TimeformBlog

[b]Placepot success for Timeform colleague Matt Gardner yesterday gives Paul Goodenough plenty of confidence ahead of his permutation at Windsor this evening...[/b] [b]17:30[/b] - Only eight declared for this apprentice riders event, but a tough conundrum to crack nevertheless. Glass Mountain has been more miss than hit this year, but as a result his mark has dropped to a winnable one and he had one of his going days when last seen at Sandown recently. Lawney Hill's Royal Etiquette had an unfortunate experience on his last visit here four weeks ago, unseating his rider coming out of the stalls, but, on the basis that was a one-off, he warrants inclusion judged on his two good runs (both here) immediately preceeding that. [b]18:00[/b] - Richard Hannon runs a couple in the 6f maiden...

[b]14:15[/b] - The step back up in trip should suit Lincolnrose this afternoon and he can confirm the form over Stripped Bear having finished ahead of that rival last week. Lincolnrose remains open to progression over the distance on offer and it would be a surprise were he to finish outside of the first two. [b]14:45[/b] - The maiden auction stakes is likely to prove difficult to negotiate and it could be worth siding with two selections in a seven runner affair. The two that get the nod are Bix, who could be better than his last three runs give credit for, and Lexington Blue, an interesting newcomer from a respected stable. [b]15:15[/b] - A claimer is never an easy leg but Upper Lambourn and Bold Marc are the two worth taking, the pair considered superior to their rivals based on...

[b]14:15[/b] - Tenancy is Timeform top-rated for the opening race of the afternoon at Brighton, considered 4 lb superior to his nearest rival, and he looks a good choice in what's a potentially tricky handicap. His lack of consistency would be a slight worry for backers, however, and Louphole is also taken, that one arguably better than his recent form suggests. He could be an interesting proposition dropped back to six furlongs and racing on turf once again and hopefully the pair will be good enough to see us through. [b]14:45[/b] - Perfect Honour has decent C&D form, including when second here last week, and he can go well once again at a venue where he tends to thrive. The first-time cheekpieces seemed to work on his latest outing but it remains to be seen whether this inconsistent...

[b]18:20[/b] - An apprentices' handicap is never an easy way to start the placepot and this doesn't offer any exception in what could develop into a trappy affair. Do More Business at least arrives in good form and he looks a solid selection in a race where he is Timeform top-rated, whilst Scarborough Lily is arguably the most likely alternative winner. The pair should be good enough to see us through given their consistency. [b]18:50[/b] - Steady Gaze is Timeform top-rated and has three from three course-and-distance successes to his name making him a banker selection in the second race. The 11 runners mean that the first three places pay and it would be a surprise if Steady Gaze wasn't to feature in the finish at a course he clearly acts well around. [b]19:20[/b] - The maiden doesn't...

[b]13:40[/b] - A tricky-looking maiden with the majority unraced isn't the perfect way to start a placepot but experience is likely to count for plenty and we're going to take the pair who have already had an outing. Annie's Fortune and Summer Isles both made encouraging debuts and are expected to improve for the run, whilst the form of the latter's debut has worked out fairly well. [b]14:10[/b] - Athenian and Isola Verde are both well handicapped and open to more progress than their rivals, so they look obvious choices in the second leg. Athenian was a selection in Monday's placepot when she landed a fillies' stakes at Chepstow and looks the type to go close on her hat-trick bid. Isola Verde won her one and only start at Redcar and there should be plenty more to come from the filly. [b]14:45[/b]...

[b]18:15[/b] - The Richard Hannon-trained Rhamnus made a most encouraging start when second at Newmarket last month, beaten just half a length by Fortinbrass but likely to have won had he not forfeited around five lengths at the start, and he looks capable of gaining compensation for that defeat. Uncomplicated has finished runner-up on both starts to date, arguably making her effort earlier than ideal when run down on collared close home on the latter occasion, and she could still make some improvement. [b]18:50[/b] - Expose, trained by William Haggas, built on his racecourse debut when easily winning at Wolverhampton in September 2010. His most recent start, in this month last year, saw him comfortably land a Newmarket handicap on his first start at five furlongs and he has to be included...

[b]14:50[/b] - It's difficult for front runners to go too fast on the inner loop at Kempton, so Novabridge looks a solid starting point given he'll likely have the run of things from the inside stall. The other interesting one is Black Cadillac. He's unexposed, in good hands, and his latest second over six furlongs here suggests he's well handicapped, too. [b]15:20[/b] - This is a rotten race for placepot purposes, most of the runners with form closely matched. The best thing to do is probably to take on likely favourite Beau Duke with the fit and in-form duo Red Shuttle and Santadelacruze. [b]15:50[/b] - Casual Mover was an impressive winner (in a good time) at Lingfield last time and is probably still ahead of his mark after a 5 lb rise. He's clearly worth including, but there's...

[b]14:30[/b] - Dark Shadow looks like a sensible selection in the opening novice hurdle, with his form to date over obstacles looking just about the most solid on offer. With the defection of Hoare Abbey, Nicky Henderson's five-year-old goes is as a banker. [b]15:00[/b] - The first of a few tricky seven-runner - and so only two places - races on the card, and it could pay to play things safe with the two 'obvious' ones. Tiger O'Toole was a decent hurdler and shaped better on his latest chase start over two miles, giving the imrpession that he'd appreciate this step up to two and a half miles. U B Carefull posted solid efforts on his first three completed starts over fences, and seemed to get bogged down in heavy ground last time. With a break to freshen him up and the return to a sounder...

[b]13:40[/b] - Now, a 16-runner Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle is not normally a situation in which I would encourage a banker, but it will be extremely disappointing if That's Some Milan cannot make the frame here. A former point-winner, the selection should be suited by the step up to three miles today and is open to further improvement on his handicap debut. [b]14:10[/b] - Next up is the novice hurdle and Dildar, who showed fair form on the Flat in France, is likely to go off a short-priced favourite here but he must be included given his connections and the fact he receives weight all round. This is Dildar's hurdling debut, however, so we will also side with Constant Contact who shaped well in a very strong event at Newbury last month and is entitled to improve for that experience. [b]14:40[/b]...