TimeformBlog

Lord Buffhead sets the standard in the second of three six-furlong handicaps at Wolverhampton after his win in soft ground at Musselburgh last time, but with the suspicion he is best under such conditions he's taken on with Michael Bell's [b]Kai[/b] (16:00). Kai was well backed when making his first start in a handicap over the minimum trip at the track a month ago but found the trip inadequate, finishing with running left in a fourth-placed effort that was not without promise. If heavy ground was the reason for his flop at Yarmouth (never travelling) next time he's interesting in the hands of top all-weather rider Luke Morris from a low draw and with a visor on for the first time. Silvestre de Sousa's confidence must be high having ridden five winners in the last four days and he can...

First up today is the Jeremy Scott-trained [b]Pyleigh Lass[/b] (14.35), who makes her handicap debut off a fair-looking mark at Wincanton this afternoon. Pyleigh Lass showed promise in a pair of bumpers last season and put in a much better effort over hurdles when second to Holywell in a maiden at Chepstow last month. The step up in trip should suit and she is still unexposed. Next up is [b]Tarquinius[/b] (15:10), who resumed winning ways when easily landing a similar event at Lingfield in February by 13 lengths from Guydus. The handicapper has subsequently put him up 13 lb for that success, which of course makes life tougher, but he should be suited by longer trip at Wincanton today and remains well treated on some of his past form. Last but by no means least we come to [b]Douze ...

[b]Illustrious Forest[/b] (16:00) has shown vast improvement over today's course-and-distance on his last couple of starts and looks worth siding with again today. On his penultimate start here he easily accounted for Shirataki (comfortable winner from 2 lb higher since) by eight lengths, to which the handicapper responded by putting him up a stone in the weights. However, that failed to stop him following up, beating Royal Alcor by three quarters of a length here three weeks ago. He readily went clear of his rivals on the turn into the straight on that occasion, and the fact that he wandered around in the closing stages meant that his winning margin was eroded late on. That shouldn't detract from the fact that it was still ultimately a fairly comfortable victory, however, and he has every...

[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...

Silver Linnet looked as if she'd continue to prove well treated when landing a gamble on the first start for her new yard over today's distance at Kempton five days ago, but there are grounds to believe runner-up [b]Good Timin'[/b] (14:40) can reverse the form in the opening five-furlong handicap. Good Timin', who is joint-second top-rated for today's race (just 1 lb behind Silver Linnet), finished a length behind John Butler's mare last time yet has what could prove a decisive 6 lb swing in the weights. That was only the four-year-old's third start in a handicap and trainer David Brown clearly thought he had a big chance of shedding his maiden tag as he had booked Jamie Spencer for the ride, making today's recruitment of another leading jockey, Philip Makin, a further pointer to his claims....

[b]West End Lad[/b] won 3 times in 2011 and good 1¼ lengths second of 13 to Archie Rice (won again since) in C&D handicap last time. Shouldn't be far away once again. [b]Dubai Bounty[/b] is a lightly-raced 5-y-o who had come down the weights prior to resuming winning ways over C&D last time. Dashed clear of Dazzling Valentine that day and looks capable of defying a 5 lb higher mark. [b]Standpoint[/b] needed the drop to claiming company to gain a deserved success here in November. Rare below-par run earlier in the month and no surprise if he bounced straight back. [b]The Lock Master's[/b] last win came over C&D 13 months ago but plenty of fair efforts in defeat since, including getting going too late when fourth to Emma's Gift (won again since) here last time. [b]Reachforthebucks[/b]...

Amateur rider Becky Brisbourne has ridden five winners from just 22 rides in the last five seasons, all of them for her father Mark, and the pair enjoy a 25% strike rate and a very healthy level-stakes profit when combining. The father/daughter partnership team up with [b]Harrys Yer Man[/b] (13:15) this afternoon, and Thursday's Wolverhampton winner looks to have a great chance of following up in the opening handicap at Southwell. The change of surface is a slight concern, but such was the manner of the unexposed eight-year-old's gambled-on victory five days ago that he's given a chance to prove he's well ahead of the handicapper in a race that isn't going to take much winning. Another intriguing jockey booking comes aboard [b]Steelcut[/b] (14:00) in the five-furlong handicap at Wolverhampton...

[b]Alben Star[/b] was well backed to win C&D handicap on return and even better in defeat at Lingfield since when fast-finishing ½-length second to Seek The Fair Land. Boasts superb strike rate and has even more to offer. [b]Capone's[/b] best runs in 2011 came on AW, winning handicaps at Kempton/Lingfield. Clicked for new trainer when good third of 12 to Oasis Dancer on return at last-named track and leading claims at the weights. [b]Elna Bright[/b] produced a career-best to take C&D handicap in November and not far off that level when 1½ lengths second of 7 to Palace Moon in 7f minor event at Kempton last time. Bit to find on form. [b]Little Garcon[/b] was progressive in 2010 when success in 6f Ascot handicap was the highlight. No recent form, well behind second-home Alben Star...

First up is the Bryan Smart-trained [b]Bond Style[/b] (15:00) at Southwell, who produced his best effort yet when switched to the surface when a rallying third over six furlongs in December. Today's return to a furlong further should suit Bond Style, and he looks a good bet to get off the mark with the first-time cheekpieces expected to enable him to pull out a tad more. [b]Star Links[/b], who goes in the 15:50 at Wolverhampton, is a three-time course winner who has largely run with credit since regaining the winning thread over a mile at Naas in August. Star Links was a close third to Tarooq over course and distance when last seen in November and the 2 lb rise for that effort looks fair given that the form has worked out well since. A big run looks on the cards this afternoon. Last...