TimeformBlog

[b]Handsome Ransom[/b] got off mark at third time of asking in maidens when winning at Kempton in May (1¼m), but absent since flopping over that C&D the following month and tried in cheekpieces now. [b]Misdemeanour[/b] was unbeaten in couple of starts as a juvenile and hadn't done much wrong this term before disappointing at Ascot last time. Can be expected to bounce back and has dropped 2 lb as a result. [b]Estebsaal[/b] made a promising debut at Newmarket in June and improved on back of lesser effort to win 10-runner 1m maiden at Nottingham last time by 7 lengths. Will stay this far and initial handicap mark looks fair. [b]Al Baidaa[/b] has suspect attitude, but showing progressive form in handicaps, following up 10.3f Chester success with good second at Wolverhampton in blinkers/hood...

Lingfield stages a pair of 1½m maidens containing several well-bred, late maturing types representing powerful yards, and although undoubtedly quirky, Sir Michael Stoute's gelding [b]Scottish Vespers[/b] (15:40) looks set to get off the mark at the fourth time of asking. Placed on all his previous outings in similar events this year, the application of a visor here should prove beneficial for this son of Dylan Thomas, who boasts the best form on show in this race. Half an hour later and teaming up with William Haggas, with whom he has a better than one-in-three strike rate, Moore takes the ride on the steadily progressive [b]District Attorney[/b] (16:10) in a handicap over the same distance as the preceeding event. In receipt of weight from all seven rivals and likely to improve for...

[b]Mia's Boy[/b] is a hold-up performer who won 2 of last 3 starts in 2011. Run well in defeat on polytrack this year and not ruled out back at a more suitable trip following a couple of lesser recent efforts on turf. [b]Bravo Echo[/b] is winless since taking Kempton event over 1m in January 2011, stopping quickly returned to turf in April and chequered record remains a concern now tongue tied back on AW. [b]Piscean[/b] was a cosy winner of 7f handicaps at Wolverhampton and Kempton earlier in the year. Not the type to stay down for long following a modest run last time, but never won off a mark this high. [b]Shifting Star[/b] was back on the scoreboard over C&D in January. Gutsy display to edge out Piscean and Corporal Maddox when going in again at Goodwood last month and no reason...

[b]Big Wave[/b] (14:40) looks by far the least exposed of the six runners that go to post for the second race of the afternoon at Lingfield, and he should be able to follow up his Yarmouth victory with another win here. Big Wave looks potentially well treated on his handicap debut after impressing in a maiden last time out, racing freely in the early stages before showing improvement to quicken clear over a furlong out. His rivals don't quite match up to his standard this afternoon, and the jockey booking of Richard Hughes (38% strike rate when teaming up with Jane Chapple-hyam in the last five seasons) makes him a solid selection. The 15:00 at Musselburgh looks to be between [b]Le Chat d'Or[/b] and Nadeen, both of whom were last time out winners, but slight preference is for the former...

David Pipe's Balgarry made light of a 557-day absence to run away with a competitive handicap hurdle at Newbury on Saturday, and Pipe will be hoping lightning can strike twice this afternoon with the ex-Philip Hobbs trained [b]Terfel's Toscar[/b] (14:45) at Hereford. Quietly progressive in three runs over hurdles during the 2009/10 season, the son of Oscar was last seen finishing second to his then stablemate Mostly Bob in a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter in April 2010. In the intervening period, Mostly Bob has gone on to prove himself at least a fairly useful performer over both hurdles and fences, suggesting that Terfel's Toscar could have been let in lightly making his handicap debut off a BHA rating of just 95. Open to any amount of improvement with just those three runs to his name, fitness...

[b]Clean Bowled[/b] has beaten Crowining Star (13:40) on his last two outings and there is no reason why he cannot repeat that feat in the opening race at Lingfield this afternoon. Clean Bowled has improved in recent weeks, joining Roger Curtis from Alan McCabe prior to his latest start, and, if reproducing the form of his last two victories in claimers, he looks booked for the hat-trick. Clean Bowled made the running last time, travelling well for much of the way and, in a small-field affair, he should be able to dictate the tempo once again. He looked in control from a long way out last time and was full value for the victory, something that will definitely hold him in good stead this afternoon given it is his third race in just over two weeks. [b]Avoncreek[/b] (17:30) demonstrated...

[b]Le Roi Rouge[/b] (13:20) can get us off to a good start after Hexham passed an 8am inspection this morning. The soft conditions and warning of wild weather should inconvenience racegoers far more than the Ferdy Murphy-trained nine year-old, who has gained all three of his British wins on ground described as soft or heavy, whilst his four wins in France all came on testing ground, too. Le Roi Rouge has run respectably on both starts this season, but his latest fourth at Wetherby coming over a distance that stretched his stamina. Today he faces a far more suitable trip and, with doubts surrounding the majority of his rivals, Le Roi Rouge looks to be a major player having dropped to a more than tempting mark. More often than not it pays to keep it simple and, simply put, [b]Kiss a Prince[/b]...

This afternoon's card at Plumpton is a good one and the most interesting bet looks to be [b]Cinderella Rose[/b] (13:40). Kim Bailey's runner is still only lightly raced, but she possesses a good strike-rate of three wins from seven starts and was fully entitled to have needed her recent return from a year off. Much better can be expected this afternoon and, although she does have to prove herself under softer conditions than previously, the form of her yard is certainly another positive for her. [b]Aquilifer[/b] (14:00) has won four of his six starts at Lingfield and the Elaine Burke-trained runner can further enhance his record with success there this afternoon. A 3 lb rise for last month's victory means there's more required from today's mark, but, although the winning distance was...

[b]Secret Witness[/b] is a tough sort who bounced right back to his best when touched off by Docofthebay in C&D listed event recently. Not as consistent as he was, so no banker to do as well again, and up again in the weights. [b]Five Star Junior[/b] is a hold-up sprinter who goes well on polytrack. Good effort at Dundalk last month, and though behind a few of these over C&D subsequently, is better off back in handicap now. [b]Arganil[/b] is a lazy sort who has been expensive to follow since Southwell success back in January. Has won here 3 times before but simply can't be trusted even for yard in good form. [b]Norville[/b] is a tough and genuine sort who goes well here. Has been campaigned fairly highly recently and may have needed first run back from a break last time. Interesting...