BATH
Race 2 No2 ARABICA QUEEN (Nap)
Trainer: Jonny Portman – Jockey: Rob Hornby
Early foal ARABICA QUEEN is related to a 13-times winner and could step up considerably from her frame finish on debut at Windsor. She is a value opportunity if near to her paper price, and should definitely be involved.
Race 3 No1 OBSIDIAN DREAM (Each Way)
Trainer: Stan Moore – Jockey: Ashley Lewis
OBSIDIAN DREAM was beaten only two lengths on his return to action at Lingfield which was only the gelding’s third start in more than a year and a second following a breathing operation. His only career win happened at this course, and in the colours of Peter Burrell he can have a big say in this.
REDCAR
Race 2 No3 CAPE FEAR (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: PJ McDonald
This restricted maiden for staying types looks ideal for CAPE FEAR, who can play the experience card to good effect. He ran into a very decent and unbeaten foe at Windsor last time, but meets nothing of that ilk here.
Race 3 No3 FAIRYDALE
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Duran Fentiman
FAIRYDALE will go off the outsider of three which is understandable granted how poorly she ran when returning at this track last month. Beaten 20 lengths on that occasion, her chance of causing an upset rests with the weight concession of more than a stone from the favourite as well as a considerable step up in trip.
Race 5 No13 LONG SHOT
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Duran Fentiman
Easterby also holds strong claims with LONG SHOT, who after putting in a career best last week now tackles a more suitable trip, whilst having blinkers fitted for the first time.
LEICESTER
Race 1 No9 VICTORY GOLD (Nap)
Trainer: Saeed Bin Suroor – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Space Blues colt VICTORY GOLD made a very promising debut when second at Ascot, and while the form has been devalued he can step up to the plate and open his account under the champion jockey.
Race 2 No2 JAZZY BAY (Each Way)
Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton – Jockey: Callum Hutchinson
With the benefit of a readying run under his belt, JAZZY BAY is worthy of a market check. The Dark Angel gelding wasn’t far out of the money at Chepstow when staying on in eye taking fashion and without being knocked about. He could easily progress sufficiently to win this, granted how hot his trainer is with her two-year-olds.
Race 3 No3 CAIM
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
CAIM was a shock scorer on debut at Beverley before failing by just half a length to follow up in the Listed Radley Stakes at Newbury in the autumn. She’s thrived for her winter break, and gets my vote in the best race of the day, with CROWNRIGHT her probable main barrier to success.
Race 4 No1 HATAMOTO
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Harry Russell
HATAMOTO did nothing wrong when worried out of it on handicap debut at Carlisle. That was on softer ground than the top weight will encounter today, but Tim Easterby wouldn’t be running him so quickly unless he believed the losses sustained can be recouped.
PLUMPTON
Race 2 No1 GOODWIN
Trainer: Chris Gordon – Jockey: Ryan Corcoran
Fast ground suits GOODWIN who is only 4lb higher than for his convincing success here last month. He’s a three times scorer at this course and can consolidate his very good record for a trainer who rarely leaves empty handed.
Race 6 No3 GOODWIN FACE (Nap)
Trainer: Chris Gordon – Jockey: Tom Cannon
A deserving winner of this handicap hurdle would be GOODWIN FACE following his two near misses, latterly at this course when beaten by a horse that has franked the form. He’s only 1lb higher, and looks to have been found a very good opportunity.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 1 No4 RUSSIAN RUMOUR (Nap)
Traner: Jonny Portman – Jockey: Donagh Murphy
Though getting longer in the tooth RUSSIAN RUMOUR is in the form of her life and can complete a hat-trick. She’s only 2lb higher for her smooth Nottingham triumph, and can prove just as effective moved back onto the all-weather.