TimeformBlog

Starting at Yarmouth, where [b]Blue Dune[/b] could benefit from the drop down to sprint distances as she makes her handicap debut in the Pleasurewood Hills Maiden Handicap at 14:35. The daughter of Invincible Spirit stepped up on her previous efforts when upped to an extended mile at Wolverhampton two weeks ago. Improvement is almost assured now she tackles this discipline and the drop to six furlongs should work in her favour. She makes plenty of appeal for a yard who are still in very good form. At Brighton, [b]Little Rainbow[/b] makes most appeal in the seven-furlong handicap at 14:45. The three-year-old daughter of King's Best looked much more at home at this trip when decisively landing a C&D fillies' handicap 13 days ago on good to soft ground. A 4 lb rise in the weights shouldn't...

[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]Mr David[/b] struggled to string 2 good runs together since his 6f Newmarket maiden win for Brian Meehan in 2009. Operating below best this season, and hopes rest on first-time blinkers galvanising him now. [b]Zacynthus[/b] is yet to recapture spark he showed for Mahmood Al Zarooni in 2011, finishing nearer last than first in 6 starts for Alan McCabe. Starts off for Luca Cumani now, but has plenty to prove. [b]Frognal[/b] was back to winning ways in C&D handicap in October and still on a fair mark. Entitled to come on for reappearance but not the most straightforward and others make more appeal. [b]Flynn's Boy[/b] was successful 3 times over 7f in 2011, and belatedly back to best when fourth of 15 over C&D last time. Not beaten far there, and a repeat would put him firmly in...

[b]Soap Wars[/b] won a Windsor handicap on last season's return, so fitness no great concern on first outing since October. Ended 2011 with fine second over C&D and one of the more interesting contenders. [b]Prime Exhibit[/b] has not won since July 2010, but shaped better at Newcastle on first start for new yard recently when racing on unfavoured part of track. Cheekpieces tried for the first time now and dropped in trip. [b]Piscean[/b] was a cosy winner of a couple of 7f polytrack handicaps earlier in the year. Held form well since, but better on an artificial surface and yet to win off a mark this high on turf. [b]Five Star Junior[/b] left the impression that he would soon cash in on his sliding mark when third to Palace Moon at Lingfield (6f) in February, but has rather lost...

[b]Loving Spirit[/b] looked a good prospect at 2yrs, winning 7f Newmarket maiden on debut. Struggled in 2011, but much more like it when sixth at Kempton on return. Fair run in face of very tough task last time. [b]The Confessor[/b] placed in some hot handicaps last year and still relatively lightly raced. Third on return at Lingfield in April but rare poor run last time and needs to bounce back to take this. [b]Greensward[/b] proved successful twice over this trip last autumn for Brian Meehan and bounced back to form at Haydock last time, unlucky not to finish closer when third of 12 to Tamareen at Haydock having met trouble. [b]Escape To Glory[/b] got back on the up returned to this trip when scoring with a bit up his sleeve at Folkestone in May. Wasn't in the same form at Newmarket...

[b]Al Khaleej[/b] is smart at best and signs that he still retained most of his ability last year. This an easier race than he's contested for a while and has gone well fresh in past. Heavy ground an unknown, though. [b]Noble Citizen[/b] has run quite a few good races at Ascot, ending a losing run over 6f there last July. On a fair mark but testing ground a major concern (raced mainly on good or firmer). [b]Mawaakef[/b]'s best effort for this yard when runner-up at Southwell (1m) in February, but overall profile far from convincing, beaten 19½ lengths into third under similar conditions at Sandown on Saturday. [b]Space Station[/b] was back to best in 7f Epsom handicap in June, landing race for second successive year. Below par on last month's return but usual blinkers back in ...

[b]Traveller's Tales[/b] showed significant improvement when second behind stable-companion Oprettist in a Salisbury maiden last time and, if continuing on an upward curve as expected, can be relied upon to give a good account in the nursery at Yarmouth (14:00). Traveller's Tales has so far shaped as if seven furlongs or even a mile is likely to be her favoured trip and her draw in stall 3 suggests she should be able to gain a favourable position, so, with Ryan Moore booked for the ride, she has an excellent chance of continuing trainer Richard Hannon's recent good run of form. [b]Grandioso[/b] showed some impressive bumper form in just two outings last season and, if able to translate the same of ability level to timber, should go very close on his first start for Betfair Ambassador...

[b]John Lightbody[/b] looked a useful prospect when beating Iceni Girl on debut at Sandown and is worth backing to get back on track in the minor event over a mile at Ayr (14:50). John Lightbody was upped in class for his second start, in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket, but he never looked comfortable against better company and on firmer ground than at Sandown. However, the fact that trainer Mark Johnston thought him good enough to be pitched into a Group 2 is more than significant and he can bounce back here with his sights considerably lowered. [b]Bu Naaji[/b] is another who has looked promising, showing himself to be most progressive when winning his last two starts and giving the impression that he still had something in reserve when winning a Salisbury nursery in August. The...

[b]Woolfall Treasure[/b] hasn't always been one for maximum faith, but doing little wrong at present, good efforts to be placed at Ascot and Salisbury in recent weeks, and not out of this if in similar mood. [b]Zuider Zee[/b] has been knocking on the door this season, and found bit more improvement when third in Old Borough Cup at Haydock last time. Got to be high on the shortlist. [b]Bay Willow[/b] is a front runner who scored at Meydan (11f) in February. No impact in 3 runs back on these shores this summer, although wide draw some excuse for poor showing at York last time. [b]Bowdler's Magic[/b] was twice successful at up to 1¾m in 2010. Down to last winning mark now and clearly signs he's ready to take advantage when close third at Chester last week, running on well from rear. [b]Huff...