an easy winner of a 1m Nottingham maiden last month. Better form when ¾-length third of ...

The William Haggas-trained [b]Mabaany[/b] can get us off to a good start in the opening race of the afternoon (14:10) by landing the odds in what looks an ordinary conditions race. Mabaany finished third on his racecourse debut, behind Zumbi and Glen Moss, in what has transpired into above-average Ascot maiden, before a runaway victory at Chester on his one and only subsequent start. He was still extremely green at Chester and was almost clueless to his task when first asked for his effort, but the way he quickened clear of some fair rivals suggested that he would be plying his trade in pattern company sooner rather than later. He comes from a smart family and obviously has a great deal of potential, so a victory here today should provide the platform for bigger and better things. [b]Kaafel[/b]...