Quick selections - Saturday 6th September

19.20 Wolverhampton: My Renaissance @ 40/1 Bet365 - 1pt win

My Renaissance seems well worth a nibble over the new trip. Still generally lightly raced he has enough stamina in his pedigree to suggest that the step up to 12f does suit quite well. He lost a bit his way after he did well in Handicaps at Kempton earlier this year when he won a Apprentice race and finished a fine second in a subsequent Handicap. So surely the new trip needs to rejuvenate him but I give him a chance to do so and to outran his price tag with a good 5lb claimer in the saddle as additional assistance.

20.20 Wolverhampton: Desert Law @ 13/2 Betfred - 3pts win

He might be slightly better over five furlongs, but has also form over six and on his Tapeta form from Meydan he must rate a huge chance in this race off his current mark. In Dubai he was rated a good 100 and finished close behind subsequent top class Group performers. Back in the UK, he done well in a Handicap at Windsor lto and now the switch to the Wolverhampton Tapeta should make him a very competitive contender in this competitive race. The Handicapper is giving him a bit off a chance, taking 1lb off for his most recent effort. Richard Hughes in the saddle is another little plus and therefore I believe Desert Strike has a fine chance to win this.

20.50 Wolverhampton: Be Royale @ 6/1 Betfred - 2pts win

The first two in the betting are certainly of interest but have to defy new marks, and that brings rested Be Royale into contention. The filly comes from a well in-form yard and therefore should be ready to go. Her last forms weren't bad at all but it is the return to the All-Weather that is really interesting. She won two out of four times here at Wolverhampton - still on the old polytrack - the last time in decicive fashion in November of 2013 and there are reasons to believe that she can still improve a bit, particularly being back up in trip again.

Wolverhampton fancies for Saturday night!

17.45 - Class 5 Handicap, 7f: Market leader Hardy Black is the selection of tipster Hugh Taylor and warrants plenty of respect on Handicap debut. An opening mark of 70 is fair for what he has achieved, however far from generous given the race he won back in January on the old Wolverhampton polytrack surface, was quite a poor one and through collateral form he has to improve further to be able to be better than this current mark. Scruffy Tramp makes more appeal on the basis of odds. The gelding seemed to find back to some sort of form recently at Kempton, when finishing well in fourth, not far beaten, and with a clear run he'd be finished much closer. Only his second start over 7f that day, he is expected to do better over this trip taking his pedigree into account. All his best forms came on the All-Weather, mainly as a 2yo when he was quite promising. Down to a really low mark, over this trip, with a good apprentice on board, he should go close. --- Scruffy Tramp @ 4/1 PP -3pts win

18.50 - Class 3 Handicap, 12f: A rather wide open race that doesn't contain too many obvious chances. The Godolphin favourite is a grand horse, did well to finish second at Sandown in his penultimate start when he didn't quite stay the 14f trip, but looked awkward in his most recent outing. He doesn't appear to be well handicapped and offers poor value on price basis. if Modernism would get an easy lead he might be able to balance out his stamina question marks. However pace should be on today and therefore he should be found out for staying ability. Cousin Khee likes it further, however goes well on all the different kinds of All-Weather surfaces. But I do really like the chance of Flying Power at 14's. He loves the All-Weather, is in fine form as he won a race on turf in good style recently. now back on his beloved polytrack, he has a good chance to go really well as he has won off higher marks in the past. --- Flying Power @ 14/1 - 2pts win 

21.20 - Class 6 Handicap, 9f: Speedy Rio makes a bit of appeal on Handicap debut here, stepping up in trip, which could well suit on pedigree. He didn't show anything in three maidens and has to start out off the weights here, but off 51 he is an interesting contender anyway, given that he is related to All-Weather winners on the dam side. Luke Morris and trainer LA Dace have a decent partnership, and usually do well at Wolverhampton. So all in all Speedy Rio could be a good deal better than what he showed so far and this is surely a poor enough field. --- Speedy Rio @ 16/1 Coral - 1pt win

PREVIEW: Superior Mile (Group 3)

14.40 Haydock: Superior Mile (Group 3) - Wonderful little Group race with a clear favourite, that is Captain Cat. A Group 3 winner over 1m, he was a bit unlucky at Goodwood in the G2 Celebration Mile recently and on that form has a major chance here today. However he has to give weight away and might not be ideally suited by the ground which should be rather on the easy side of good. Short Squeeze was a very impressive winner of a big York Handicap a fortnight ago and seems a horse ready to go into pattern class. Trip and ground are fine for him and he should go well. if he is quite good enough and really suited by the small field is another question. 

Richard Hannon's Emell was a fine 2nd in the Celebration mile recently and is a grand horse. If he can run to this last form, he'll be right there when it matters, but on balance there are doubts about his ability to perform against this excellent opposition. Penitent would probably prefer more rain, but he is a good horse as we all know, an he'll run his race. Hard to fancy Balty Boys here today, but it is very easy to really like Ocean Tempest. Rapidly improving this year, he won the Lincoln, two Listed races and a Handicap at Chester last week with an almighty performance, coming from behind, of a mark off 115, yet done it so easily. Clearly he is Group class. He is the highest rated horse in the race and deserves to win finally on Group level. This seems an ideal opportunity as he proved his tactical versatility in the past, which means, this small field won't pose any problems. --- Ocean Tempest @ 11/4 - 4pts win

Kempton Park Selections - Saturday 6th September

13.45 Kempton: Conditions Stakes - Not much form on offer in this race for two year old colts and geldings, though all four runners seem to be well bred enough to suggest they could turn out to be decent horses. Odds-on favourite Power Game poses and impressive entry for next years Epsom Derby and he is bred to excel over trips beyond a mile indeed. His strong finish on debut over 6f after missing the break and not getting a clear run in the home straight must go down as very strong form and he'll improve plenty for that experience, with the benefit of an additional furlong today. However his sire's record with 2yo over 7 furlongs isn't all that impressive and I feel he is vulnerable to speedier sorts. So for that reason I'll be taking him on. 

Bravo Zolo has equally impressive entries for big Group 1's. He did okay on debut, but seemed to lack the speed required over 7f. That says he didn't get beaten up in the closing stages and he is sure improve. Not enough for me to have an interest in him at current odds. Pedigree wise I do like Russian Reward who is related to some useful sorts and should relish the All-Weather. He was extremely green on his first start, but should have learned plenty. However the most interesting runner in this field is undoubtedly the Godolphin newcomer Strong Chemistry. A very expensive €620k yearling, he is obviously lovely bred and should have no problem for this trip whatsoever. It's a tough task on debut to race against some fine rivals, but he could easily be the best of this lot if he can fulfill what the pedigree promises and for that reason I take a chance on him for odds that offer value in my mind. --- Strong Chemistry @ 7/1 Sportingbet - 2pts win

14.55 Kempton: London Mile Handicap (Class 2) - A 16 runner Handicap over a mile around Kempton - it certainly screams competitiveness. Plenty of horses are in with a chance and you can make a good case for more than a handful of runners, but if it is about value, there is one horse that clearly caught my eye, and that is the ultra consistent George Cinq. The four old gelding is a course and distance winner and was back in April in a similar competitive Handicap here a very unlucky sixth, when not beaten far, but simply not getting a real shot on goal, they'd say in soccer. Well, that is a bit the story with this horse. He's trailing often, and needs to have things falling his way. Certainly he needs this bit of luck today in such a big field too. But a strong pace seems guaranteed, which is vital for George Cinq's chance, and he enjoys it to fly through the field, picking up one after another. So in terms of that, it could be frustrating today, but he might well be also spectacular to watch. 

He was a fine winner at Ascot in June, defying top weight under a confident ride, travelling like a dream. Almost similar story at Sandown subsequently,, however the rider a bit too, confident that day and George Cinq got touched off. Slightly up in trip in a very competitive Goodwood Handicap where he finished a strong 3rd off his current mark, is his latest form. And on balance he has a very good opportunity to run a big race of a mark off 88 with very useful 5lb claimer Louis Stewart in the saddle. ---- George Cinq @ 16/1 Bet365 - 1pt e/w

PREVIEW: September Stakes (Group 3)

14.20 Kempton: September Stakes (Group 3) - Against common belief, the renewal of the September Stakes clearly proved that All-Weather racing can be exciting. An excellent field of seven runners are going to post on Saturday to fight for a decent pot of money on Kempton's Polytrack surface. Godolphin has naturally a very strong hand in this race. They won it last year with Prince Bishop and the seven year old gelding will try to defend his crown, after a very fruitful time in Meydan earlier this year, which resulted in two impressive Group successes. On that evidence he has a very fine chance here, though he has to give an awful lot of weight away to his rivals, which makes this a difficult task. Trainer Saeed bin Suroor has another strong chance in the line-up with last years Cumberland Lodge Stakes winner Secret Number. The Raven's Pass son improved nicely throughout 2013, however had a setback earlier this year and for that reason has been off the track for almost a year now. Will he be sharp enough for this tough test on his seasonal reappearance?

Globetrotter Red Cadeaux is never to be underestimated. His performance in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury last month was impressive, and he is a consistent Group performer. He hasn't won for almost two years now and isn't getting any younger. It remains to be seen if this race is run to suit him. Fellow globetrotter Dandino is hitting a bit of form finally this season, as his recent runner-up effort in the American St. Leger clearly proved. He won the September Stakes back in 2012 and must enter calculations for sure. The William Haggas trained Batallion seemed to have lost his form completely since he made a winning seasonal debut. It's hard to see him being good enough to have a realistic chance in this excellent field. Winter Derby winner Robin Hoods Bay has a nice turn of foot and is a real All-Weather specialist, he might not be entirely suited by the 12f trip. 

Arguably the strongest form to offer has the third Godolphin runner, Cat O'mountain. He ran out a fine 3rd in the Dubai World Cup, following on a couple of excellent efforts over there. He clearly seems to relish syntchetic surfaces, as he has done equally well at Kempton as he did in Meydan. Unbeaten in four starts on the polytrack, he rates a big chance to land the September Stakes. According to trainer Charlie Appleby, this race was the target for Cat O'mountain for quite a while. So it would be easy to assume that the four year old will be primed on his first start back in Europe after the successful campaign in Dubai. The only real question mark to find about Cat O'mountain is concerning his ability to stay the trip. He won over trips up to 11f, but did only have one start over further up until now - a fine 3rd place in a Newmarket Handicap when he tired late after using loads of energy throughout the race before. On pedigree he can get the trip, but it is not entirely likely. On balance though, with his excellent All-Weather record in mind, he should have every chance to run a big race here and that makes him potentially the horse to beat. 

Verdict: Plenty of interesting horses in the line-up. The last two September Stakes winners have to enter calculations, while Robin Hoods Bay really loves the All-weather. Godolphin's Secret Number is potentially a class act if fit after a long break, but it is Charlie Appleby's Cat O'mountain who gets the nod. He has to prove his ability to stay the trip, but on form as well as his preference for synthetic surfaces he must have a very big chance to land the spoils. --- Cat O'mountain @ 3/1 Bet365 - 5pts win

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We had a lovely 8/1 SP winner with Charlotte's Day on Thursday at Wolverhampton. As expected, the filly was much improved on her first handicap start over the new trip, which suited her allot on pedigree. She attacked the lead aggressively from well over 3f out and drew clear in the closing stages to win by four lengths. The hot odds-on favourite was never seen.

NAP Of The Day - Thursday 4th September 2014

19.40 Wolverhampton: Charlotte's Day @ 13/2 William Hill - 3pts win

Hot favourite Authorized Too looks to have a big chance to follow on from his recent impressive success, but ten pounds up, different surface and an additional furlong are obstacles to overcome. Sir Mark Prescott's Charlotte's Day is a much bigger price and a very interesting runner on her first run after a long break and the fact that she is stepping up dramatically in trip. 

I believe she hasn't been campaigned over the right distance in her first four starts, all in maiden company, and therefore her opening mark is underestimating her true potential. She is nicely bred and on pedigree should improve a good deal for the new trip. Charlotte's Day is a full sister to the Big Thunder, a gelding who excelled as a 3yo for Prescott last year, who was a winner of races up to 14f of marks up to 93. That doesn't mean that Charlotte's Day will be able to reach those heights, but she showed promise in all her starts last year over short trips. Ground is a question mark, but if she is fine on the Tapeta surface, and if she can settle in the early parts, then she'll be a very big runner over this trip off her current mark.

Quick Selections: Wednesday 3rd September 2014

17.35 Lingfield: Shuriken @ 2/1 Bet365 - 5pts win

Poor maiden and the horses with form and a handicap mark allocated already, are far from world beaters. The favourite is solid enough, yet very much vulnerable against improving opposition. It seems unlikely that Invasor Luck is able to improve beyond his current mark, which he seems to be flattered by anyway. 

The one time raced filly Shuriken makes plenty of appeal on her second start though, now switching to the All-Weather, which should suit on pedigree. She is in receive of 5lb by most of her rivals in this 12f Handicap today, which emphasizes the strong chance she aready has here on pure form. She gave a strong impression on her debut at Newmarket when she got only beaten by a neck in a tight finish by an 82 rated animal leaving a 71 rated horse eight lengths behind her that day. She poses a quite decent pedigree and one would imagine that she will improve for the recent experience. With natural progress to expect here, Shuriken should be good enough to beat her four rivals today and get off the mark. 

20.10 Kempton: Mythical Madness @ 9/2 Bet365 - 3pts win

Competitive looking Handicap, though I really feel it's all about the three year olds as they receive so much weight and are highly rated. While four year old makes appeal on form and looks a very decent horse, she might find it too much to give weight away against talented younger rivals. Favourite Anglo Irish won nicely at Kempton last time out, pulling out more and more in the closing stages. A 3lb penalty shouldn't prevent him from running a big race. Rapidly progressing Sleeper makes appeal as bottom weight and is one a four-timer today, more is required here though and on paper it is Mythical Madness who makes most appeal for a price I consider too generous to refuse. The Dubawi colt should be very much suited by the switch to the All-Weather, considering the strong form of his sire on synthetics. While on pedigree, the step up to 12f might not look completely what this colt is bred for, his sire poses an impressive record over this course and distance. To put more emphasis on the notion that the new trip can bring out further improvement, Mythical Madness always looked in his races like a horses that is screaming for further. He ran with credit in his last two starts, following up on a nice maiden win, but those two times he got outpaced and looked flat footed once the pace kicked on in the closing stages, while he was staying on nicely. He seems talented enough and I imagine that he has still more to offer from his current mark.

NAP Of The Day - Sunday 24th August 2014

16.45 Goodwood: Artistic Muse @ 9/1 Betfred

Intriguing handicap, without too much class on offer despite the fact that this race is classed as a class 3 Handicap. Too many questions over the head of too many horses, which is the reason why a recent wide margin maiden winner - who however beat some extremely poor opposition - is the favourite here. Sure, Spiritoftheunion looked impressive when she slaughtered her rivals and it could well be that she has much more to offer from her opening mark, on the other hand the form isn't strong and she has to prove herself today. I'm happy to take her on. It could be stated that Jordan Princess is the class act in the field. A creditable runner-up behind Taghrooda back in May in Listed company is surly the strongest form on offer here today, however since then she seemed to have completely lost all the spark and the step up in trip gonna have to be the game changer for her. It's easy to oppose her on all that evidence with her short price in mind. Wihlana is a decent lto winner, might find this today a good deal more difficult though, particularly against the younger rivals with their WFO allowance. 

Lightly raced Thurayaat seems not to be without talent, the trip is a worry though and I'm not confident enough to think that she stays thus far. Tioga Pass won impressively over course and distance in rainy conditions earlier this year, her mark was adjusted accordingly and she struggled subsequently. It remains to be seen if her current rating isn't a bit too much. Lady Cecil's Phaenomena ouldn't confirm the promise she showed as a three year old. She has to regain some old sparkle to be competitive today. Three year old Artistic Muse from the bottom of the weights won well at Ffos Las last time out on her first try over 12f. Lightly raced and unexposed, it is not impossible to see her improving further and despite a rise of 6lb in the mark, she makes some appeal, considering that she beat some decent rivals the last time. She seems a rather big price, taking all of that into consideration.

PREVIEW - King's Bishop Stakes (Grade 1)

9:33 Saratoga - King's Bishop Stakes (Grade 1) - Seven furlongs do bring often different types of horses together. Sprinters that try to stretch their stamina, and those with a bit more stamina who try to come down in trip. 7f is such a diffiult trip, yet that makes it quite an interesting test here today. Favourite Coup De Grace won the Grade 2 Amsterdam Stakes over 6 1/2 furlongs in fine style last month here at Saratoga. He needs a strong place as is usually hold up far off the speed. It seems likely that this race won't end in a crawl, and he gets 7f as he proved in the past. Solid favourite, seeking a first success on the highest level. Well fancied is the very reliable and consistent Wildcat Red. Third in the G1 Haskell recently, albeit a long way beaten by the winner, drops in trip and will try to be right up with the pace ensuring it's a stamina test, as one would think, despite some form over shorter in the book, that 8-9f is his optimum. He has obvious claims, but might found one or another too speedy in the finish.

Lightly raced The Big Beast has earned himself a place in this field thanks to two impressive performances in the last couple of weeks. he followed up on his maiden success with a wide margin victory in allowance company here at Saratoga, earning a very high Beyer figure, suggesting he is very much up to pattern class. He'll have learned plenty from that run against older horses, as connections are certainly hoping. They opted against a run in the Amsterdam and decided to give him an easier run to gain more experience. The Big Beast is stepping up in trip, but on pedigree he should have no issues with that whatsoever. Receiving a bit of weight from the other well fancied runners must give him a chance to be competitive. He worked impressively at the track last week too. Fast Anna is another lightly raced runner. The colt was a 13 lengths winner on her second only start last month. It remains to be seen if she is good to enough to contest in a Grade 1 though. 

Verdict: Plenty of pace in this race with three or four usually ridden on the lead. Will be interesting to see how that pans out and there won't be any hiding place if it comes to staying the trip. That should ensure that Wildcat Red has a good chance to run a big race, bringing his stamina into play. The likely quick race will certainly suit Coup De Grace's hold-up running style. While The Big Beast might be able to settle behind the pace, switching off and using his raw power when it matters at the tight time. He's a very interesting runner and has loads of potential to improve. It's a big step up in class, but he could be quite a big price when he is able to run to the level of lass he hinted to potentially have in his last two. 

The Big Beast @ 4/1 Betfair (SB) - 3pts win

PREVIEW - 2014 Ebor Handicap

15.50 York: Ebor Handicap - As it it's usually the case, the Ebor is as an incredibly competitive race, so is this years renewal. Twenty runners, and it's easy to make a case for more than half of the field! Yes, it's a top prize on offer, with top class horses all around in the line-up. The Ebor is not for nothing the most valuable flat racing Handicap in Europe. 

Lady Cecil won the race with Tiger Cliff last year, and she's holding a strong hand in this years renewal yet again. With Mighty Yar she trains the second favourite. This still lightly races four year old colt is improving nicely, after shaping with loads of promise on his sole start in 2013 and looks one who has a big win in him. That's says he's clearly bound to run a mighty race this afternoon. Lady Cecil's second string, Retirement Plan, is also one not to underestimate. A winner over 2m in his latest outing, he brings good form into this race and could easily progress further, however might be found out for speed. Of the two Cecil runners, Mighty Yar is clearly the one to be most interested in.

Worthy favourite Pallasator is hard to fault. He has impressive form, is sure to get the trip, won't have a problem with the ground, could be still progressing with not too many miles on the clock and comes from a good yard. The wide draw could be a negative, but doesn't have to be. His most recent success was extremely impressive, when he prevailed so powerful at Ascot. The only thing possibly not to like is his short price. Personally I rather try to find some value in a bigger price, as a short price in such a big and competitive Handicap doesn't make me feel too comfortable, but it is easy to see why he is so prominent in the betting. He'll be thereabouts.

Godolphin's Wadi Al Hattawi was unlucky at Ascot and can improve for the new trip. He doesn't do too much for me though and think there are more likely sorts in this race, which also says 12/1 doesn't strike me as a particularly generous price. Clever Cookie, dead-heated here at York in Listed company earlier this year, was probably not quite suited by fast ground and 10f in his latest and will be better back over the 14f trip - still, rather quick ground is a worry. De Rigueur is a very interesting runner. He has collateral form with the favourite and he relishes these big handicaps, where he can cruise through gaps passing horses, just to be asked for everything as late as possible. This is a perfect test for him in terms of trip, ground and fast pace very much to suit, in addition to top class form in the book. I do like him allot, however feel he'll need an awful lot of in-running luck taking into account his running style. Sir Michael Stoute's Bold Sniper is a good horse, not sure if he gets the trip however. Sir Walter Scott is extremely lightly raced and could spring a surprise trying this trip for the first time. Hard to be too confident about his chances though, simply on the basis that we don't have any indication of what to expect. Van Percey could be well able to defy a 4lb penalty, a career best is required though. Johnny Murtagh's Mutual Regard is one I do like allot. Probably better over 2m, but his 3rd behind Pale Mimosa in Group company is strong form and the fast pace is likely to play into his hands. Good apprentice on board, he could be one staying on late. 

By far the most interesting horse in this field is Great Hall, in my mind. He poses a very interesting profile. Lightly raced, talented and classy as a 3yo, connections felt he could be good enough to contest a Leger. Didn't quite work out but there is any indication that he has nicely progressed over the winter month. He was an improving sort in 2013, when he landed two competitive Handicaps, following a stint at Meydan earlier this year, which was a mixed experience. One good performance in a strong and competitive Handicap, where he was attempting to make all, and just tired late, in addition to one below par run. Back in home soils, on his first start in the UK this season for new connections and surprisingly without blinkers, he ran a mighty race in a Listed. Travelling nicely, while not getting the clearest of runs on the inside for large parts of the home straight, he got out over 2f out and was caught up in a fight with the horse right beside him. Entering the final furlong he looked the winner, but on the stands side two rivals stayed on strongly and it might well have been the case that Great Hall either idled in front, or was still fully concentrated on the horse on his far side. O course he might just got tired after being only back from a break. He finished 3rd eventually, which appears to be strong form as it didn't work out too badly subsequently. If Great Hall is able to run to this kind of form again, he'll go extremely close I feel. He's still an improving sort, and currently on a mark of 99, it is far from impossible that he is well in here today. 

Last years favourite Ted Vale is sure to run his race again in this years renewal. He is a consistent sort, however he's 1lb higher than last year and he wasn't able to win it in 2013, so it is hard to see why he should go better this season. As a seven year old he is hardly improving, however he has each-way claims. Whiplash Willie was third on his latest start in a Group 2 over 2m. Fitted with blinkers today, he's is not without a chance, but he appears to be more of an out and out stayer and has a tough assignment on his current Handicap mark. Galileo son Dare To Achieve seems high enough in the mark, but might offer a bit of improvement for the new trip. Mick Channon's Elidor is consistent, but hard to see him good enough to win this of a mark off 99. 

Verdict: Pallasator will prove very popular with punters, and rightly so. He has a leading chance. If you are comfortable backing a rather short price in a big field, then he is probably the "go to" horse and a solid bet. Not for me though. I believe Mighty Yar will run a mighty race, also expect Murtagh's Mutual Regard to do very well, and if he gets the gaps at the right time then De Rigueur is a very dangerous horse. However Great Hall has the most interesting profile for me. Lightly raced, improving, strong recent form, potentially well in the weights. I do like him allot, and think he is well overpriced. 

Great Hall @ 25/1 Bet365 - 1.5pts e/w

NAP Of The Day - Thursday 21st August 2014

20.50 Wolverhampton: Madame Mirasol @ 5/2 VC - 3pts win

Quick selection today, as the race is soon - our NAP of the day: Won well over course and distance ten days ago. Turned out under penalty now, but probably should be much higher than only those 6lb for her recent very comfortable success. Weight for age allowance now taking on the older horses kind of cancels out this penalty though, so does the booking of a reliable 5lb claimer. Wide draw is the only real worry. Still Madame Mirasol must have a huge chance to follow up on her last success.

NAP Of The Day - Tuesday 19th August 2014

19.00 Leicester: Class 4 Handicap - I have to take on the favourite in this race. Endless Credit has a good chance on recent form to go well, but might be simply found out for speed since form and breeding suggests he's more of a 10f horse than a miler. Three year old Express Himself is clearly in excellent form and must rate a big chance, only 1lb higher than at his recent strong Epsom performance, but not sure if the drop in trip ideal and he's plenty short enough. There seems to be a good deal of pace in this race, with the Maverik, Ocean Storm and Henry The Aviator likely to fight for the lead. All three like to go from the front, and that should ensure it'll be no crawl today. Siouxperhero is on a four timer and clearly in good nick. This is much harder than what he encountered in all his recent starts and I find it hard to see this actually quite exposed horse to step up to the level of form required to be really competitive in this. 

I do however feel that Postscript makes plenty of appeal at 9/1. Usually he's much shorter in races like this when he has conditions in favour, i.e. fast ground. He is not in bad form at all, was not quite suited by the soft ground at Haydock last time out though and is better judged on the two fine performances before. On past form he rates a big chance today, with the fast ground provided he likes so much. He won off 85 and 87 last year good Handicaps, and rated at 84 at the moment, he must have a very good chance to run his race, as there is no indication that he isn't worth this mark. He should be suited by the quick pace too, so on balance, he's quite a big price in my mind.

Postscript @ 9/1 VC - 2pts win