As usual I will concentrate mainly on the prospects for the horses from my list to follow over the next couple of days.
Cruel Sea and Melodramatic run at Bath in the 4.30 in the Dick Hern Stakes. One of my earliest racing systems revolved around trainer Hern and jockey Joe Mercer, especially when they combined at Newbury. Anyway, back to the race! Melodramatic won a Nottingham maiden back in May and then ran second to the grey Rosa Grace in a listed race for fillies at Newbury over 10 furlongs. She then disappointed when back to a mile of faster ground at Sandown. She has an each way chance on her best form. Cruel Sea won a Doncaster maiden as a 2 year old but after a promising reappearance when 2nd at Newmarket she has disappointed since, tending to race too keenly. She has been racing on fast ground and it is possible that an easier surface may bring about some improvement.
Floristry and Quiet Elegance represent my list to follow in the Pontefract 3.40. It may be that Quiet Elegance need soft ground so she could run well at a big price if we get enough rain. Floristry should be fitter for her recent run at Doncaster and if she can pick up where she left off last season when landing a hat trick on wins she would have an each way chance.
I had high hopes for Roaring Forte this season but he has proved expensive to follow thus far. He was a beaten favourite when second at Newmarket last time but may have found the going a bit quick that day and is worth another chance in the 4.10. The other runner from my list to follow in this race is Bigfanofthat who is likely to be the outsider of the party. After winning at Ayr on fast ground on his debut he suffered a set back and didn’t run again until April this year when down the field behind Perks at Doncaster. He was well thought of by connections but it appears that he has been difficult to train.
Baybshanbles has been one of the more successful horses on my list winning 3 times. He carries top weight in the 5.10 at Pontefract but is only 2 lbs higher than when recording his last win.
The main interest for me at Windsor on Monday evening will be to see if Aleatricis can win a 6th consecutive race in the 5.30. Interestingly he wears first time blinkers. 19 year old Rosie Jessop has the ride and she has already won on him twice.
In the 6.00 there is a good word for the William Haggas trained newcomer Dream Date. Of those that have previous experience Tropical Paradise has been placed on both her starts.
There are a couple of runners from my list to follow in the sprint handicap at 8.00. 9 year old Caribbean Coral is not the force of old but is well handicapped and seems to handle any ground. Like Caribbean Coral Hereford Boy has won once this season but despite subsequent defeats is still a couple of lbs above his highest winning mark.
Karl Burke’s Merrion Tiger looks capable of picking up a small race off his current mark. He wears a first time visor in the 7.20 at Yarmouth.
Today’s picture is by kind permission of the artist Vicky Young
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