TimeformBlog

[b]Falasteen[/b] had multiple trainers during career to date, and not gone on from promise of his debut for current yard. Well held at Bath last time, and hard to support for all this represents an easier task. [b]Bouncy Bouncy[/b] has been hit and miss since regaining winning thread at Yarmouth (5f) in April, and may have been helped by run of race when a respectable third of 9 at Ffos Las after a break last month. More needed now. [b]Quaroma[/b] has been lightly-raced in recent years, and probably not the force of old, but easy to forgive latest effort on heavy ground at Ayr, and claims if building on promise of previous couple of starts this year. [b]Cardinal[/b] was successful twice in June, at Windsor (6f) and Sandown (5f), both with some ease in the ground. Back to form after...

[b]Today's SmartPlays come from this evening's meetings at Nottingham and Yarmouth. Let's hope they are worth the wait...[/b] [b]Dannios[/b] is making a name for himself as somewhat of a Yarmouth course-specialist and he can stretch his unbeaten run at the track to five wins (17:35). Something about the seaside air must inspire Ed Walker's gelding, who had finished last season in poor form, having been asked to race at venues away from Yarmouth, but he managed to defy a ten-month absence when making his seasonal reappearance here last week. Dannios deserves credit for managing to win, having allowed his rival to gain first run, and the fact he reappears without a penalty, due to last week's contest being an apprentices' event, makes him of obvious interest here. Staying at Yarmouth,...

[b]Bay Knight[/b] was a durable front-runner for Kevin Condon in Ireland last year, winning a minor event at Tipperary. Not yet fully firing for new yard and can't be supported until showing more spark. [b]Dubai Dynamo[/b] is a tough and useful handicapper who got back to winning ways in 1m Ripon handicap in May. Not at best there since and plenty on his plate here. [b]Invisible Man[/b] put up several creditable efforts in 2011, third in the Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot and runner-up in Turkish Group 2 in September. Ran well on reappearance that season and looks sure to make bold bid here. [b]Rodrigo de Torres[/b] won 7f minor event at Doncaster in 2010. Returned in good form when twice runner-up but ran poorly at Ascot last time and even return to very best unlikely to be good enough...

[b]Eluding[/b] showed similar form when placed in 3 maidens in October/November, beaten at odds-on at Wolverhampton when last seen. Not impossibly treated on handicap debut and step up in trip should suit. [b]Dulkashe[/b] was a €120,000 yearling who put in an eye-catching effort on introduction at Salisbury (7f) in September. Improved on both subsequent runs and any further progress for longer trip will see her go close. [b]Corsetry[/b] is a half-sister to Oaks winner Light Shift and Tattersalls Gold Cup winner Shiva. Definite signs of ability in maidens but hasn't been let in lightly on handicap debut. May still improve, though. [b]Rhythmic[/b] landed a 1m Doncaster maiden on second start for Godolphin at 2 yrs. Respectable effort on return/debut for new yard on AW at Lingfield...

[b]Address Unknown[/b] was successful in pair of minor events and third in listed company last season for Dermot Weld. However, below form on final outing and without usual blinkers and tongue tie on debut for new yard. [b]Blue Bajan[/b] was better than ever for this stable last season, landing Henry II Stakes at Sandown and close third in Goodwood Cup. Not at best final 2 starts, but no surprise to see him bounce back on return. [b]Dandino[/b] showed continued improvement early last year, winning Group 2 at Newmarket and not discredited in top company thereafter. Below par on final start, but one to beat if new yard have him back to best. [b]Electrolyser[/b] generally struggled in pattern company last year despite running respectably, and similar story in Dubai over the winter....

Nottingham's feature race is an interesting minor event, in which Sarrsar and King Torus may be the pick at the weights, but the thriving [b]Stevie Thunder[/b] (14:30) makes the most appeal. The Ian Williams-trained six year old has won twice this year, at Newmarket and Ripon, and has followed up with placed efforts in both the Cambridgeshire and a minor contest at Newmarket. He really is at the top of his game at the moment and will have no problems with the softer conditions so, with doubts surrounding his two main rivals in view of their lacklustre recent efforts, Stevie Thunder looks to have an excellent chance of sealing his third win of the campaign. [b]Smart Step's[/b] (15:05) career has taken off of late, looking a real mudlark when making it three wins from her last four starts...

Our first selection takes us to Nottingham, where the well-treated [b]Igoyougo[/b] (13:30) can kick-start the afternoon by taking the five- furlong handicap. His last two wins have both come off marks higher than today's and, although he has been largely disappointing this season, his second at Redcar last time was a good effort and one which suggested that he ought to be scoring sooner rather than later. Trainer Noel Wilson has saddled just the one runner at the track this year, which resulted in a win, and Igoyougo looks to have every chance of adding to that tally. The 15:25 at Haydock is where we find our second selection, namely [b]Perpetually[/b], who looks to have been found a good opportunity to add to his hurdling debut win at Huntingdon. He was a fair performer on the flat...

Our first selection takes us to Nottingham, where [b]Boundless Spirit[/b] (14:10) can return to winning ways. Boundless Spirit's last win, a five-furlong handicap at Hamilton in July, came off just a 1lb higher mark and, with his latest performance easily forgiven, he could go close in a race that promises to be run to suit his hold-up style. Later on the same card, [b]Sunley Pride[/b] (16:20) can get off the mark at the third time of asking in the mile maiden. Sunley Pride sets a good standard on his recent Newmarket second to the promising Godolphin colt Encke, a performance that was a significant improvement on his debut, and a repeat of that may well be enough today. There are a few interesting opponents lining up against him, but experience is often an advantage in this type of ...

[b]Three more selections from the Timeform Free Form Website, with the bet of the day at Nottingham this evening...[/b] [b]Spock[/b] ran-out and was beaten favourite on his latest start, but he can put that misdemeanor behind him at [b]Newton Abbot[/b] this afternoon (14:45) and land the handicap chase. He was fortunate to open his account at Stratford on his penultimate start, with the leader crashing out at the last fence, but Spock is still open to improvement and possibly a little better than his current mark gives him credit for. Paul Nicholls has been in very good from so far this season, with a 35% strike rate, and this gelding is capable of adding to his list of winners. Of the others, Horseshoe Reef is likely to provide the greatest challenge, given his return to form of late,...