FFOS LAS
Race 1 No1 KING ALEXANDER (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
KING ALEXANDER took a big confidence boost out of his recent triumph on handicap debut, an effort that was also his first after a breathing operation. He makes plenty of appeal against Jet Of Dreams with the pair set to dominate.
Race 6 No4 UNBLINKING
Trainer: Robert Bevis – Jockey: Finn Lambert
A horse with fewer miles on his racing clock than his foes, UNBLINKING usually earns when completing the course and can do so again. He put in a battling display when bowing only to Doctor Foley at Fontwell, and is fancied to go one better.
CARLISLE
Race 1 No6 TROPICAL AIR
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: Joe Fanning
All but one of the protagonists are newcomers and the bes5 news concerns TROPICAL AIR. The son of Showcasing has the smart Aesop’s Fable as a close relative, and though sure to appreciate further can strike over this stiff five furl9ngs.
Race 4 No1 WHAT’S THE STORY (Nap)
Trainer: Keith Dalgleish – Jockey: Connor Beasley
Since his return from a campaign in Bahrain WHAT’S THE STORY has performed with credit at Wolverhampton and Hamilton. He failed by a dwindling margin to cope with Pisanello on the last-named occasion, and looks cherry ripe to go one better on a belated first visit to this course.
REDCAR
Race 3 No2 MILTEYE (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Kevin Stott
MILTEYE spat out the dummy at Bath when hanging right in the straight cost him all chance, and then failed to justify favouritism at Goodwood. The Cable Bay colt is not straightforward, but with the experience of that run can raise his game and get off the mark.
Race 8 No1 GALILAEUS
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Hector Crouch
This is best left to in-form top-weight GALILAEUS who took a big step forward when opening his account at Bath. He’s out for more under a 6lb penalty, and can strike while the iron’s hot.
MARKET RASEN
Race 4 No2 PENS MAN (Nap)
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Kevin Brogan
The only bet on this tough card for betting is PENS MAN. The eight-year-old hasn’t done much wrong in four starts over the last year, scoring at Southwell last July and being brought down at Bangor in September between two near-misses at Market Rasen and Exeter. He’s won three from eight since switching to fences, and should have more to offer as he goes well when fresh off a break.
WINDSOR
Race 4 No8 HAYMAKER
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Rob Hornby
HAYMAKER shaped in eye-taking fashion when placed on his seasonal return at Newbury and is the go-to horse on that evidence. He’s a versatile performer who handles varying underfoot conditions, while his stable is starting to fire in some winners.
Race 5 No12 SHERBET FOUNTAIN (Each Way)
Trainer: David Simcock – Jockey: Jamie Spencer
Several in this fillies’ maiden have public form, making it a tough puzzle but one that offers value if we can get it right. The one that appeals at her price is SHERBET FOUNTAIN, a daughter of US sire Twirling Candy who started favourite for each of her two outings last year. Her Kempton debut effort was better than she showed at York, but she’s had time to develop through the winter, and can perform above her price in the market.
Race 7 No5 BRAVE KNIGHT (Nap)
Trainer: Sir MarkPrescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
BRAVE KNIGHT looks for all the world like a Prescott ‘special’ as the Sir Percy colt takes a notable step up in trip for his first run in a handicap. His best of three outings last season came on the last when he took home a minor cheque at Wolverhampton, but the fact that he was returned 100-1, 66-1 and 50-1 tells its own story.
Race 8 No7 GEARING’S POINT (Each Way)
Trainer: Sheena West – Jockey: George Bass
GEARING’S POINT was an 18-1 winner for us at Lingfield, and it’s now worth playing up some of the winnings on the mare in this competitive finale. She’s done well since that first appearance in a year, and needs respecting with Bass in the hot seat again.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 2-8)
2, 8 x 4, 2 x 8, 4, 6 x 12, 4, 7 x 4, 2 x 5 x 7, 5
R144