TimeformBlog

Lord Buffhead sets the standard in the second of three six-furlong handicaps at Wolverhampton after his win in soft ground at Musselburgh last time, but with the suspicion he is best under such conditions he's taken on with Michael Bell's [b]Kai[/b] (16:00). Kai was well backed when making his first start in a handicap over the minimum trip at the track a month ago but found the trip inadequate, finishing with running left in a fourth-placed effort that was not without promise. If heavy ground was the reason for his flop at Yarmouth (never travelling) next time he's interesting in the hands of top all-weather rider Luke Morris from a low draw and with a visor on for the first time. Silvestre de Sousa's confidence must be high having ridden five winners in the last four days and he can...

[b]Nosedive[/b] won at Newmarket in 2010 for Richard Guest, and not disgraced in listed company afterwards. Spark missing after a long absence for new yard at Chester recently, but bound to be sharper this time. [b]Azzurra Du Caprio[/b] added a couple more sprint handicaps to her tally at Doncaster in 2011. Below par when signing off in September, but dangerous to discount having won first-time out last year. [b]Master Rooney[/b] has enjoyed a mixed bag since regaining winning thread at Beverley (5f) in July. Low key start to new camapign at that venue last month, though, and remains vulnerable to better treated rivals. [b]Another Wise Kid[/b] enjoyed fine 2011, winning on 4 occasions, last one coming at Ripon (5f) in September. Shaped as if last month's reappearance would bring...

Today's conditions will hold no fears for [b]Chester Aristocrat[/b] (14:00) in the opener at Redcar. The Eric Alston-trained gelding has steadily improved with each race as he has stepped up in trip, and, having shown signs of ability in his first three starts in maidens, he began to put it all together at Haydock last time when splitting subsequent winners, Take Two and Warfare, over a mile on his handicap debut. That was on soft ground, highlighting that he should have no problems with today's surface, and he races off a BHA mark only 1 lb higher than for his Haydock effort. The three-year-old steps up another furlong in distance and has to be taken seriously. Gary Moore's horses having been running respectably of late, recording three wins in the last two weeks, and it is always significant...

[b]Hamoody[/b] established himself as a useful handicapper in the last few seasons, winning over 5f at Goodwood in July 2010. Restricted to just 6 runs last year, and entitled to need this on reappearance. [b]Fast Shot[/b] was much improved when landing 3 6f handicaps last summer, including here, and ended the year with a career best at Catterick. Starts this term 23 lb above last season's opening mark. [b]Arganil[/b] is a lazy sort who has been expensive to follow since Southwell success back in January 2011. Not as effective on turf, but has a lower mark to exploit and can go well fresh. [b]Able Master[/b] was a pretty smart performer for Bryan Smart in 2009 but been in decline for a good while. Allowed to leave Jeremy Gask on the cheap, but very much the sort his new yard excels...

[b]Elspeth's Boy[/b] (13:40) hasn't reproduced the same level of form he demonstrated to land a maiden at Wolverhampton in 2009, but he has had his sights lowered to selling company for the first time this afternoon and should be able to give a good account of himself. Connections obviously had high hopes for Elspeth's Boy earlier in his career, racing him in the 2010 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on just his second start, and at the weights he definitely looks the one to beat this afternoon against some very modest competition. He has shown promise on two of his three starts this year, despite racing too keenly at times, and should retain enough ability to be competitive in this type of contest. His main danger will come in the form of Kingswinford, but that opponent aside, Elspeth's Boy is...

[b]14.00[/b] - All of these have experience in this opening maiden, but none of them have shown enough in form terms to make them banker material and we'll need a couple to make it through. Ingleby Angel is the first selection, open to improvement after his second at Southwell last month, but fibresand promise isn't always confirmed on turf, so we also include Lexi's Prince, who won't need to find much for the application of a visor in order to figure. [b]14.30[/b] - Atyaab should be capable of winning this maiden on the best of her form for Dermot Weld, but her attitude became an issue during the second half of 2010 and she has something to prove starting out for Alan Swinbank. Therefore, it makes sense to also include Let's Face Facts, who finished off well on her reappearance, and...

[b]Kiwi Bay[/b] gained the first of his two wins last season in this corresponding race, beating a few of these. There were signs last time that he might be on the way back and he can't be dismissed at his favoured venue. [b]Ginger Jack[/b] gradually climbed the ranks in handicaps last year, winning four times for Mark Johnston. Two runs this season haven't got to the bottom of him and he's edging back down in the weights. [b]Boom And Bust's[/b] form has taken off this term , making all in mile handicaps at Bath and Newbury. He meets tougher company here, but is straightforward and will be dangerous if allowed his own way in front. [b]Reel Buddy Star[/b] made all to land successive handicaps over a mile last summer. He has run respectably the last twice and conditions are ideal,...

[b]14:30[/b] - Both of this afternoon's meetings begin with juvenile maidens, and with Redcar's opener looking that bit easier than Leicester's offering, our Placepot location is decided. Angel Kiss showed a modicum of ability on her debut and, in what looks a weak race, should be competitive with that experience behind her, whilst Kevin Ryan has had nine wins from his juveniles so far this year and his Inetrobil could easily be another. [b]15:00[/b] - It's the usual quandary in a seller - take the class act knowing that he has issues that could affect his performance, in this case temperament, or try to get him beat with a couple who are poor yet consistent? With a lack of the latter type of horse and the fact that Frognal is dropping into this company for the first time, the former...

[b]Hamoody[/b] beat just 2 rivals home at Thirsk last time, but won't be far away if able to reproduce the form of his penultimate sixth in a hot Newmarket handicap. [b]Bronze Beau[/b] isn't the heartiest of battlers, but consistent in 2010 and resumed winning ways when making all at Catterick (5f) last time. Now 8 lb higher in a tougher race, though. [b]Pavershooz[/b] failed to get his head in front in 2010 and hasn't troubled the judge in 2 starts so far this term, though not knocked about at Thirsk last time. Cheekpieces now tried. [b]Diman Waters[/b] is a strong traveller who improved last year, and better than bare result both starts this term, caught wide when sixth to Le Toreador at Thirsk (5f) last time (wore blinkers but omitted here). [b]Ishetoo[/b] largely struggled...