Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up another five to follow on Saturday’s Cards at Bath, York and Chester. Selections below
Striking while the iron is hot is clearly the thought of two trainers at Bath on Saturday and ON THE CUSP (2.20) and LUNAR PROMISE (5.10) are looking to supplement easy midweek successes. Richard Guest’s On The Cusp made mincemeat of some moderate sorts at Hamilton on Wednesday and clearly relished the easier underfoot conditions. Any further rain in the West Country would be welcome and I fancy the top weight to beat Art Scholar, also a winner a couple of days ago at Yarmouth.
The Ian Williams-trained Lunar Promise scored by no less than six lengths at Kempton, also on Wednesday night, and should make light of a 6lb penalty under talented apprentice Ryan Powell, who takes off 5lb.
Nina Carberry flies in from Ireland to ride JUST LILLE (2.10) in the Queen Mother’s Cup at York and she will need to be lively at the stalls to overcome a wide berth. However, Carberry has a willing partner in Just Lille, who loves to jump out quickly and bowl along in front.
Those forcing tactics worked a treat over course and distance three weeks ago when the mare didn’t see another rival from a long way out. Jim Goldie’s Staff Sergeant caught the eye when just denied at Ayr and stable assistant Carol Bartley is in the saddle.
BERTIEWHITTLE (5.00) is another arriving on the back of a last-time-out victory. My selection left a frustrating sequence of placed efforts behind him by spreadeagling a competitive little field at Musselburgh last Saturday and should cope with this slight rise in grade.
Best bet at Chester is BARKSTON ASH (5.05). The in-form sprinter is chasing a four-timer and is nicely berthed in stall three to attack early over this electric five furlongs. The son of Kyllachy was most impressive at Ripon last time, quickly crossing to the favoured stand rail and powering home.
Tally Ho
Alan
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