‘National Yorkshire Day’ was celebrated on Saturday and the region boasts two meetings today with an afternoon card from Catterick and evening action from Ripon. Kevin Ryan’s Mohab (2.15) looks set to score at the former after being a beaten favourite on debut at York last month and wouldn’t have to be anything out of the ordinary to be landing a race of this ilk. The well-bred colt sets a fair standard and should improve further with experience now under his belt.
Eight go to post for the feature Soldier’s Charity Perpetual Trophy, won last year by trainer Mark Johnston, and the prize looks set to stay in the north with locally-based trainer John Quinn’s dual-purpose animal Calculated Risk (3.45) a fascinating contender under 3lb apprentice Joe Doyle. The selection is returning from an absence of over seven months and despite boasting a disappointing record fresh would warrant a second look should the market speak in his favour. The 6-y-o is one of just a handful of runners likely to appreciate the forecast cut in the ground and looks well-treated from a mark of 74, compared to his mark over hurdles of 129, and can bounce back and score on the flat for the first time in almost two years.
There’s an eight-race card at Salisbury and a terrific renewal of the fillies’ handicap over a mile and a half. Sir Michael Stoute’s last time out winner Entity looks sure to be prominent in the betting, likewise Charlie Hills‘ Soul Searcher, however a chance is taken on Syrdarya (4.30) shedding the maiden tag the belated fourth time of asking. The well-bred daughter of Galileo has been placed in all three starts in maiden company and chased home John Gosden’s 80-rated filly Stubbins last time out at Epsom and unfortunate to lose by the narrowest of margins. She has improved on all three starts but it was the step up in trip to a mile and a half that saw her put her best foot forward and she can make light work of her opening mark of 79 under in-form jockey Pat Dobbs.
There’s evening action at Ripon and Roger Varian’s Ajaadat (7.05) given the nod to land the feature fillies’ handicap under Graham lee. The selection shed the maiden tag on her turf debut when making all under Jack Mitchell last term at Beverley and has improved since returning from a break. The well-bred daughter of Shamardal was unable to justify favouritism on her seasonal debut at Thirsk however made amends last time out at Salisbury and looks to be going in the right direction to make light of a 5lb rise.
On the all-weather, Marco Botti’s Surbett (6.20) has improved on all three career starts, scoring readily under Martin Harley last time out at Epsom and fancied to follow-up under the same jockey in the opener at Chelmsford Park. The selection built on the promise shown at debut at Windsor, narrowly beaten on his next start at the track before landing a warm maiden on the Downs last month over six furlongs. The selection won despite taking a keen hold and should appreciate the drop back to the minimum trip and taken to prove much better than his initial mark of 78 suggests.
The combination can double up with Lazzam (6.50) with the well-bred colt stepping up in trip for the maiden over the extended mile. Much like his stablemate Surbett, the colt built on an excellent debut when chasing home Godolphin’s expensive purchase Hawksbill last month at Lingfield and he looks a sure-fire winner in waiting and taken to make it third time lucky this evening.
Sir Michael Stoute’s Hakka was well-backed for his handicap debut last month at York and is respected from an unrevised mark however from the less-than-ideal draw in stall nine is overlooked for William Haggas‘ Mitraad (7.20) under retained rider Paul Hanagan. The selection is unbeaten in two starts after a brace of impressive successes at Newmarket over seven furlongs and a mile respectively. The latter came after an absence of nearly two years and the gelding should continue to progress and can defy an 8lb rise at the weights.
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