Author: Russell Blair

Brighton

4.05 1m4f Class 5 Handicap – Tamachan 4/1

Like all Oppenheimer horses, is very well bred, she’s a daughter of Camelot (rated as high as 126), out of a un raced Duke Of Marmalade (130) dam, all breeding screaming out for this 1m4f distance, she showed a bit of ability when 4th on her 2nd run at Newbury over 1m2f, she was under 5 lengths behind the 2nd Sneaky Peek who’s since won and now rated 78 and the winner Katiesheidinlisa won her next race off 80 and now rated 86, which gives Tamachan a rating of 73 for that effort, the handicapped however has accessed her a mark of 70 after a poor effort followed when clearly outpaced. Now in handicap company for the first time off a ridiculous mark on breeding and looking well handicapped on ability that is more likely to taken advantage of now upped to her optimum looking trip. Also very interesting that it’s very rare to see Roger Charlton send his chances down to Brighton, he’s only been there 5 times in the last 5 years and has come back with 4 winners, 80% strike rate with a neat +£9.85 LSP, an even better career +£44.21 LSP at the course, he sends just the one there today and books Jason Watson once again who knows the filly well plus rides Brighton very well with a 24% strike rate and £5.91 LSP.

Haydock

6.55 6f Class 5 Handicap – Shortbackandsides 9/1

He won a good Class 4 race in August on just his 3rd attempt for his new trainer Tim Easterby off today’s mark of 63 on good to soft ground, he since came very close to adding to his tally off 66 both with real eye catching late powerful finishes hinting his still well handicapped. 3 below par runs since on good ground which isn’t ideal and after a long break in between has seen his mark drop below his last winning mark making him look very well in against a weak exposed field, but the key is the soft ground back to a undulating course that see’s his best. Jockey Duran Fentiman is in very good form and currently rocking a +£51.36 LSP this season.

Goodwood

7.05 6f Class 5 Handicap – Big Lachie 11/2

Last win came was in September in a good class 3 race at Doncaster off a mark of 75, he went up to 79 after and has once struggled in his 6 losses since but 3 of them came on what looks a unsuitable sharp 5f for him now, but as a result the handicapper has quickly dropped him 8lb to a mark of 71, 4lbs under last winning mark and although yet the run at Goodwood before, the course characteristic will clearly suit and bring out his best and is significant that trainer never travels to Goodwood and sends just the one there today. The majority of the pace is also drawn in the higher numbers and looks the place to be.

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Hamilton

3.30 6f Class 2 Conditions – Donjuan Triumphant 5/2

Richard Fahey has the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot the main aim for favourite Sands Of Mali and has stated he’ll be fitter for today’s run, so attentions turn to Donjuan Triumphant who was well beat by Sands Of Mali at Ascot in the Champion Sprint Stakes but before that, he finished in front of him in the Sprint Cup at Haydock, so it’s 1 a piece between the 2 rivals but with DJ with the more recent run, suited by conditions, trainer in excellent form and looking more aimed at this race than his competition, this looks for the taking. Andrew Balding doesn’t travel to Hamilton often but when he does, he operates on a 30% strike rate with a positive LSP and has a great partnership with jockey De Sousa with a 35% strike rate and positive LSP who also has a great record at the course with a 21% strike rate and huge +£69.77 LSP.

Haydock

4.10 5f Class 4 Handicap – Boundary Lane 4/1

2 wins on good ground or faster than and yet to race on slower ground but by Mayson should see further improvement out of the filly plus the damsire was a soft ground specialist who won the Irish Derby on soft/heavy ground so huge positives for today’s conditions. Her win at Doncaster is working out well with a couple of winners NTO, she went up 5lb for that and missed out by half a length NTO, she again impressed when last seen, she stumbled coming out of the stalls and took a while to gather herself up, she was last approaching the final furlong and the was giving the eventual winner a comfortable lead but finished better than all to get to within a length and a quarter, she’s due to go up a 1lb for that, but escapes that here and is still lightly raced so unexposed. Trainer Julie Camacho is in good form and has just the one runner to focus on.

Hamilton

5.00 5f Class 5 Handicap – Boundsy 11/2

Everkyllachy beat Boundsy by a head over C&D last week, both are unpenalised for that 1-2 and so both command a lot of respect, that was a big return to form for Boundsy and is now a huge 26lbs under last winning mark, if he can build on that performance then this mark will look stupidly low if the cheek pieces have the same desired effect, Sean Davis is retained once again and claims an extra 2lb’s for the rematch plus he’s better drawn with higher numbers fairing better over the Hamilton 6 furlongs. Trainer Richard Fahey is in brilliant form at present with a 20% strike rate the last 2 weeks plus has a good record at Hamilton.

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Nottingham

2.35 1m6f Class 5 Handicap – Moon King 11/8

2 from 2 since the gelding operation and step up in trip to 1m6f and only raised 4lbs since last victory where the race wasn’t run to suit but still won with plenty in hand, the form of the race is very strong with the 4th & 5th winning NTO and the 6th & 7th finishing a respectful 2nd in their races since. His 2 wins came around Wetherby and the Nottingham course is similar with easy turns and going left handed, again there’s no real pace in the race which isn’t ideal, but with the strongest form and clearly progressive his class should see him through. Harry Bentley is back in the saddle who rides Nottingham well and has a great 21% strike rate at the course the last 5 years and is in good recent form, trainer and boss Ralph Beckett is also in great recent form and has a positive LSP at the course the last 5 seasons.

Ripon

8.00 6f Class 3 Handicap – Quick Look 7/1

It always pays to be drawn stands side at Ripon especially pays in larger fields, there’s a couple to take from this race, the pace setter Bossipop from stall 12 who should get his own way upfront and Quick Look who perhaps is a bit better handicapped, he won the Class 2 Silver Trophy Handicap over C&D in August off this mark, has struggled since off higher marks but now back on a winning mark and did take the eye LTO with a strong finish in a big class 2 York Handicap on ground not so favourable and now possibly over a trip that’s on the sharp side. Today a return to a more suitable surface on a track his done his best work, on a good mark, has a good draw and back up in trip are all big pluses and should be thereabouts if he gets the splits up the stands rail.

Kempton

8.15 2m Class 4 Handicap – Sassie 13/2

Eye catching run on slow ground LTO while crying out for further, she finished a good close 3rd well in front of a good sized field, she was a little outpaced where it mattered and this 2 mile trip where she recorded her last victory is key to seeing her best, a return to Kempton too is also where she last won and was a good form race is also a big plus along with Oisin Murphy taking the reigns who is in excellent recent form and having a great season.

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Brighton

3.30 1m2f Class 6 Handicap – Samstar 5/2

Ran a big race back in 3rd in a 0-70 on Handicap debut on a mark of 60, the further 4 length back 4th won NTO and even the well beaten 6th just missed out by a length NTO making the form of the race pretty decent, she drops into a much easier 0-60 today against her age group, she’s very well bred with a good progressive pedigree and she should love the sharp left handed undulating course characteristics which suits front runners like Samstar who also gets a nice draw and with a lack of pace in this race she should get her own way of things upfront and in a weak looking race be hard to pass.

Windsor

8.00 1m Class 3 Handicap – Ivegotthepower 7/2

Was coming on leaps and bounds as a 3yo with 3 wins from 6 races, 2 in his last 2 efforts before a big setback keeping off the track for nearly 2 years, on his comeback he broke well and ran up with a good early pace, was a little keen but on the whole shaped well until dropping away quickly down to race fitness, he came on plenty for the run and when last seen at Sandown last month he was alertly out of the stalls, dictated a good pace and looked in control entering the straight, all in behind was flat out trying to join him but he kept finding and thought well for 2 furlongs until the last furlong pole where he was finally joined and taken, he still stayed on well with plenty of credit for an over 2 lengths 4th, he showed plenty of past ability and looks likely to add to his winning tally now fully fit, dropped into a slightly easier race, dropped a handy lb from the handicapper and gets a great draw for a front runner.

8.30 1m2f Class 4 Handicap – Lawn Ranger 11/4

Having a excellent consistent season, record reading 33212, the win coming over this C&D in a 0-85 beating Mr Scaramanga who boosted the form when a huge 3rd in a strong class 2 at Epsom on Oaks day. Lawn Ranger only went up 3lb for that victory and ran another good race at Lingfield over further and beaten by a very well handicapped Oasis Fantasy who has a excellent record in that class. Now back in trip and back over a course he likes will be a big plus and gets a nice draw.

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Great day yesterday with another double on the day and good to find the 9/1 winner of the Oaks, that double made it the 3rd one this week, so in great form and hopefully can add to it further today with another couple.

Doncaster

2.30 1m2f Class 3 Fillies Handicap – Vivionn 10/11

Very well bred daughter of Dubawi whose a world class sire and out of a Giant Causeway mare who is also is a top class sire, full brother Ispolini is a Group 3 Meydan winner over 1m6f. Vivionn has already showed plenty of speed winning over 7 furlongs and she improved again recently when upped in trip to a mile at Chelmsford, she only goes up 3lb for that victory and again should see more improvement with this extra 2 furlong trip today. Trainer Sir Michael Stoute is in incredible form with 12 winners from 22 runners the last 2 weeks, an awesome 55% strike rate which also reflects on his season with a huge 29% strike rate and +£27.99 LSP, he also has a fantastic record at Doncaster the last 5 years with a 35% strike rate and +£47.95 LSP, he sends just the one there today.

Epsom

4.30 1m4f Derby Group 1 – Telecaster 5/1

Was 2nd to a race experienced Bangkok on debut at Doncaster taking the eye, he not only confirmed that promise NTO but stormed clear at Windsor in one of the best visual performances this season to win by 9 lengths with the 3 behind winning or should of won NTO confirming the form, that earned him a shot at the Dante where he beat champion 2yo Too Darn Hot taking his form to another level with his best work in the finish pulling away with ears pricked looking like further will also bring out more, that form alone is the strongest for me and shown he’ll love today’s fast ground, also proved in that race he takes left handed bends well, a little concerned the Epsom bend may be a bit tough with him being quite leggy but his dam took to it well when 2nd in the Oaks and he shown good balance prior so time will tell but if he does, I’m pretty sure he’s the one they have to beat.

Musselburgh

4.55 5f Class 3 Handicap – Fairy Falcon 3/1

Big negative in the market ATM but looking very well in on last years performances and on breeding, she won very easily at Thirsk smashing the field apart on just her 2nd start with the majority of the field winning since boosting the form which prompted a shot at a Listed race at Ayr where she blew the start and had many in running problems but finished very well and should of been a lot closer than the 2 and a half length loss went down as, that performance needs marking up a lot and the winner Intense Romance now a 104 rated mare shows Fairy Falcon’s mark of 88 is very exploitable on that performance plus is half sister to Alpha Delphini and Tangerine Trees both excellent sprinters that improved with age giving FF a big boost going into her 4yo career very unexposed with just the 3 runs to her name. As previously mentioned a big negative in the market so maybe not fit, but hard to pass on in a race like this with all her positives.

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Epsom

3.10 1m4f Coronation Cup Group 1 – Lah Ti Dar 4/1

Had a good first season as a 3yo even with plenty of set backs, she won her first 3 starts in good style and her first loss came in the St Ledger against Kew Gardens, while staying the trip, it didn’t look her strongest and she didn’t travel as strongly as she has in the past so for me the effort needs marking up a little, she went from there to a shot at the Champions Fillies and Mares at Ascot, where again her effort in 3rd needs marking up, she was caught wide and didn’t settle but came with a strong looking winning run before her early exertions taking their toll and petered out slightly. She returned this season at York over a sharp 10 furlongs on fast ground which looked unsuitable and looked in need of a run but she battled on gamely and her stamina kicked in showing her best work in the latter stages to win with a lot more in hand than the bare result states, she’ll come on for the run and the step up to a mile half will be a big plus, plus still looking unexposed and has a nice profile to improve.

4.30 1m4f Oaks Group 1 – Anapurna 9/1

The one that’s taken my eye the most this season was Anapurna winning her Oaks trial at Lingfield, while still running green and in snatches, she was pretty breathtaking in the straight and won with plenty in hand by a wide margin, she had her ears pricked and will relish further, Lingfield is probably the closest course to Epsom in style which is a big plus, she’s entitled to come on for that effort and if a fully focused run, she’s a possible world beater in my eyes and sired by the worlds greatest Frankel. Trainer John Gosden and jockey Frankie Dettori are both having an excellent season and have a formidable partnership.

5.15 7f Surrey Stakes Listed – Space Blues 11/8

Looked a Group horse in a handicap when winning a big class 3 handicap at York off a big top weight earlier in the month, had plenty of in running problems but his class still seen him with a clear cut winning advantage. Out of Miss Lucifer who won a Group 2 at Newmarket and sired by Dubawi who is a world class sire and multiple Group 1 winner himself makes him the best bred horse of the race and looks to have plenty more scope and this looks another stepping stone onto bigger and better things. Trainer Charlie Appleby is in excellent form and has a positive LSP at the course and books James Doyle who also in great current form and is 2 from 2 on Space Blues back.

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Yarmouth

2.20 7f Class 5 Handicap – John Clare 11/10

Showed good attitude when winning at Leicester towards the end of last season as a 2yo, he returned this season in what looks a decent race finishing a close 2nd with the rest of the field well beat, the near 4 length 3rd won very easily NTO boosting the form, the close 2nd came after a 180 day break and a gelding operation, he again showed a good attitude when hitting the front a long way out, perhaps a little too far, but battled on strongly in the finish, he’s entitled to come on for the run, he goes up 4lb for the effort but looks very progressive and this looks an easier task. Trainer Pam Sly looks in fantastic form with 2 from 4 winners the last 2 weeks and a was close to another when just beaten by a neck, she has a good record at Yarmouth with a 20% strike rate the last 5 years and a +£14.30 LSP at the course in her career.

Lingfield

5.00 7f Class 5 Fillies Handicap – Dashed 6/4

Very well bred filly for the grade, she won on her 2nd start as a 2yo over 7f’s at Redcar with the form pretty good with 3 in behind winning since, she made a poor return at Haydock not looking to stay the mile trip but was given another go over a mile in her first handicap, this time a much improved effort and looked the winner until again not seeing out a mile, today she drops back to 7 furlongs which is a huge plus and back in a easier class should see her outclass her rivals. Trainer Roger Varian is having a good season and in good recent form, he sends just the one to Lingfield where he has a excellent 28% strike rate and positive LSP, booked jockey Jack Mitchell is in good form and was on her when she recorded her sole victory.

Sandown

6.30 1m6f Class 4 Handicap – Rowland Ward 13/8

Good 2nd on debut over a mile behind Group 1 winning 2yo Too Darn Hot, returned this season over a 1m4f at Pontefract in a small field, he blew the start and raced too freely, he was given a mark of 75 which he made look lenient when winning at Doncaster last month in a good form race, he goes up 6lb which not only natural progression should he manage that easily but he’s upped again in trip which on pedigree is a big plus but also visually he had plenty left in the locker LTO. Trainer Ralph Beckett is in good recent form likewise jockey Harry Bentley who share a good partnership and has been on all the colts runs to date.

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Beverley

2.10 5f Class 6 Handicap – One Boy 5/1

Career best performance was over this C&D a while back off 79, and since has shown a further liking for the course with his record reading 20854311, his last victory was over this C&D back in August off 58 which was his lowest career mark at the time, he made all that day from a good draw and was bumped up 7lb from the handicapper, he ran a good couple of races, most notably 2nd to Pavers Pride at Musselburgh off 63, he’s returned this season not in such good form but he usually takes a while to get warmed up and as a result he’s back down to a new career lowest mark of 57 which makes him very dangerous and gets a perfect draw in stall 1 which is a big advantage for front runners over this Beverley dog leg, while he has been held up recently, most of his wins have come from the front and should adopt those tactics today from this draw with most of the pace in the high stalls should leave him with a comfortable time of things upfront.

To read more about today’s racing check out the articles on The Winners Enclosure as they post daily horse racing insight and news.

Hamilton

2.50 1m3f Class 4 Handicap – Alabanza 6/1

Was progressing well last season and has progressive pedigree, started his handicap career off a low 60 and ran up a nice consistent run of results reading 32131 with his latest winning over this C&D off 69 to take his record to a perfect 2 from 2 over when running over 10 furlongs, he only goes up 3lb for that success which was in October which if fit, he should easily take that in his stride with natural progression. Trainer Keith Dalgliesh is in top form at present with 10 winners the last 2 weeks, a nice 25% strike rate and his elder horses are leading the way.

Check our the results of that race on BBC Sport

Beverley

3.40 1m Class 4 Handicap – Kylie Rules 2/1

The 4yo filly has been in fantastic form for her new trainer since the switch of yards early last month, she’s won her last 3 all over this C&D and easily looks capable of adding to her tally again after her last victory when running far too freely in the early stages but pulled away from her rivals with ease until her early exertions leaving her looking vulnerable but she still battled on strongly, that performance needs marking up considerably and if settling better then her new 3lb should be easy to take on and steps down slightly in class to make things a little easier.

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Redcar

2.50 1m6f Class 6 Maiden Handicap – Land Of Oz 9/4

Brings no form to the table but all over a mile or less in Novice company, Sir Mark Prescott knows how to work the handicap and this looks his usual handicap plot, out of Motivator mare who produced many great stayers like Treve, Sky Hunter & Pallasator and was also a Derby winner himself, he’s sired by Australia who was also a Derby winner including the Irish Derby and has made a good impact already in the breeding world with them progressing well over further distances which all together makes this colt very well bred and a mark of 60 looks ridiculously ready to exploit now upped significantly in trip to 1m6f in a handicap for the first time, should have tons in hand if fit and ready on his season appearance and will likely knock up a winning sequence sooner rather than latter.

Leicester

4.10 7f Class 4 Handicap – Mulan 7/4

Another that’s been crying out for further and looks very well handicapped on breeding. Sire Kingman was an excellent multi Group 1 miler and has started an excellent exciting sire to follow, on the dams side there’s plenty of stamina and the dam has produced many 1m plus winners and the dams sire Zafonic also producing many Group 1 milers. We’ll surely see Mulan’s best when upped again in trip, but for now this 7f will see a big improvement and a mark of 72 looks very exploitable in handicap company for the first time.

Ayr

8.20 1m2f Class 4 Handicap – Mulligatawny 7/2

Took the eye LTO from a bad draw at Chester and bad in running position but finished well to claim a good 4th in a better race, dropped in a much easier race here and a distinct lack of early speed will suit Mulligatawny and running anything like last time should see a win against this company on form.

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Chelmsford

3.45 2m Class 4 Handicap – Carnwennan 7/4

Very unexposed 4yo with just 8 runs to his name and only 3 runs over this 2 mile trip which reads 221, the latest when winning a good class 3 0-90 race at York earlier in the month, he enjoyed a good gallop upfront and the hit the front effortlessly before quickly away from the field, he looked to have plenty in hand and only goes up 4lb for the victory which looks extremely lenient for the progressive gelding and drops into a easier 0-85 against much weaker company, he runs at Chelmsford for the first time but has proven he handles a polytrack surface. Trainer Charlie Fellowes is in good spirits and has a good record with his elders on the AW and a positive LSP at Chelmsford with his 4yo+, he has just the one runner out today and books Stevie Donohoe who was on the last time and is in good form with 5 winners the last 2 weeks.

Windsor

4.50 1m3f Class 4 Fillies Handicap – Mannaal 5/6

Won on debut very stylishly in a Nottingham maiden last October which earned her a crack at a Listed race at Newmarket, she was very well backed and shaped well before not picking up in the business end, perhaps outpaced, off the back of that she returned this season upped in trip in a novice race the beginning of the month beating a very highly regarded John Gosden filly Illumined who they predict is a Group filly within time. She gets a handicap mark of just 84 which looks very workable and steps up again in trip which visually looks a big boost, Ryan Moore is booked which you don’t see often for the yard and is another big plus, he’s in his usual good form and hit a treble yesterday over in Ireland and has a good record at Windsor the last 5 seasons with a positive LSP and good 28% strike rate, trainer Simon Crisford doesn’t travel to Windsor often and sends just the one there today and has a impressive £89 LSP at the course.

Redcar

5.20 1m2f Class 6 Handicap – Mr Coco Bean 6/4

Was rated 72 for his last trainer Ann Duffield after a unsuccessful run owner Stewart Raines switched yards to David Barron and he quickly broke his duck off very dangerous 59, a relatively poor run followed but returned to form the start of the year and recorded back to back victories at Southwell and at Redcar off a mark of 59 winning easily and was only raised 3lbs, he ran a below par run NTO but on slow ground which looks to clearly not suit before a huge run the end of last week at Haydock when not getting a run at a crucial time and letting the eventual winner get first run, but flew home when in the clear and surely would of won, that was his first run on fast ground for David Barron and surely would of won if getting a gap earlier, he’s unpenalised for that run and is quickly turned back out and should get his due rewards in a significantly easier race.

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