Author: Russell Blair

Curragh

2.20 6f Handicap – Gopsies Daughter 9/2

Not only do I find it best to be drawn up the stands rail over these sprint trips at the Curragh but all the speed today is drawn high, so looks a big advantage to be on the stands side today. Gopsies Daughter not only gets a prime draw on the stands rail but also gets the perfect pace angle with those drawn next to her likely to set up a great early pace and set it up for a closer like our selection. We’ve yet to see her best this season, but she impressed LTO over a sharp 5f with all her best work coming in the latter stages crying out for further in a race not run to suit, with today’s pace and the extra furlong big pluses should see a big performance and reverse the form with Haqeeba, she also gets the services of jockey Killian Leonard for the first time this season and clearly gets the best out of the mare with winning on her back 3 times last year, one at this course off a lb higher mark.

Kelso

3.05 Class 3 Handicap Hurdle – St Gallen 13/8

There’s a very well treated horse in Beeno who was rated 135 around this time last season and ran a big 3rd in this race off 133 when racing too freely for his new trainer at the time, his down to a very dangerous mark of 118 and will likely get his own way upfront and if back in form should prove very hard to beat, but very risky to say he’ll be up for it today so the safe bet would be St Gallen, ex Irish flat horse for John Joseph Murphy who was rated as high as 93 early in his career and won off 70 last year before moving stables to Olly Murphy rated 74, he made a winning start for his in form new trainer at Market Rasen beating Henrietta Bell who boosted the form when winning at Southwell last week, also 15 lengths back in 4th Rukwa also came close and just missed out by half a length NTO to further boost the form. He’s been given a mark of 118 which looks lenient for his first handicap bow and dangerously unexposed. Richard Johnson takes the saddle once again and has just the 2 rides to focus on and is in his usual good form.

Uttoxeter

5.05 2m4f Class 4 Handicap Hurdle – Sebastian Beach 4/1

Won over the chase course here in July 2017, just the one run to his name shortly after he switched yards to Ben Pauling and wasn’t seen since until early this month when running a huge race in 2nd after 615 day break, if he doesn’t bounce he should come on for that run. Ben Pauling has just the one runner today and doesn’t send many Uttoxeter way and is a long 250 mile round trip just for a run which suggests he’s come out of his last race in good shape and is fit and ready for today. He looks on a good mark on past form and was rated as high as 129 and today runs off 115. Jockey Daryl Jacob is back in the saddle who is superb recent form with 4 wins from 7 runs the last 2 weeks and has a great chance at a treble today with 3 solid rides.

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Cartmel

3.15 3m1f Class 4 Handicap Chase – Inchcolm 2/1

Had just the one win from 22 runs over obstacles for Micky Hammond, but has come into life for Tristan Davidson and won 5 races starting from October in just 9 attempts, his handicap mark has quickly jumped up 38lbs from 82 to 120, but the way he only wins by just doing enough has saved his mark from escalating even more. His last effort in a decent Hexham race seen him still looking well treated with a solid close 2nd just a neck behind Bafana Blue who ran a fine race NTO behind a very well treated Katgary and the 4th Quest For Life who was 10 lengths back smashed a similar race NTO by 16 lengths giving the form a good feel to it and the impression Inchcolm still has more wins in him if running up to that performance again. Jockey Harry Reed is back in the saddle and has a great relationship with the gelding with his record reading 41U112, he has just the one race to focus on and has a great record at the course with 4 wins from 17 races, a nice 24% strike rate and +18.83 LSP to boot which is similar to the trainers stats who also has one race to focus on and a 33% strike rate at the course with a cool +£22.50 LSP and a very nice +£37.92 LSP when both trainer and jockey joining forces with 13 winners at a 33% strike rate.

York

4.50 1m2f Class 3 Fillies Handicap – Arctic Fox 9/4

Caused a little bit of a upset when beating what looks a strong well bred field at Newmarket earlier in the month, it may not of been a shock to some as she’s well bred for 10 furlongs and it was her first try at the trip which seen the big improvement, she goes up 8lb for the victory but visually the hit still looks lenient, she’ll love the fast ground and even though a small field Quintada, Vivid Diamond and Osmosis will set up a good pace to aim at, plus she races against her own sex which will also be easier.

Salisbury

6.20 6f Class 6 Handicap – Raincall 9/4

Took the eye LTO when dropped in trip to 6f at Lingfield, she had a bad draw to contend with but broke extremely well and had a lot of early speed to get across well which wouldn’t of helped her in her finish but she battled on well to finish a good 4th giving away a lot of weight for her age against some very well bred well thought of fillies, with the winner rated 85 and giving her 10lbs on the day she effectively is close to a mark of 83 on that evidence, but steps into handicap company off 65 which leaves her looking very well in today. Today she’s much better drawn and a significant drop in speed compared to her last race, she tackles faster ground for the first time and her sire Pivotal is pretty effective on all types of ground but on her dams side, she looks like she’ll progress on this faster surface. She’s the least exposed in the field and looks a weak race to get underway and I predict start a nice winning sequence.

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Goodwood

4.20 1m2f Height Of Fashion Fillies Listed – Shambollic 15/8

Trainer John Gosden has the 2 top rated in the race with 102 rated Muchly who recently won a good conditions race at Ascot beating Queen Power who boosted the form when winning a Listed race at Newbury last week, Frankie Dettori was riding her that day but he opts for stablemate Shambolic which is a tip in itself. Shambolic won her first races as a 2yo before a shot at a Group 1 in the Fillies Mile at Newmarket, although outpaced over the mile she stayed on strongly into 4th in a strong form race, with the 2nd Hermosa recently winning the Group 1 1000 Guineas and the 3rd Pretty Pollyanna a previous Group 1 & 2 winner, she travelled to France after for another go at a Group 1 over a mile and two furlongs, she was well fancied but ran very flat, maybe not travelling well but returned to form this season as a 3yo after a 190 day break in the Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket, although outclassed by the race fit Maqsad the current 3rd fav for the Oaks, she still impressed in 2nd well clear of the rest of the field, she should of come on for the run and will love today’s fast ground. Jockey Dettori is in fantastic form with a 32% strike rate the last 2 weeks and returns from racing in Italy in good spirits after picking up an emphatic Group 2 victory on Stormy Antarctic the weekend.

Chepstow

5.20 1m4f Class 5 Handicap – Winged Spur 6/4

Looks to come to life this time of year, she won 4 times last year all over 1m2f where the majority of her racing took place, her last win was in a 0-80 at Ripon in October where he won by nearly 4 lengths off 75 showing to be very well handicapped, since she hasn’t looked close to that ability apart from a good run at Wolverhampton off 81 in a good 0-85, she slipped to a dangerous 77 and returned to form in a strong looking 0-85 race at York earlier this month, although no chance with the winner, she stayed on well from a bad position and came widest off the final bend from a reasonably soft ride to claim 3rd, she’s due to go up 1lb in the near future but today creeps into a much weaker 0-75 race with Andrew Breslin onboard taking off a handy 5lb.

Sandown

8.40 1m Class 3 Handicap – History Writer 2/1

Lightly raced 4yo that recorded his sole win over C&D in August demolishing the field even if still looking a little green, he finished the season with a good run at Newmarket travelling very strongly and was just three quarters of a length away while running alone down the middle of the track. He was gelded after the race and made his seasonal debut in a deep class 2 Spring Cup at Newbury where taking the eye with a strong run late in the day with lots to do and done well to get as close as he did. He should come on for that run and now runs in a much easier class 3 0-95. Trainer David Menuisier is in great current form and has a good record at the course with a 23% strike rate and a healthy £21.10 level stake profit and books Jason Watson again who also is in good current form and like Sandown and also boasts a healthy LSP at £10.70.

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Ayr

4.05 1m2f Rothesay Stakes Listed Fillies & Mares – Shenanigans 5/4

A very weak Listed race that won’t take much winning and the strongest form comes from this mare, she’s the highest rated in the field and was rated 100 this time last year and placed 3rd in a Group 3 at Epsom on Derby day, she finished the season over this trip for the first time finishing strong through the line in 2nd proving to handle trip and deserves another chance looking unexposed over these middle distances. She returned this season in a good listed race at Kempton over a mile impressing after a break, she should come on for the run and looked outpaced in the finish but plugged on again looking like this trip will be a big plus, the form took a big boost when the 3rd Rawdaa finishing just a neck away from Lah Ti Dar next time out in the Group 2 Middleton Fillies at York last week. Roger Varian is having a good season, especially with his elders, he sends just the one to Ayr which is a long way and a course he barely enters but does have a 33% strike rate when making the trip, similar to jockey Atzeni who also is having a good season and has only run at Ayr just once but made it a winning journey, he also just has the one run today which is very significant.

4.35 1m2f Class 5 Handicap – Maulesden May 9/4

Won over C&D twice in 2017 with Graham Lee onboard off marks of 71 and 73 to be given a mark of 77, she quickly dropped down the handicap after a unsuccessful spell on the AW to a mark of 66 where she took advantage of her dangerous mark when back on the turf at Musselburgh in August last year, just 4 runs to her name since in some descent races for the grade, she’s still on a attractive mark of 69, 4lbs under her highest winning mark, her last run was pleasing to the eye in a good form race so far and the pace of this race looks perfect with Corton Lad and Guvenor’s Choice very likely to set the race up for closers like Maulesden May. Trainer Keith Dalgleish is in hot current form with a 29% strike rate the last 2 weeks and hit a hat trick on Monday, he has 3 in this race with the pace setter Corton Lad one of them which looks significant.

Kempton

7.55 1m3f Class 3 Handicap – Sleeping Lion 10/3

Won over C&D roughly around this time last year in a good form race, he backed that form up himself when winning a 3yo class 3 NTO before taking on his elders and impressed from a bad position to finish a strong 3rd to be rated as high as 96, he struggled off that mark in a class 2 at Newmarket, looking below par and the ground not really looking to suit which prompted a gelding operation. He returned this season after a long 252 break in the first time hood, he was ridden patiently off the pace perhaps a bit too cold but shaped well and was encouraging strong in the finish just beaten by a well bred Frankel gelding while giving away 6lbs, he certainly looks very handicapped and looks to have a good season ahead, the hood is removed which looks a good move to offer a bit more heat.

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Naas

4.25 6f Group 3 Lacken Stakes – So Perfect 10/11

Aiden O’Brien has won this 3 times in its 5 years history and today is aiming for for 3 years on the bounce for both trainer, jockey Ryan Moore and for sprinting sire Scat Daddy. So Perfect juvenile form is the standout of the field, she was the Group 3 Grangecon winner at the Curragh before a very close 2nd in the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix against her opposite sex before another close place in another Group 1 in the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket. She returned this season in a good looking Group 3 Fred Darling at Newbury over 7 furlongs for the first time, she claimed the lead over a furlong out and while seeing out the extra furlong she still looked she’s more suited for sprinting trips and was just pipped towards the line and finished just a short head in 3rd under jockey Wayne Lordan. Today she’ll be fitter for the run, the return to 6 furlongs looks a plus, Ryan Moore back onboard looks a big plus who not only looks to get the best from the filly but rides Naas very well and has been farming wins in Ireland already this season, especially in the 3yo division, the filly looks to go on any ground but has produced her best on faster surfaces like today’s and has a nice draw from 6 with the majority of the pace in the higher stalls a big help.

5.00 7f 3yo Handicap – Giga White 11/4

Big 2yo season, his first when a close 4th on debut in a strong maiden just behind a subsequent Group 3 winner Guaranteed and in front of Norway a Listed winner and Anthony Van Dyck a Group 2 & 3 winner rated now 118. Since that effort he placed in another strong maiden, again behind Guaranteed and sandwiched between another 2 subsequent winners before breaking his duck on his 3rd attempt again in another strong form race at Gowran beating South Pacific whose rated 92 and back in 4th was Trethias whose rated 97. He was given a mark of 87 for that which on evidence on what his beat already looks very lenient on his first run in a handicap, he’s also been gelded which could also bring out further improvement. He’s weak in the market at present which may indicate he needs a run, but for me he looks too well handicapped to pass on and his class should see him in front IMO, plus trainer Ger Lyons horses have taken a little while to get going this season and may be another reason the market is against on first time out for the season, but the trainer now currently has them in top form and is banging in the winners or coming close. Jockey Colin Keane is also is top form and has a very healthy +£67.59 level stake profit at Naas in his career, one to back blindly at the course.

Ripon

6.00 5f Class 5 Apprentice Handicap – Dapper Man 6/1

Was rated as high as 86 July last year after a impressive back to back romps at Nottingham and Haydock and a close 2nd in a good race at Carlisle even after losing a shoe, he’s since looked to of struggled off his new mark against tougher class rivals which has seen his mark tumble back down to a more realistic 72 which is 4lbs under his last winning mark, he steps back into class 5 which is the first time on the turf since his last win and he won this race last year under today’s jockey Ben Sanderson after a very bad break but pulling well clear of the rest of the field with King Crimson who franked the form with his immediate efforts since. Recent form has not been so good for Dapper Man and does need a revival, but he does come alive this time of year with all wins coming from April-July and trainer Roger Fell also thrives around this time of year and hit a nice double yesterday and just has the one runner today.

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Chester

2.25 1m3f Cheshire Oaks Fillies Listed – Manuela De Vega 3/1

One of 3 in the field with an Oaks entry, she was very forward last season but has a pedigree that should progress well which looks very promising, she impressed highly on her first 2 winning starts, the first in a usual good maiden beating race fit rivals in a impressive time, she then took on her opposite sex in a Listed upped to a mile and impressed even more on softer ground, she was certainly green and a little outpaced but her class kept her in the race and dominated the race in the latter stages to win by nearly 3 lengths pushed out through the line. Today’s extra trip will be a huge plus on both pedigree and visually, she won’t mind any rain that comes and has a nice draw. Trainer Ralph Beckett is superb recent form with 7 wins in the last 2 weeks and 4 wins from 10 races with his 3yo’s in the same time. Harry Bentley takes the reins who won on the fillies back the last twice, he has a good record with his boss and a great record at the course. She’s currently 25/1 for the Oaks at present too which I suggest you get some as she’ll be around 8/1 at the end of the day if she wins how I think she will.

3.35 1m4f Group 3 Chester Vase – Norway 9/2

Yet to race on soft ground but out of Galileo who’s pedigree for me are better on a sounder surface but will still practically go on any surface and his dam who won with yielding in the description also recorded career bests when placing in a listed and group 3 contests with soft and heavy in the description, also a full brother to Rule The World who not only won this in 2013 before winning the Derby, but recorded a career best on soft ground in the Champion Stakes at Ascot, plenty of clues to say the testing ground should be fine today for Norway. He may not look as good as full brother Rule the World, but we didn’t see RTW as a 2yo so hard to make full comparisons yet, but Norway still brings in the strongest form from his Listed win at Newmarket and his 4th in a Group 1 in France which needs marking up for racing far too keenly in a strongly run race setting it up for closer, he still stayed on well considering. Today the cheek pieces are applied for the first time which should be a big plus after his 2yo displays plus RTW won this with cheek pieces fitted for the first time. Trainer Aiden O’Brien is having his usual May frenzy winning the Group 1 Guineas double and a Group 3 & 2 with Happen and Magical all over the bank holiday weekend, Aiden’s won this race 8 times in the past and has won it 6 times in the last 8 years with usual farming partner Ryan Moore whose chosen this horse over O’Brien’s other 2 which is another big plus.

5.05 7f Class 4 Handicap – Air Raid 11/2

Won fresh on both his season starts over 7 furlongs on soft ground and was rated as high as 95 this time last year, since then he hasn’t ran so well in 5 races, but 3 races were on the AW all over different trips and the other 2 on turf was in tough class 2 0-105 contests, so fair to say he has excuses. As a result his handily dropped down to mark of 84, 11lbs under last years mark, he drops into a much easier class 4 0-85, ground is in favour, he runs well fresh, trainer Jedd O’Keefe is having a brilliant season and is still in great form and sends just the one to Chester where he doesn’t really travel to often.

Russell Blair

Fakenham

3.45 3m5f Class 3 Norfolk National Chase – Fifty Shades 3/1

A lot in favour for the Christian Williams gelding who not only loves it himself around the sharp Fakenham course with a perfect 2 from 2, but trainer also thrives at the course with his most success around here with a great 35% strike rate and positive £3.19 LSP. Fifty Shades enjoyed a fantastic last season with 5 wins from 14 runs with another 4 places to boot. Last month he smashed a career best on his first try over this marathon distance at Warwick, he’s still only 6 and so looks to have plenty more to offer, he does go up 9lbs for that win and steps into a much deeper 0-125 race from a 0-105 previously which will certainly test his ability and may even find him out, but still looks the one they all have to beat IMO. James Bowen back in the saddle is a huge positive, he’s record on his back reads 21141 and clearly brings the best out of the gelding and also loves Fakenham with a 35% strike rate and shares an overall 29% strike rate with the trainer with a whopping £42.1 LSP when teaming up.

Wetherby

3.55 1m Class 5 Handicap – Shawaamekh 3/1

Has a good pedigree for the grade, didn’t start his career until last season as a 4yo and won on his 5th start over the Catterick 7 furlongs smashing the field by 6 lengths staying on strongly looking like a mile would see more, that was a good form race to add a more spice. He returned this season after a long absence in a good race at Wetherby, he impressed with a keeping on 2nd screaming out for further, the form was strong with the winner winning previously in another strong form race and the 3rd Kupa River also winning NTO, both with race fitness on their side too. Shawaamekh is due to go up 3lb for that but goes unpenalised in this and will of come on for the run, he gets the extra distance which is a huge plus and drops into an easier race.

Wolverhampton

7.30 1m1f Class 4 Handicap – Badenscoth 5/2

Was rated 81 just over a year ago and quickly fell down the handicap to 67 after 5 races and a long break in between, a huge 14lb drop, he soon took advantage of the the drop in weight and returned to form for the extra trip on his first try on the Wolverhampton tapeta dominating a decent field, he went up 7lbs for the victory and ran again on the tapeta, the early pace was lacklustre but that didn’t stop another dominant performance coming from off the pace leaving him looking very well in still, he goes up another 6lb for that and runs a slightly stronger race, but evidence of last run he looks very well in off 80 still and has a big chance to claim the hat trick. Franny Norton is back in the saddle whose 2 from 3 on his back and was on his last 2 wins, he’s having a good season and has a good record when teaming up with Dean Ivory with a 20% strike rate and +£6.11 LSP which also is slightly better the last 5 seasons.

Russell Blair

Sorry, not got time for full write ups, but these are what I’m backing today.

Newmarket

2.55 Flavius Titus 5/1

3.35 Star Terms 28/1

4.45 Maqsad 6/4

Russell Blair

Newmarket

2.55 1m4f Group 2 Roaring Lion Stakes – Coronet 15/8

Super consistent mare that’s chasing that Group 1 winner, she was unlucky last year with three 2nds in Group 1’s, one of which she was just outdone in a head bopping photo finish when looking the winner for the majority of the race. She starts her campaign this season in a Group 2 like last year when winning the Middleton Stakes on seasonal debut to take her record to a unbeaten 4 from 4 away from Group 1 company, like winning last season on debut she also won her maiden to prove she goes very well fresh, she’s also proved she enjoys taking on her opposite sex on more than one occasion. She’s won over the Rowley Newmarket course on her only try and goes on any ground, so she won’t mind what the going stick says at any point or if that heavy predicted rain comes. Trainer John Gosden is in his usual flying form with 36 winners to his name already this season, a 30% win strike rate and 62% win & place strike rate and again looking to add to his 4 black type wins already this year, plus at a course he has a very healthy +£97.95 level stakes profit. Usual partner Frankie Dettori is called upon once again who knows the mare well with 3 wins on her back, he’s in fantastic form himself with a 30% strike rate and rode a winning hat trick from 4 rides on Wednesday at Ascot and has a exceptional partnership with John Gosden with close to 500 wins and over £17.5 million in prize money just on British soil alone and backing them blind to a pound you’d be £41.71 up over the years, not many powerhouse partnerships you can say that about, if any.

3.35 1m Group 1 2000 Guineas – Madhmoon 15/2 Great Scot 16/1 e/w 4 places

Changed my mind on this race more than once, initially I liked Magna Grecia after an impressive 2yo campaign, was 2nd to French trained Persian King in a Group 3 over this C&D on just his 2nd run, with Persian King having the benefit of 2 extra runs and MG running green to finish just a neck away he clearly had the most scope of the 2 individuals and was the one to take away from the race. He backed that up when winning the Group 1 Vertem Futurity Stakes NTO, everything didn’t go entirely right for him and looked at one point as his chance was going to be wiped out with his path closing, but the colts quick turn of foot powered Donnacha O’Brien through the gap and past the line in front very eye catching in the process. However I’m a little thrown off with Ryan Moore choosing to ride Ten Sovereigns instead of Magna Grecia, he rarely gets his choice wrong especially in these Group 1 situations and says the yard think more of Ten Sovereigns, or his owning Magna at home or even Magna isn’t quite fit yet, either way I’m going to look elsewhere. Ten Sovereigns would then seem the logical replacement, which I toyed with for a long minute, unbeaten in his 3 starts as a 2yo and won the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes over this track when last seen, they was all over 6 furlongs and we’ve not seen him run past that yet, visually he looked like he’d at least get another furlong and had his ears pricked saying there was more to give, but running a stiff mile full tilt is a big ask and on pedigree raises more question marks than answers, on the dams side the sire Exceed And Excel was a sprinter and has produced some good milers but when given time and with age, the dam was a 10 furlong winner in France and did place in a listed race over 11f which does give hope, but then Sovereigns sire No Nay Never was also a Group 1 winning sprinter and strongly suggests sticking to sprinting, so with that being said I couldn’t back TS or MG at their current prices with any confidence. Attentions turn to Madhmoon who was the next most impressive 2yo, he won a very strong Group 2 juvenile over a mile at Leopardstown on just his 2nd start against mainly more experienced rivals, he didn’t have the best of draws and was caught widest throughout, he travelled like a dream and easily put the race to bed under hands and heels, the form took a big boost with the well beaten 2nd Broome nearly winning a Group 1 in France NTO, before smashing a Group 3 over 10f last month. Madhmoon had a nice prep for this in a Guineas trial last month over 7f, he was a little keen, he didn’t like the ground, was widest throughout and had a 3lb penalty, he however ran a fine race with all against him, today the step up back to a mile looks his optimum, I believe he will get more in time but right now a strongly run stiff mile is perfect, he’ll come on for the recent run, loses his penalty, a straight mile looks like it’ll bring out more as he’s more of a galloper and at present the ground is perfect and if the rain doesn’t come everything is on side for a huge run. One more to note is Great Scot, he’s really impressed in his 3 wins and even impressed in his loses, he’s very head strong and throws away his races with racing far too keen, clearly plenty of ability and potential and as soon as he learns to settle if he ever does, he’ll win some big races, today’s likely strong run mile will suit and could cause a surprise if he settles.

Doncaster

5.15 6f Class 3 Handicap – Naadirr 13/2

Has won on fast and soft ground, but is a true good ground specialist and gets his ground today, he loves Doncaster, with his record reading 113148 over this trip. He was rated as high as 111 once upon a time for Marco Botti but hasn’t found that level for Kevin Ryan but either way shows you how well in he is, his last win came here in a 0-95 with Jamie Spencer aboard off a mark of 92 last March, it was a far from perfect run which also showed you how well treated he is to still win the way he did, he carried that form well to place in a Group 3 in Italy, he finished the season below par in all 3 runs which prompted a wind surgery, he returned this season in much better light, finishing strongly on seasonal debut and then running well in a Group 3 on synthetics even if it doesn’t really suit, the return to turf in a much easier 0-90 handicap on his lowest handicap career mark (90) should see him looking very dangerous, he clearly loves the course and Jamie booked and are both big pluses.

Russell Blair

Lingfield

3.05 7f Class 3 Handicap – Game Player 11/8

Ran 2lb out of the Handicap in a deep 0-105 race at Newmarket when last seen, he was unfavored in the market for a yard that was and still is in fantastic form saying he needed the run, but still ran a solid race back in 4th, he’s back on his correct mark and runs in a much easier 0-90 race. Just the 4 runs to his name in handicaps, he’s the least exposed and the better bred horse of the field. Andrea Atzeni is serving a ban so Jack Mitchell takes the ride who has a great partnership with trainer Roger Varian with a 20% strike rate the last 5 years with a healthy +£12.52 level stake profit, this season alone, they have teamed up with 3 winners, a 30% strike rate and +£22.25 LSP. Roger Varian sends 2 to Lingfield and has a overall 28% strike rate at the course with a +£4.64 LSP.

Musselburgh

4.35 7f Class 5 Handicap – Our Charlie Brown 6/1

Loves Musselburgh, never far away and a twice C&D winner, on a losing run dating back to October 2017, but has slipped down to a near career low mark and into a class 5 for the first time in nearly 2 years, record in class 5’s or below reads 31121 over this trip. Looked a big threat LTO on seasonal debut on the AW, broke well, was a little keen in snatches, but shaped well and had his head in front over a furlong out, but quickly backed out of the race, looking like he needed the run, now fitter, eased by handicapper, back at a course he loves, down in class are all big positives for a big run today.

Chepstow

5.00 2m Class 6 Handicap – Three Star General 4/1

Was a 675,000 guineas purchase for Mr Magnier as a yearling and disappointed for Aiden O’Brien in his 7 starts on the flat before being shipped off to David Pipe as 4yo to become a hurdler, while not setting the world alight over obstacles, he was rated as high as 120 and has been in consistent good form recently with 4 seconds in his last 5 races. His mark of just 62 on the flat looks very exploitable compared to hurdles mark and was rated as high as 76 for O’Brien, he gets a further 3lb from claimer Finley Marsh, which is a huge 17lbs under his highest mark and races in a low 0-65 for the first time, not the easiest horse to win with, but the well bred gelding should be winning races like this off his current mark.

Russell Blair Racing