They race on the all weather at Lingfield tomorrow where there is a good word for Meydan Dubai in the 2.40. Trained by John Best Meydan Dubai was placed in 3 of his 4 starts last season and has apparently wintered well.
Smart Enough has a pretty consistent overall career record and I see that he has been fitted with first time blinkers for the 4.40 tomorrow.
Up at Musselburgh Moheebb represents our list to follow in the 3.20. This one has been expensive to follow this season and is probably best watched at present.
Skhilling Spirit has a good race in him this season. He runs in the 4.50 and comes into the race in fair form having finished 4th at Thirsk a couple of weeks back. The more rain the better for this one as he likes to get his toe in.
My best offering at Southwell is James Fanshawe’s Game Park in the 5.00. Fifth in all three of his runs last season he showed enough ability to indicate that he will win now he has gained a handicap mark.
Moving on to Saturday I will start at Newmarket. In the 2.10 Perks has gone up 12 lbs for a runaway win at Doncaster. Owned by Benny Andersson, the former ABBA member Perks could well still be ahead of the handicapper and is respected especially is there is some cut in the ground. Meydan Dubai is also entered in this and would be one for the shortlist if turning up. Robby Bobby didn’t appear to act on the track at Ripon when a beaten favourite last time. He could well be seen in a better light tomorrow. Things didn’t really work out for Prime Exhibit at HQ on his seasonal reappearance but he is probably better than the bare form of that race would suggest. He looks well handicapped and is a live contender for this.
A throat problem meant that Passage of Time didn’t do herself justice last season. She looks set for a more successful 2008 though and starts her campaign in the 2.45.
The 2,000 gins at 3.25 looks a potentially strong renewal. Alfathaa won a Newbury maiden and went on to finish 5th in the Royal Lodge. You wouldn’t think that he would be quite good enough for this. Fireside rather scrambled home in a Newmarket maiden last season and with a handicap mark of 92 shouldn’t be good enough. Plan was an impressive winner of a Leopardstown maiden last season on good to firm, while Stimulation has already got a win under his belt having taken the Free Handicap here last month. The unbeaten New Approach and the Godolphin hope Ibn Khaldun are obviously in there with a big chance but I will go for Raven’s Pass who lost nothing in defeat behind Twice Over here last month and has at least proved that he retains his ability. He would not want soft ground however.
Looking at the 4.00 Knot in Wood probably needs to come down the weights a bit while Barney McGrew has ability and is perhaps worth following if there is market support for him. I am going for Northern Dare each way for my selection. He ran well in 3rd at The Curragh at the end of March and seems to handle any ground.
Khandahar Run was 2nd in the Fielden Stakes on his reappearance and that should have put him straight. He looks to have a good chance in the 4.35.
I had high hopes for Mountain Pride this season but he was well beaten when reappearing at Newbury. That looked two bad to be true and it would be no surprise if he put in a big run in the 5.10. It might pay to side with Dr Faustus though. His form last season looks pretty solid and his handicap mark not too severe. He probably handles any ground.
In the 5.45 Silver Suitor is an interesting contender. His trainer has won this race a couple of times before and given a strong pace Silver Suitor should give a good account.
At Doncaster I am quite interested in the 8.20. Birkside has won 10 times in the last 12 months mostly on the all weather. Running off a mark of 82 on turf he could well be a threat. The other one I like is Bukit Tinggi who although still a maiden caught the eye when stepped up in trip at the end of last season.
The 2.30 at Goodwood looks a winning opportunity for Milne Graden who won both his starts for Jeremy Nosed last season. This one is a half brother to the dual purpose horse King’s Quay.
Skhilling Spirit and Very Wise would be each way selections for the Thirsk Hunt Cup at 3.45.
The 4.20 at Thirsk could be a source of future winners. In particular I will be watching Another Decree, Fantasy Fighter and Merrion Tiger.
Charles Parnell was 3rd on heavy ground at Ayr on his final start last season. He looks to have a fair each way chance in the Thirsk 4.55.
Pictures are by kind permission of British 2YO Racing
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