Only three go to post for the opening 10f fillies handicap at Lingfield – polytrack – and Lower Street must prove her stamina having looked a non stayer when a beaten Even money favourite over this trip at Ffos Las last month. She has been dropped 1lb for that effort, but Ocean Wave got off the mark when making all over 12f last time and is likely to ensure a decent gallop today.
Constanta (1.00) is another who got off the mark last time,but she was dropping back in trip to an extended nine furlongs on her all-weather debut – albeit on tapeta. I hope Tom Marquand keeps close tabs on Ocean Wave before finishing fast and late.
Clegane (3.30) boasts form figures over today’s C&D of 121 and she can improve on that record in the 7f handicap for Jane Chapple-Hyam. The filly is often slowly away which is a slight concern, but she has a good draw in stall two and the hope is that jockey Robert Tart, who has ridden the selection in her last couple of starts, can get a clear passage as he weaves his way through the field.
At Uttoxeter this afternoon Duc De Bourbon goes unpenalized for easily landing a poor conditional jockey’s event at Worcester ten days ago. The 5-y-old has been raised 8lbs for that fluent success but can run from his old mark today although I’m not convinced that was the most competitive of races with only four going to post and the runner up getting loose before the race.
Simply Loveleh (2.20) had not been asked a serious question when coming down three out at Bangor-on-Dee last month and she is an each way alternative to the short-priced market leader. The mare has never been the most consistent of animals, but two-and-a-half miles on good ground is ideal and she is only 2lbs higher than when scoring in a stronger race at Aintree back in May.
At Worcester this evening and I was impressed with the hurdle debut of Keepyourdreamsbig (6.35) at Uttoxeter when he finished runner up to another newcomer from the stable of Donald McCain and the latter saddles the main danger in Corporal Jones.
The selection jumped well on debut and is entitled to come on for the experience when he ran green when he hit the front. Corporal Jones went down by less than a couple of lengths to a penalised juvenile trained by Gary Moore when he, too, travelled and jumped like a sure-fire future winner. I just favour the Olly Murphy trained 3-y-old.
At Hamilton Molinari is only 3lbs higher than when scoring at Carlisle last time over today’s 11f trip, but I hope he helps set the race up for Riches And Rubies (6.20) who improved for the step up to 12f when scoring at Beverley last time and she can double up from a 3lbs higher mark.
The 3-y-old was taken out of a race at Leicester last month but has been given three weeks to get over that run, and the filly gets the vote for the old firm of Paul Hanagan and Richard Fahey. The 7lbs the classic generation receive from their elders at this time of the year tips the scales.
