UK racing this Saturday 17 June comes your way from meetings at York, Sandown and Chester.
YORK
Race 1 – KIHAVAH 7/2
KIHAVAH has really found his footing of late, with triumphs across both codes, and the six-year-old is fancied to record a third course and distance success.
SARATOGA GOLD made a pleasing reappearance when third at Newmarket last month and is feared most off 1lb lower.
DREAM HARDER should appreciate this return to 1m 4f and Ian Williams’ gelding looks to have more races in him off his mark too, while the in-form BOLLIN MARGARET cannot be discounted either.
Race 3 – ISRAR 13/10
ISRAR lost out to Haskoy in the final strides on his return to action, but compensation awaits in the Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Grand Cup Stakes at York.
John and Thady Gosden’s charge looked set to claim the Group Three Aston Park at Newbury, but Frankie Dettori conjured a decisive final burst from the now-retired Haskoy to pinch the prize by a short head.
That was Israr’s best run to date – a fact reflected by his new mark of 111 – and he looks a horse on the up, with a handy 5lb pull over Roberto Escobarr and closely matched with Quickthorn on the ratings.
Race 4 – GARNER 25/5
GARNER can make it two from two for Archie Watson in the Macmillan Sprint Handicap.
Bred and originally owned by the late Queen, he won one of two starts for the Charlton team before being sold for 30,000 guineas in February.
The three-year-old gave new connections an immediate return by hosing up at Lingfield at the start of the month in what was only a moderate affair, but his juvenile form looks quite smart and a mark of 88 might underestimate his ability.
SANDOWN
Race 2 – NEW DIMENSION 5/1
NEW DIMENSION takes the eye on his return in this handicap outing at Sandown.
An eye-catching last-gasp winner for Sir Michael Stoute on his only juvenile start, he failed to live up to expectations last term, suffering a surprise odds-on reverse in a spring novice before trailing home last on his first attempt in handicap company.
He was then gelded and finished off with a fair fourth at Yarmouth, where the 10-furlong trip perhaps just proved a bit of a stretch.
Dropping back to a mile, it is interesting connections have persevered after initially entering him in the autumn sales last year.
Race 3 – TAJALLA 5/2
TAJALLA can take another step up the ladder with Listed success in the Molson Coors Scurry Stakes at Sandown.
Trained by Roger Varian, the three-year-old has seen only limited action so far, but it would be hard to quibble with two wins in as many starts.
The son of Kessaar looked a horse of potential when winning a novice at Newmarket in April last year but he did not run again after being withdrawn from the National Stakes with a vet’s certificate.
A lack of experience and that lengthy lay off probably both came into play on his return at Hamilton in May, having to switch for a run before being pushed all the way to the line by Silent Words to prevail by a head.
Nevertheless, there was much to like about that win and while the runner-up could not subsequently frank the form at York, Tajalla has any amount of potential improvement to come and this looks an ideal test before switching up again in class.
CHESTER
Race 4 VENETIAN 10/1
Narrowly denied at Haydock last week under a positive ride, VENETIAN can be expected to employ similar tactics despite a wide draw.
The son of Awtaad still looks to be off a workable mark and he is narrowly preferred to the progressive Sophia’s Starlight, who arrives in search of a third victory this season.
The relatively unexposed Tafreej and Saxon King are others to consider.
