TimeformBlog

[b]Diaminda[/b] is a Diamond Green half-sister to smart sprinter Fayr Jag. Made very promising debut at Doncaster (6f) in June and confirmed that with smooth success at Ascot last time. Remains capable of better. [b]Dream Maker[/b] won a Bath maiden and Chester nursery last month. Has run as well as could be expected in stronger races since and this slightly easier. Still probably not quite up to this standard though. [b]El Manati[/b] is a half-sister to useful sprinter Kellys Eye. Some promise when fourth at Newmarket on debut, disadvantaged by the run of the race, and looked good prospect at Leicester last month. More to come. [b]Graphic Quest[/b] has quickly developed into a useful filly, winning 2 small-field events at Ascot and Windsor in the spring. Came up short in the Queen...

[b]Rocktherunway[/b] took advantage of a simple task when finally getting off the mark in Newcastle maiden in May but followed that up by landing competitive 1½m Musselburgh handicap. Good second at Haydock last time and couldn't discount. [b]Kiwayu[/b] left his 2-y-o form behind upped in trip, tongue tied and switched to handicaps when routing rivals at Lingfield last month. That form has worked out and he can defy 12 lb rise. [b]Trend Is My Frien[/b]d is another who improved for switch to handicaps when outstaying rivals at Sandown (1¼m) in July. Well held upped to this trip at Goodwood last time though and others make more appeal. [b]Little Dutch Girl[/b] landed a gamble on debut at Chepstow (1m, soft) last August and gained first success this year when scoring at Ffos Las...

[b]Today's SmartPlays bring you two selections from Beverley and a visit to Salisbury for their main event...[/b] Attempting a four-timer, [b]Fear Nothing[/b] (15:50) will have to overcome his new BHA mark of 73 after his latest win over C&D two weeks ago. On the evidence of his last run, when one and a quarter lengths in front of Indian Trail, that shouldn't be a problem, again under David Bergin and against a similar standard of opposition. Fear Nothing is thriving on his racing, and in a race that may not take all that much winning, should come out on top. [b]Emirates Queen[/b] (16:05) looks set to rule over her listed-class opposition in the best race of the day at Salisbury. Luca Cumani's filly is the least exposed of the group, but has already proved herself in this company...

It's arguably Carlisle's biggest day of the year, with both the Carlisle Bell and Cumberland Plate drawing attention to Cumbria as on no other day in the racing calendar. We're not touching either of the big races, though in the consolation race for the Bell, held at 15:00, [b]Lockantanks[/b] represents a great bet. Largely progressive over the winter, the Michael Appleby-trained gelding looked to be right back in the swing of things when an unlucky third at Doncaster recently, hampered at a vital stage as he went down to Levitate and subsequent winner Ingleby Exceed. In off the same mark here (which is fully a stone lower than his official rating on all-weather), Lockantanks has leading claims to go two better. We switch to Salisbury for our second selection, again foregoing the feature...

[b]Mawaakef[/b] bounced back from poor effort at Sandown to score in 7f Yarmouth handicap 3 days later. Excellent second at Epsom last time (clear of the third) but up 8 lb as a result. [b]George Guru[/b] is lightly raced and has taken form to a new level on AW this winter, winning 3 times. Suggested he would prove as good on turf when sixth at Sandown last time, but slower ground a worry. [b]Norse Blues[/b] produced more than respectable efforts in handicaps off this mark since regaining winning thread at Doncaster (1m) in March, but likely to be found wanting again all the same. [b]Vainglory[/b] bagged 1m handicap at York in October and signs of return to form on last 2 starts. On a competitive mark and shouldn't mind conditions, so dangerous to rule out. [b]Shifting Star[/b]...

[b]Spanish Pride[/b] was the impressive winner of a Folkestone maiden and looked to be a two-year-old going places in 2010 before a setback forced her off for almost a year off. She shaped with plenty of promise on her 2011 seasonal reappearance, however, staying on strongly under a considerate ride at the end of a mile contest to finish fifth behind Watneya at Sandown. She seemed amiss on her following start, but was seen in a better light in her one and only subsequent race at Nottingham, where it looked as though she could be capable of progression if kept right. Both that performance, and her display at Sandown, suggested that today's step up in trip to ten furlongs could bring about sufficient improvement to see her go close off what looks a lenient mark in the 17:00 at Salisbury. ...

[b]Lord Zenit[/b]h landed a 1m listed race at Lingfield on 2010 return. Managed only half a dozen runs since and not added to that success, shaping as if all wasn't well when last seen at Epsom in July. [b]Mabait[/b] is a smart performer who won a handicap at Sandown and listed race at Pontefract (dead-heated with Rio de La Plata) in 2010. Indifferent record at Meydan early this year and long absence to overcome. [b]Al Aasifh[/b] showed useful form at 2 yrs and has been just as good this season, his one below-par effort coming when cheekpieces were left off. Limitations seemingly exposed, however, and needs others to underperform. [b]Inler[/b] landed a 7f minor event at Doncaster on his final 2010 outing. Blown hot and cold again this year, but some encouragement last time after...

[b]Byrd In Hand[/b] can get us off to a good start this afternoon by taking what, admittedly, seems a fairly open handicap (14:10). John Bridger's four-year-old has appeared nine times this season, including a fine second in a nine-furlong handicap at Goodwood just four days ago where he looked the winner over a furlong out, and is now down to a mark below that of his latest victory. The drop back in trip to a mile this afternoon should be to his favour and he can see off the likes of Dannios, who has gone up significantly in the weights for his recent performances and could now be vulnerable. Inetrobil and Pimpernel set the standard in the six-furlongs listed Dick Poole Stakes (15:50), but the unexposed [b]Dreamwriter[/b] can improve past them and follow-up her ready maiden win at Newbury....

[b]Cockney Fire[/b] was typical of one from this stable in that she was fast out the blocks, winning twice over five furlongs in the spring. She was off three months prior to a lesser effort at this level at Newbury last time and this isn't any easier. [b]Dreamwriter[/b] is a scopey sort who belied apparent second-string status when a taking winner of a six-furlong Newbury maiden on debut 19 days ago. She is open to considerable improvement and tops the shortlist. [b]Elbe[/b] didn't need to be at her best when opening her account at Bath in July. She has finished third in a couple of minor events since, but has work to do with all of these on what she's achieved to date. [b]Inetrobil[/b] left the form of her Redcar maiden win well behind when filling the frame in a couple of pattern...