TimeformBlog

[b]Dragonera[/b] has produced consistent efforts since winning at Doncaster (1¼m) in April, acquitting herself well when second in a listed race at Warwick last time. Proven on heavy ground, and not easily dismissed. [b]Law of the Range[/b] is a genuine and reliable sort who was progressive in 2011, winning 3 times including in this contest. Not discredited in pattern company this year and has claims, for all very soft ground is a concern. [b]Madam Macie[/b] benefited from return to front-running tactics when winning at Carlisle and Hamilton last month, looking better than ever when gaining latter win on soft ground. Worth her place at this level. [b]Making Eyes[/b] is a strong traveller who won twice last summer and back to best when finishing well to make winning return over...

[b]Rafeej[/b] was unbeaten at 2 yrs, winning Bath maiden and Ffos Las nursery. Good ¾-length fourth of 16 to Mince in Newmarket handicap at this trip last month after flopping on return, and respected. [b]Springinmystep[/b] built on earlier promise when winning 5f maiden at Beverley last term. Solid effort on return over C&D last month, though disappointed since over same trip at Ayr. Tongue tie back on. [b]Waseem Faris[/b] won Bath maiden on debut last summer, and has acquitted himself respectably on most starts since, including at Haydock last month, though simply seems in the handicapper's grip as things stand. [b]Orders From Rome[/b] ran a blinder when sixth in Super Sprint at Newbury last July, and finally broke his duck in 5f maiden at Southwell last month, beating Demora...

[b]Victoire de Lyphar[/b] enjoyed excellent first season for David Nicholls, signing off with second in Ayr Gold Cup. Didn't show much last year though, and this ground might be too soft for him on return. [b]Nasri[/b] was rejuvenated by move to this yard in 2011, winning at Musselburgh and Hamilton. Didn't run too badly on reappearance but although he has won on soft, he is probably better on a sounder surface. [b]Citrus Star[/b] had a quiet year on turf but looked a natural on the AW when overcoming a wide draw in emphatic fashion at Lingfield in October. Not at best when last seen though and ground a concern. [b]Mirza[/b] put up eespectable efforts all starts following his back-to-form win at Haydock (6f) in August. Well backed when landing a Newbury handicap on Friday and should...

[b]Suits Me[/b] is a veteran handicapper who was successful over C&D last summer off a 9 lb lower mark and also runner-up in September. Not at best in Dubai the last twice, but does have conditions to suit. [b]Beaumont's Party[/b] took form to a new level when running away with Chester handicap in May and some good efforts subsequently. Been disappointing over hurdles for this yard though, and others preferred. [b]Deauville Flyer[/b] was successful twice at up to 2m at York in 2010, and he ran just as well last year without winning. Likely to find this an insufficient test on his seasonal reappearance. [b]Northside Prince[/b] was a winner over C&D on way to landing hat-trick in 2010 and ran better than form suggests last season. Disappointed sole start over hurdles this winter,...

The form of [b]Blanc de Chine[/b]'s latest outing, a second over course and distance, received a boost on Friday when winner Ballesteros followed up in a competitive nursery at Haydock, and Peter Makin's filly has a fine chance of getting off the mark in the maiden that opens proceedings at Windsor this afternoon. Caught only close home in the aforementioned race earlier this month, Blanc de Chine should be hard to catch with similar tactics likely to be employed and can get SmartPlays' week off to a winning start. The next betting opportunity comes just ten minutes later in the form of [b]Desert Philosopher[/b] at Pontefract. Despite showing signs of inexperience, the son of Pastoral Pursuits finished third at Warwick last month on debut, and the form of the race looks fairly solid ...

[b]Al Saham[/b] is an Authorized colt out of a temperamental 1¼m winner (stayed 1½m). 12/1 when making a winning debut at Newcastle last month when going clear under hands and heels and looks a useful prospect. [b]Cravat[/b] has had plenty of racing but he's improved lately, winning Chester nursery in September and following up in Leicester minor event last week. Tries 1m now and dangerous to rule out in current mood. [b]Letsgoroundagain[/b] got off the mark in Haydock maiden in July and acquitted himself well in stronger company since, fifth in 7f Newmarket Group 3 last time. Will be well suited by this step up to 1m. [b]Mister Music[/b] won a Sandown maiden in July but had to wait until Epsom last month to add a second success. Respected with his stamina proven but more exposed...

[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...

A close inspection of this year's statistics confirms that Roger Varian has just about the best strike-rate around at present and [b]Dark Promise[/b], who won a handicap over this trip in fine style on her reappearance, could well be adding to the up-and-coming trainer's fine spell in the listed Pipalong Stakes at Pontefract this afternoon. She looks to have the requisite ability to make her mark in listed company and is open to much more improvement than the likes of Off Chance and Folly Bridge this afternoon. [b]Maxamillion Bounty[/b] bumped into a big Mark Johnston improver when runner-up in a maiden at Hamilton last time and should find the switch to handicap company more to his liking, particularly with the slight drop in trip expected to suit judged on the way he tired after making...

[b]Dark Promise[/b] is a progressive filly who rounded off 2010 with two wins in mile-and-a-quarter handicaps at Lingfield, and took a big step forward when running away with a similar event over a mile at Newmarket last time. She still has more to offer. [b]Folly Bridge[/b] progressed into a useful performer in 2010, winning two handicaps over six and seven furlongs. She struggled in this grade on her reappearance, but has since won a handicap in good style and looks worth another try at this level. Her stamina for the trip is unproven. [b]Fontley[/b] landed a brace over handicaps over a mile at Sandown last summer. She ran well under top weight in a handicap at Ascot on her reappearance but has been below form in two outings since and others here look open to more improvement. [b]Gobama[/b]...