Tuesday 12th June

The 3.30 at Salisbury sees a few in form but exposed types like Madame Jo Jo; Parable and Affluence take on a few less exposed whose step in to this level may find some improvement. A couple caught my eye, most notable JUNGLE QUEEN who ran its best 2 year old race over this Course on Good to Firm and who looks likely to be suited by the 7 furlongs here. The other more speculative one on form but shorter priced is Hannon#s WICKED SEA that one comes off the AW and on the firm Turf and looks the type to make a mark at some point - both I would suggested should be tracked whatever the result today.

At Thirsk in the 3.15 ALEEF steps up to 6 furlongs on turf for the first time since winning over the trip at Newmarket in 2016 in a Class 3off a mark of 91, it runs off 77 here and should frank the form of the progressive winner of the recent Epsom Dash, who we advised to win at 20/1. LEXINGTON TIMES continues to flatter to deceive, time before last at very big odds for us finishing like a train after being hampered. That is its running style but a rail draw here could suit it as it can sit in behind and in recent years they have left the rail late on and gone more for the middle of the Course. It looks a decent TRICAST opportunity with Case Key probably the next best.  

I really like the each way chances at big odds of RACEMAKER in the 3.45 at Thirsk; from a yard that will never be prolific but knows how to ready one when the handicapper relents in won a Ripon last year at this trip, one to follow on NEXT 3 RUNS I think off this mark as anything below 70 should ring "opportunity bells" and the 65 mark today down this long straight looks a nice chance at around 20/1 with odds to 4th place.

Finally at Southwell I have a pair in my Tracker that both look over-priced in the context of conditions in the 7.10. I prefer NEMEAN LION over CHANTECLER as NL is a Course and Distance winner (not Course and Distance). It was given probably an unfair handicap mark after winning a Novice race here and today sees its best chance in a handicap off a mark of 104 for Kirby and Dowson. CHANTACLER is a "flatterer" often looks like winning, but has not done so since 2014!; however, a very promising run at Ludlow last time; and this may be its best realistic opportunity since.

Plenty to have a bash at today and I will be very disappointed if we don't find a few nice winners and plenty of placed horses with the enhanced place odds on offer.