TimeformBlog

[b]Henry Clay[/b] continued his gradual improvement when digging deep for third win at Warwick (11f) recently. May yet have more to offer under his penalty, but worryingly below par only previous try in the mud. [b]I'm Super Too's[/b] 4 wins have been gained here, including this race last year. Back on track when dead heating for second over this C&D in July and no surprise if he bounced back from a rare blip last time. [b]El Bravo[/b] won a 1½m maiden at Wolverhampton in 2009 for Gary Moore. Failed to add to tally in France last year and passed over following low-key start to life with this yard at Southwell recently. [b]Another For Joe[/b] was much improved when making all in 9f minor event here in June. Narrowly found one too good 2 of 3 starts in handicaps since and very much...

[b]Ed De Gas[/b] won first 3 starts, and bounced back from a below-par effort in the Lingfield Derby Trial when third in the 2m Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot. Should go well again despite drop back in trip. [b]Fennell Bay[/b] has been largely progressive since joining this yard, gaining fourth win of year in King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot. Well held last time, however, and must bounce back to have any chance here. [b]Goldoni[/b] improved at 1¼m this year, landing heavy-ground Epsom Derby Trial in April, and back to form when a creditable sixth of 10 in Royal Ascot Group 3 last time. Vulnerable to improvers. [b]New Youmzain[/b] is bred on same lines as same connections' high-class middle-distance performer Youmzain, and improved on debut effort when taking a 1½m Thirsk maiden...

[b]Uphold[/b] has won twice at up to a mile and a half this season and was a good second over a mile at Lingfield on his penultimate start. He wasn't at his best when unable to dominate last time and could find this too tough. [b]Line of Duty[/b] took another step forward when winning a big-field mile-and-a-half handicap in May and has since run well in defeat when third at Ayr. He will face competition for the lead here, but still doesn't have many miles on the clock. [b]Easy Terms[/b] has been a revelation for her thriving stable, completing at four-timer under this rider in the Cumberland Plate when last seen two months ago. She has been given a break and there's a chance she'll have more to offer with conditions to suit. [b]Butler[/b] struck at just the second time of asking...

[b]Mungo Park[/b] is a member of this year's Timeform Horses to Follow, and there were definite concerns that he would be one of those in the minority that sink without trace after not being seen out until last week. In the event, those fears were allayed with a promising third in a 10-furlong maiden at Warwick and Mungo Park looks to have been found an ideal opportunity to open his account at Hamilton (15:05). Mungo Park is a big, unfurnished colt who was always likely to make up into a middle-distance three-year-old, so it's encouraging that he shaped with such definite promise in two maidens in 2010. His reappearance effort at Warwick represented a big step forward on that form and there's good reason to think he'll prove capable of further progress, considerably more so than today's...

[b]18:00[/b] - A very tough race to start with, but the angle into it is that there's probably going to be a strong pace, suiting both last-time-out winner North Central and last year's winner of this race Ivestar, who seems to have been lined up for it once more. [b]18:30[/b] - Now it becomes a bit easier as Sharp Sovereign is as genuine as they come and has shaped as if in form despite sliding in the weights this year. Down to a lesser grade of handicap now, he holds strong claims of making all. Dean Iarracht is another one who's slipped back to a good mark and shaped as if back in form at Newcastle last time. [b]19:00[/b] - There's no questioning that the five-furlong handicap for three-year-olds is a very bad race, but at least Dotty Darroch stands out as by far the most solid,...

[b]Udabaa[/b] (14:20) can get punters off to a flyer at Haydock Park. The Marcus Tregoning-trained four-year-old is clearly well-regarded, having been sent off favourite on three of his six starts so far, and could be set to make up for lost time judged on his two efforts this year. He's finished placed in two of the hottest handicaps of the season, chasing home smart prospect Modun on his return at Newbury and then the progressive Rock A Doodle Doo and Blissful Moment at Ascot. It looks calmer waters today and if the fitting of cheekpieces can bring about improvement, Udabaa could prove hard to beat. [b]Kitty Wells[/b] (15:20) looked most unlucky not to make a winning return at Haydock Park last month and can gain compensation this afternoon. The sister to the 2001 St Leger hero Milan...