Saturday preview
The 1.30 at Beverley doesn’t look the strongest of contests and might not take a great deal of winning Staked a Claim wears first time blinkers has possibilities.
The listed race t 3.00 features some old favourites. Borderlescott would be a very popular choice as he just lost out in a desperate finish to Zidane in the Stewards Cup recently. He should again be thereabouts as should Tax Free who has already won 3 times this season. Baltic King was 2nd at Chester on his last outing and the ground tomorrow should be just right for him. These 3 would be my main fancies with Strike up the Band the best outsider. If pushed for a selection it would be Tax Free, the mount of Adrian Nicholls.
The 3.35 looks a very competitive affair. Record Breaker and Cabinet both come here on the back of wins. Cabinet has been raised 7 lbs for his win at Sandown in soft ground last month. Record Breaker has a 6 lbs penalty for his win last Sunday at Pontefract but comes back from 12 to 10 furlongs tomorrow. Five a Side posted a promising effort on his latest start when 2nd at Ripon while Monte Alto has been a model of consistency all season and will be hard to keep out of the frame. Record Breaker won in good style last week and looks to be progressing. He gets the selection.
Monashee Brave recorded his only ever win at Beverley and returns there for the 4.05. He wears a first time visor and if this gets him to produce his best form he would go close.
Ivy Creek won two listed races earlier in the season and a return to that sort of form would give him every chance in the 2.05 at Goodwood.
The 3.10 looks good for Cesare who is not far short of top class. Echelon runs in the same colours. She has 4 wins at Group 3 level to her credit and should not be too far away. Blythe Knight, a former winner of the Lincoln is an admirable sort and has won his last two races. Dunelight is a course and distance winner at a track where course form can be a big plus while Blue Ksar comes into the reckoning and has not been out of the first 2 on his last 6 starts. Cesare has the best form and is preferred to Blue Ksar.
Pacific Pride has not won for over 2 years and his recent form is no encouragement. He is dangerously well handicapped though and is the type to pop up at a silly price eventually.
Coup D’Etat ended a long losing sequence 5 days ago and connections run him again under a penalty in the 4.15. He would go close if he has recaptured his best form but he does not look a straightforward sort.
Composing represents our list to follow in the maiden handicap at 5.25 but is very hard to fancy.
Transcend won over 7 furlongs 2 outings ago and was not disgraced last time on the all weather. He has an each way chance in the 2.20 at Newmarket.
In the 3.25 I fancy Balthazar’s Gift who has been in fine form of late.
My 2 against the field in the 5.05 would be Swinbrook and Geojimali.
We have a couple of runners from the list to follow in the 6.15 at Windsor. Hawridge Prince runs well in small fields but the trip might be on the short side for him. Tam Linn has plenty of ability but seems to be a bit of a nut. I will give him one more chance here though as I am sure he has the talent to win something like this if he can get his head right.
Halicarnassus won a Group 3 last time out but the 6.45 looks a potentially tougher event. The going may not too be to his liking either.
Good luck
ahorse 