By Charlie McCann
Joe Fanning enjoyed an excellent week at Glorious Goodwood riding four winners for boss Mark Johnston and Pontefract bound this afternoon for four rides with Rocket Ship (3.40) his best chance of a winner in the feature mile and a half handicap. The chance ride is just the second in his career for Sir Michael Stoute and comes on the back of a record-breaking 37 winners in July.
Rocket Ship ended a sequence of three straight seconds with success last month at Catterick when returning to maiden company and whilst not beating much, did so in the style of an improving animal. The well-bred son of Sinndar should love the forecast firm ground and with the weight-for-age allowance giving the 3-y-o 9lb from his elders, he is a confident selection.
Elsewhere on the card local favourite Fazza (4.40) remains handicapped to go close for Edwin Tuer and talented claimer Kevin Stott. The apprentice takes off an invaluable 5lb from the 7-y-o with the pair striking up an excellent partnership, winning over course and distance last term and third from an unrevised mark two starts back.
Champion Jockey Richard Hughes is at Brighton with three rides for boss Richard Hannon and all three with strong claims. The pair team up with previous course winner La Tinta Bay in the feature fillies’ handicap over seven furlongs and whilst she is respected after an excellent second last time out at Windsor, preference lay with Khatiba (4.20) for Roger Varian and Andrea Atzeni.
The daughter of Kheleyf undoubtedly has her quirks, hooded in her last two starts, and cheek-pieces on for the first time this afternoon but stayed on well to finish third last month at Doncaster. Despite a 2lb rise for the effort she remains well-handicapped to return to winning ways.
Providing Shane Kelly can get Rapid Advance (3.50) over from the less than ideal draw in stall ten he should have excellent claims in the mile handicap. The selection won well over the trip two starts back at Goodwood and looked poised to challenge last time out over ten furlongs at Sandown. Cheek-pieces are on for the first time and he remains with potential to do better still handicapping.
The Robert Cowell string remain in excellent form and as such Oasis Mirage (7.50) can make it 13th time lucky in the quest for his first winner at Yarmouth thus far this season. The penny finally dropped with the well-bred filly last week at Lingfield as she scooted clear to win by five lengths. Providing she can translate the switch from the all-weather to turf she should be able to follow-up under a penalty.
The Charlie Hills trained Ermine Ruby (5.50) is another filly who needed four runs to get her head in front but she couldn’t have been more impressive when doing so. Like Oasis Mirage, she won last time out on the all-weather at Lingfield and look to have much more talent than her 6lb higher mark suggests.
John Gosden’s Fallen in Line was well backed on debut in the Wood Ditton at Newmarket back in the spring and despite disappointing that day, built on that further when second last month at Doncaster. Whilst the son of Pivotal is respected he looks set to play second fiddle once more however with Godolphin’s Royal Flag (8.10) the class horse in the race.
The selection is a New Approach half-brother to the stable’s multiple G1 winner Farhh and made an excellent debut finishing third in one of last season’s hottest maidens. Providing he is fit and raring to go after an absence of over a year, is a confident selection and open to unlimited potential.
For all the latest odds and more head to BetVictor.com
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