Two flat cards this afternoon and two twilight jumps meetings to follow on the final day of August.
In the 10f handicap at Epsom I believe Uncle Dick (4.35) will appreciate the return to 10f although his draw out on the wing in stall ten is less than ideal. The gelding – 4s with MansionBet – has yet to win beyond a mile, but he ran as well as he has done when third at this trip under Charlie Bishop at Goodwood from a 3lbs higher mark back in June. Note he wore cheekpieces when again finishing in the bronze medal position at Sandown on ground softer than ideal last time and the headgear is reapplied today.
At Ripon Strawman looks a vulnerable favourite in the 10f handicap despite winning his two starts since joining the stable of Karen Tutty. The 4-y-old has been raised 10lbs for those successes at Beverley and Carlisle – both stiff tracks – although his latest win was gained over 9f, and this additional furlong will suit.
The vote goes to Sudona (2.30) who has been plying her trade over 12f of late but drops back in trip this afternoon for David O’Meara. The selection – 4s with 10Bet – is 1lb below his last winning mark and got run out of it close home over a mile-and-a-half here at the beginning of the month from today’s mark. Briardale should ensure a decent gallop and I hope to see Danny Tudhope swoop fast and late on the mare.
Joe Tizzard will take over the reins at the family’s training base in Dorset as soon as he completes an outstanding training module, and it will bring the curtain down on an outstanding career for his father Colin. I hope the stable can have another winner at Newton Abbot this afternoon courtesy of Sizing Cusimano (6.30) who went down by just a neck at Uttoxeter last month over three miles.
The selection – 7/4 with Boylesports – can race from the same mark this afternoon and had won his last two – including over today’s 3m 2f trip – so comes into today’s race, arguably, in the form of his life. My love affair with Fact Of The Matter is well documented, but I have finally drawn stumps with Jamie Snowden’s 11-year-old after a tepid performance at Market Rasen at the beginning of the month.
Acdc will appreciate the drop back to the minimum trip having jumped and travelled very well before folding tamely at Perth over an additional half mile last time. I cannot desert Captain Cobajay (5.15) who did us a favour when scoring at Stratford last week and can defy a 7lbs penalty.
The selection – 2s with William Hill – was ridden confidently by Callum Bewley and was well on top at the end with the third 14L back from the runner up Costly Diamond who looks handicapped to win at present. The selection jumped slightly out to his right in the midlands, and he may prefer to race right-handed, but he looks well ahead of the handicapper.
