TimeformBlog

[b]Bated Breath[/b] emerged successful in Temple Stakes at Sandown on reappearance and beaten by only ¾ length in the King's Stand at Royal Ascot last time. Belated Group 1 success awaits here with conditions to suit. [b]Confessional[/b] stepped up on 5f handicap win at Chester in May when third in a Group 3 in July. Back-to-form fourth behind Ortensia 3 weeks ago having been below form here previously, but this requires more. [b]Dandy Boy's[/b] poor effort in July Cup easily excused (heavy ground) and best judged on his win in the Wokingham prior to that. Not short of speed but in at deep end on first attempt at 5f. [b]Hamish McGonagall[/b] is a smart performer who has got better with age, responding well when landing C&D listed event last month. Possibly unsuited by undulations...

[b]Bible Belt[/b] quickly made up into a smart filly last year, winning first 3 starts, and better for return when third in Group 3 at Leopardstown 2 weeks ago. More required back up in grade, though. [b]Shareta[/b] is one of the leading middle-distance fillies in France, runner-up in last year's Arc and placed all 3 starts this term, including when second of 4 to Meandre in Group 1 at Saint-Cloud last time. [b]Wild Coco[/b] is unexposed after just 6 career starts, and made a successful return from an absence of nearly a year when winning the Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood. A concern that this may come too soon. [b]Coquet[/b] quickly progressed to a useful level last term and has continued improvement in 2 runs this year, defying penalty at Goodwood before an unluckly in-running...

[b]Thomas Chippendale[/b] is most progressive, taking form up another notch with defeat of Noble Mission and Thought Worthy in King Edward at Royal Ascot last time. Has to concede 3 lb all round here but capable of better still. [b]Encke[/b] is a well-bred sort who has done very little wrong in 4 starts so far, only narrowly defeated by Noble Mission on Group-race debut at Goodwood last time. Another good run on the cards. [b]Energizer[/b] stepped up on previous efforts when landing 1¼m Group 3 at Royal Ascot in June. Snapped up by Godolphin and supplemented for this race since, but will need to improve for longer trip to take this. [b]Main Sequence[/b] won his first 4 starts, notably Lingfield Derby Trial, and went on to finish second to Camelot in the Derby. Didn't have run ...

[b]Hurricane Higgins[/b] made successful debut on polytrack in early 2011 but temperament has become increasingly suspect and passed over here, for all that he posted a sound effort at Newmarket last time. [b]The Betchworth Ki[/b]d is a hold-up sort who captured Nottingham listed race last spring. Failed to reproduce that level of form in 5 subsequent Flat starts in 2011, though, and looks vulnerable here. [b]Address Unknown[/b] won a pair of minor events and third in listed company last season for Dermot Weld. Not in same form in 3 starts for new yard, including when well held in Chester Cup (visored) and hard to fancy. [b]Merchant of Dubai[/b] made a fair start to 2011 campaign but not in top form after, despite creditable third in November Handicap. Tailed off on return in the...

[b]Be Fabulous[/b] was a late bloomer for Andre Fabre, winning minor/listed event before signing off with success in Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp. Penalty to carry but no surprise if she has even more to offer this term. [b]Arctic Cosmos[/b] is the 2010 St Leger winner who showed he retains ability when taking 1¼m listed race at Kempton on return. Shaped as if amiss on soft going next time but expected to bounce back with ground drying out. [b]Blue Bajan[/b] was better than ever for this stable last season, second in this race before landing Henry II Stakes at Sandown. Solid return when fourth at Nottingham, and trip inadequate next time. Each-way claims. [b]Electrolyser[/b] had run of things when winning listed event at Nottingham in April, but generally struggled in pattern company...

[b]Bonfire[/b] is a half-brother to Musidora winner Joviality, and looks a high-class colt himself, winning on debut before third, unlucky not to push French Fifteen closer, in French Group 1 in October. Big player. [b]Dream Tune[/b] cost €300,000 as a yearling and is from good family. Better than bare form of debut sixth at Newbury in October (1m) and improved when runner-up to Noble Mission (won since) on return. Lot more needed, though. [b]Ektihaam[/b] was most impressive when winning first 2 starts last year and can't have been right when disappointing in Dewhurst on final start. Won 1¼m minor event at Newbury on return, and needs considering. [b]Ernest Hemingway[/b] is bred to be smart, and could hardly have been more impressive when slamming rivals by 10 lengths in 10-runner...

[b]Definightly[/b] is a front runner who hit a rich vein of form in 2010. Placed in 3 Group 3's in 2011, and ran right up to best behind Mayson at Newmarket latest (5f). Step back up to 6f will suit, so frame claims. [b]Doncaster Rover[/b] races lazily but pretty consistent again last year, winning 7f listed race at York in August. Big career best needed to land this on reappearance, though, and others likelier. [b]Elnawin[/b] was better than ever when winning at Ascot/Salisbury around this time last year. Not seen since and more needed to take this, however, and Richard Hughes rides stablemate Libranno. [b]Hoof It[/b] was hugely progressive last year, putting up huge performance in Stewards Cup. Not seen to best effect in Nunthorpe (5f) here but bounced back to go down narrowly...

[b]Three for Friday from Timeform's Free Form Site...[/b] There's a pretty strong argument to be made that [b]Hoof It[/b] should be an even shorter-priced favourite than he currently is for this afternoon's Nunthorpe at York (15:40). The level of form he achieved when winning the Stewards' Cup is at least a couple of pounds better than anything any of his rivals can offer, the step back to five furlongs is undoubtedly not a problem, and he has already shown that York is a track that suits him. A lot of the runners in today's race have been taking turns to beat each other in recent seasons, others are plainly out of their depth. Hoof It is an exception on both counts and is worth backing at around the 4.0 mark. Two miles around a track like Market Rasen ought to have been a wholly...

[b]This year's Nunthorpe Stakes looks a very open renewal. Timeform give a runner-by-runner guide to the race...[/b] [b]Bated Breath[/b] made excellent progress in 2010 and better still this year, winning twice and going close in July Cup on latest outing. All runs have come at 6f, but likely to be just as effective at this trip. [b]Captain Dunne[/b] is a speedball who prefaced win in 'Dash' Handicap at Epsom last time out (had cheekpieces refitted) with a narrow second in Group 3 in France. Never better, but needs another leap forward here. [b]Hamish Mcgonagall[/b] is a tough sprinter who loves it here and has been performing with credit in pattern company of late, beaten narrowly into third by Masamah over C&D last month. This looks a bridge too far, though. [b]Hoof It[/b]...