TimeformBlog

Beverley's 15:30 gets us underway this afternoon, where [b]Icy Blue[/b] is taken to get back to winning ways having slipped to the mark from which he was last triumphant in August last year. The four-year-old has been threatening to come good for some time now, shaping as if ready to strike on a couple of occasions, none more so than when third at Ripon last week having met trouble two furlongs out and finishing best for minimum pressure. A case of sorts can be made for a number of these, with Carlisle first and second, Lady Chaparral and Lockantanks, heading the dangers, but Icy Blue has to be taken seriously and appeals as a good bet at the 8.4 currently available. Course specialist [b]Shadowtime[/b] has hinted on several occasions this season that he retains all of his ability, and...

[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...

We get underway in Kempton's 14:50, where [b]Top Benefit[/b] is taken to defy a 10 lb rise for an easy success at Market Rasen last month. The 10-year-old has gradually been getting his act together since joining current trainer Kim Bailey, improving in each of his three starts to get off the mark on the latest occasion, beating Stick Together by nine lengths with his jumping seemingly improved. Moscow Chancer is second-best to the selection on Timeform weight-adjusted ratings, but looks something of an irresolute character, whilst Emperor Charlie has been hit with a 12 lb rise for his last success. Top Benefit's jumping clearly needs to hold together once more, but he has an excellent chance of gaining a second career victory. There are plenty to consider in Southwell's 16:10, but this...

[b]Admirable Duque[/b] has taken really well to fibresand, twice accounting for The Lock Master in handicaps last 2 starts. Can't be dismissed in current heart. [b]Taikoo[/b] took a C&D handicap last spring and went in again back from a break at Ayr in September. Not so good in maiden hurdle and bumper the last twice. Captain Bellamy stronger from yard. [b]Sherman Mccoy[/b] won at Salisbury last summer before season rather petered out. Returns from 5 months off and unproven on fibresand. [b]The Lock Master[/b] chased home Admirable Duque twice here before poor effort up at this trip at Wolverhampton last time. Would make more appeal over shorter. [b]Storm Hawk[/b] has taken well to this surface, bursting clear for third win in 4 starts earlier in the month. Latest 6 lb rise ...

[b]West Coast Dream[/b] won 2 Irish handicaps last spring for Andrew Oliver. Best effort for new yard when neck second to Cadeaux Pearl at Kempton, but since failed miserably to cope with switch to this surface. [b]Mottley Crewe[/b] has improved on the AW since fitted with blinkers in recent months, including 4 times runner-up in C&D handicaps. However, beaten at long odds-on in a seller last time which has to be a worry. [b]Baby Strange[/b] was as consistent as ever last year and plenty to like about recent Lingfield return when finishing off his race well. Previous runs here came to nothing, but is on a fair mark and is still feared. [b]Cadeaux Pearl[/b] dropped in the weights and bounced back to best over C&D in December, then followed up in Kempton handicap by neck from West...

Donald McCain and Jason Maguire combined for a treble at Bangor yesterday and the pair can get off to the best possible start at Ludlow today via hurdling debutant [b]Call Back[/b] (14:30) in the opening two-mile novice event. Call Back was much improved on his second start when winning a Newcastle bumper in December and was not disgraced in a hot Cheltenham event (third won next time) at the beginning of January that usually works out well, suggesting that he could be one to take seriously once sent hurdling. He gets the chance to prove that synopsis correct in what looks a winnable race this afternoon and, while Call Back's owner will be hoping for Supreme Novices' success with another son of Beat Hollow in the shape of Cinders And Ashes at the upcoming Cheltenham Festival, he can celebrate...

The opening race is the scene for our first SmartPlay of the day, in the shape of the Mark Brisbourne-trained [b]Itsthursdayalready[/b] (13:40). The five year-old has gained two of his three career successes at this venue, the most recent of which was achieved off a 2 lb higher mark than today's, and he shaped fairly well on his return from a three month absence at Wolverhampton late last month, finishing sixth to Avoncreek in an amateur riders' handicap. Itsthursdayalready travelled well that day before meeting trouble two furlongs from home, eventually looking in need of the run when granted some daylight and, with his yard in much better form of late, he has a solid chance of getting back to winning ways. The pair to concentrate in Southwell's 14:45 are [b]Trans Sonic[/b] and Zomerlust,...

We kick off proceedings in the opening event, where a big run is expected from [b]Caledonia Prince[/b] (13:20). The four-year-old's two best performances have come at the venue, successful in August last year and finishing runner-up on his latest start at the end of last month. Tactics appear to be in his favour too as with very little pace in opposition, he is likely to get a fairly untroubled passage to the head of affairs, which is seemingly his preferred racing style. The jockey's and trainer's record at the course is another plus, with 7-lb claimer Josh Baudains achieving a 38% strike rate and trainer Jo Hughes a 16% strike rate, and both returning a healthy level stakes profit. All in all, conditions look set for Caledonia Prince to gain his second career success. [b]Broughtons...

Amateur rider Becky Brisbourne has ridden five winners from just 22 rides in the last five seasons, all of them for her father Mark, and the pair enjoy a 25% strike rate and a very healthy level-stakes profit when combining. The father/daughter partnership team up with [b]Harrys Yer Man[/b] (13:15) this afternoon, and Thursday's Wolverhampton winner looks to have a great chance of following up in the opening handicap at Southwell. The change of surface is a slight concern, but such was the manner of the unexposed eight-year-old's gambled-on victory five days ago that he's given a chance to prove he's well ahead of the handicapper in a race that isn't going to take much winning. Another intriguing jockey booking comes aboard [b]Steelcut[/b] (14:00) in the five-furlong handicap at Wolverhampton...