Tuesday 30th August

 

At the top of the market Infiniti with form figures of 1-1-1-2 but now off a mark of 56 and Purple Reign who has run well up to 14 furlongs so whose step up to 16 furlongs is logical, look solid if unspectacular and worthy of a small forecast if you wish.

 

I can't and won't get over excited about Easter Icon and Wadacre Tir who despite connections have no form of pedigree reasons to suggest that this marked step up in trip will suddenly see a massive improvement in form. Prophesise has run well at 10 furlongs but who is another who has to prove stamina for 2 miles.

 

At the other end of the scale are a few NH horses who clearly have the stamina but may lack the basic speed but who could stay on past beaten Flat specialists. Lady Shanawell from Ben Haslam yard is interesting in this context but one I do think worthy of a small investment is I'M TO BLAME for Keith Dalgleish. It's got decent NH form, has dabbled at this sort of trip on the Flat and did win an NHFlat race over 1 mile 7 furlongs. At the price I think worth a small flutter.

 

Merlins Gold showed a few signs of form last time but the one who really does jump off the page at me is TOMORROWS ANGEL. It won a race over this trip at Catterick last year off a mark of 56 and had a previous win at Musselburgh off 53. Those are very easy 2 miles and this isn't particularly a tough 2 miles and having had a recent pipe opener if it's fit enough to run to that kind of level it has outstanding each way claims here.

 

 

--------

 

 

A competitive race for the Grade

 

At the head of the market I think Hurt You Never may now be in the grip of the handicapper, ENDERMAN though looks a solid win saver bet if you want one and looks tough to beat.

 

Highland Queen holds very strong claims but may just need the run off an unexplained 3 month break, Tashgheel may not benefit from the drop in trip and Chester le Streak is feared but would not be a confident pick. Sydney Bay is one I fear and is an unexposed 3 year old for the in form Ann Duffield yard but a couple with far more experience really jumped off the page at me.

 

The Gay Blade could lead them all a merry dance for a long way from Stall 15, its been running prominently and fading over 7 furlongs and with enhanced places is worth a £1 each way saver bet and at big odds Politicsm an unexposed 3 year old from Bryan Smart also caught my eye. Audit for Ruth Carr is another who drops in trip and the addition of blinkers is interesting and would be reserve behind the following pair.

 

BURTONWOOD is a 10 year old who has dropped to a basement mark having been decent of at least a stone higher in the handicap for many seasons. It may have found a level though and Julie Camacho has her string in fine form. I just can't resist a bet at the odds.

 

GULLANE ONE really does tick every box for me. Off it's last win mark, a Course and Distance winner off a similar mark when getting home from Stall 5, it runs from Stall 6 and I will be very disappointed and frankly flummoxed if we aren't collecting at least some place money here.

 

TRACKER - Gullane One /  Shrapnel - Burtonwood (win saver - Enderman @ 4/1  / if any non runners - reserve is Audit)