Epsom 3.20 - Handicap - Class 3 - 1 mile 4 furlongs - 11 run - Good to Firm

 

A fair few may need the run and a similar number have both better form on the AW or have stamina to prove over these 12 furlongs despite it being downhill for around 40% of the race.

 

I'm not yet convinced about Carnival Day at the trip but he would be a real contender if showing his 10 furlong form, Kotari a Course and Distance winner who has won fresh looks a solid each way option at 8/1 and Asgards Captain a Course and Distance third last Spring off a mark of 84, the same as today is worth an each way punt at 5/1 or higher. Race fitness just swings it for me so ASGARDS CAPTAIN is the tip (Kotari @ 8/1 the nb) (The Advisor)

 

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Thirsk 7.00 - Handicap - Class 4 - 1 mile 4 furlongs - 10 run - Good to Firm

 

With stamina and race fitness and turf form at a premium here I was really only left with 2 choices with any degree of confidence.

 

Cavern Club is the one they all have to beat, national hunt fit, 1lb above a winning 12 furlong flat mark and 9/4 would be win saver value. The each way value though very much lies with MASEKELA who should improve for an recent return run, as many of the Tim Easterby runners do, this one has trodden water off a high handicap mark for a couple of seasons but really should be capable of winning this and possibly a sequence off a mark of just 70 (RJ)

 

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Kelso 3.05 - Mares Novice Handicap Hurdle - Class 5 - 14 run - Good to Soft

 

A deeper race here and the likes of Tread Softly and Winds of Winter at the top of the market have yet to prove their stamina at the trip in a decent field. Our Girl Sal was quite decent and showed good form at times a few years back in Ireland so can't be written off, Fairland is a 3 mile P2P winner who may need the run and to find the right trip off a break of 303 days. 

 

At big odds my 3rd rated was Time Was @ 16/1 who has been a runner up a few times off this sort of mark and if any Bookies enhance to 4th place and you wanted the 3rd option she would definitely be my choice.

 

My top 2 rated though and backable in a 14 runner field to 4th place are ANAMANDA who ran a cracker for us at 16/1 in a tougher race last time to finish 3rd and who may have found a nice opportunity to improve on that here and veteran stablemate SO LADYLIKE still has plenty of ability in her locker and the drop back in trip and back to a mark of 74, which she has won off in the UK and placed in Ireland suggests a big run can be forthcoming (Northern)

 

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