Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Chester, Haydock and Newmarket. View selections below.
PASTORAL PLAYER (3.15) fairly hosed up in the Timeform Jury Stakes at Haydock 12 months ago and Hughie Morrison’s gelding is fancied to repeat the dose on a return visit to the Lancashire track. Pastoral Player goes well at the track and looked an unlucky loser four weeks ago when unable to secure a clear passage on the rails at a vital stage, staying on in fourth behind Eton Forever. The winner reopposes in an open contest but the ground will be much slicker, which favours Pastoral Player.
The Godolphin operation is clicking into gear and HANDSOME MAN (3.30) should go close in the 1m 4f handicap at Newmarket. The four-year-old won over course and distance last May before going close at Royal Ascot. Handsome Man reappeared at Thirsk in April, when edged out by Itlaaq in a blanket finish, and his form is rock solid.
Also at HQ, Sir Mark Prescott has enlisted Richard Hughes to ride BETWEEN US (5.15) in the 1m 6f handicap and the Cheveley Park Stud filly won’t need to step up on last weekend’s fine run behind Swinging Sultan at Doncaster to play a leading role.
Two fillies catch the eye at Chester, with SAINT HELENA (3.55) attempting to go one better than her second at Windsor on Monday night. She ran into a right tartar in Jupiter Storm but came home strongly from a long way back. Saint Helena, a previous winner at Windsor in early May, should enjoy the turning Roodee circuit and remains in good heart.
DUTCH MISTRESS (5.40) has drawn the box seat in stall one in the 7f handicap and there was promise of better to come when grabbing third spot behind Amosite at Warwick. She beat a subsequent scorer at Wolverhampton on her previous outing and is open to some improvement.
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Tally Ho
Alan
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