The Skelton brothers enjoyed an excellent week, scoring a double at Fontwell on Friday, and can continue the stable’s fine form with Closest Friend (2.10) in the opener at Market Rasen. The selection made a promising debut for the yard finishing second behind John Ferguson’s subsequent winner Francis of Assisi last month at Stratford and with further improvement likely can score at the belated seventh time of asking.
Bouggietopieces is a fascinating contender for red-hot trainer Gordon Elliot in the handicap chase over three miles and is respected after two excellent runs under Richard Johnson at Perth. On this occasion however the she is overlooked instead for Charlie Longsdon’s Ready Token (3.50) under regular partner Aidan Coleman. The yard have made a terrific start to the new season, operating at a 33% strike-rate during the past fortnight, and is a confident selection give weight and a beating to his six rivals in the feature.
Godolphin won the opening maiden on the corresponding card last year at Pontefract and can land back-to-back renewals thanks to Saeed bin Suroor’s Change the Game (2.00) under William Buick. The son of Distorted Humour made a pleasing debut when second on the all-weather at Wolverhampton, and only greenness costing him victory in the closing stages. With further improvement likely he can make amends at the second time of asking.
The pair team up with Seastrom in the 6f Nursery with the son of Oasis Dream likely to go close after an excellent third in an expensive sales race last time out at Newmarket. Nevertheless, Yorkee Mo Sabee (2.35) is given the nod to defy a wide berth in stall thirteen to follow-up this afternoon under Franny Norton. Mark Johnston’s colt was an impressive scorer over course and distance last month and should go close bidding to follow-up on his debut in handicap company.
It could prove a terrific afternoon for William Buick, with Godolphin’s unexposed Loving Memory (3.05) a confident selection to make a winning debut handicapping for the Boys in Blue. The well-bred daughter of Shamardal built on the promise shown as a juvenile when bolting-up in a maiden last month at Chelmsford and looks potentially well-treated to progress further from an opening mark of 87.
The smell of burnt fingers continues to linger around Michael Dods’ Trinity Star (4.15) but she can make amends dropping down in grade for the handicap over a mile. The selection has been frustrating to follow since winning a course and distance handicap in the spring but has fallen to the same mark when scoring under regular partner Paul Mulrennan. He returns in the plate and is a confident selection to guide the gelding to a fifth career success.
Ed De Giles’ Bazooka (3.25) scored in claiming company last time out at Hamilton and looks to have been well-placed to follow-up under Jim Crowley at Windsor. The 4-y-o showed a tremendous attitude to get the better of ark Johnston’s well-backed Atlantic Affair in the closing stages and should remain competitive in this grade.
Just nine head to post for the feature handicap over a mile and a half and Aussie Andre (4.00) fancied to go close under Jimmy Fortune. The selection has won twice this term, both over a mile and a half at Kempton, with Fortune in the plate on both occasions. He put in a career-best when chasing home Richard of Yorke last time out at Ascot and with the Jeremy Noseda stable in good form at present, should go well from a 2lb higher mark.
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