Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Tricky. COUNTRY GOD (2) was a big Belmont trial winner and was well supported in an Open 2 at Ascot on debut but only battled. Resumes today gelded and owning another Belmont trial win. Chris Parnham has been with him all along and a bold return is on the cards. MESSINA (6) is on a quick backup and Pike rides. He strikes at 30% with the Simon Miller yard and we can anticipate a much sharper effort. CALL ME FROSTY (4) showed enough on debut to suggest he will be around the mark. He'd trialled well into that. QUEEN SELYSE (5) was plainer at Northam but resumed in solid order and fitter should be around the mark.
RACE 2 - Another tricky contest. GUARANTOR (3) trialled well but looked a run short in an Ascot in an Open 2 on debut. He settled well back at Northam following and worked past tired runners to place distantly. He will be fitter and his gate is more advantageous today. This doesn't look overly hard and he gets his chance. WHY SHE STAYED (7) resumes again and three back impressed in an Ascot Open 2 on debut. She has an inside gate and her trials have been sharp. Gives every indication she's back on track. BRADBURY'S MOMENT (2) found Twisted Steel much too good at Northam on debut but covered the others. He was expected to need it and would have come on. Maps well and has the jockey switch to 23% stable striker Chris Parnham. KILDANGAN PRINCE (6) debuts with the blinkers on and Pike is a key jockey engagement. He's been a while getting to the races but found a forward run won't surprise. The betting will be key.
RACE 3 - Competitive, ENCHANTED STAR (9) resumes at Northam and made up a stack of ground when narrowly beaten after an awkward start. She may have to do it the hard way again but CJP sticks and the longer sprint will suit. PETER GUNN (1) debuted in the same race and finished alongside the above. He settled even further back and charged home. He will jump from a handy gate today and is sure to have come on. A live hope as well. LUNCH IN PARIS (7) resumes off two narrow defeats here. That form stacks up and Pike is a key jockey booking. A bold return is likely. SPARE A PRAYER (5) resumes and won a recent trial by a space against one competitor. Has a low gate and showed enough on debut to keep onside.
RACE 4 - SETAGAYA (10) resumes with a near miss at Northam and then went back and won her Maiden with authority, backed off the map. Has a wide gate to contend with today but the top rider stays aboard and fitter she can take the next step. NOBLE CONNECTION (5) resumes and if he's presented forward he can threaten. He was beaten a long neck at Ascot two back over a mile and has trialled twice for his return. CJP can manage the awkward barrier and the betting will be key. SUPIDO EXPRESS (2) resumed at Bunbury with a solid effort in a touch stronger. He has plenty up his sleeve and has been kept on the fresh side. Gets in well with Cooper's 3kg claim and has to be considered. CASH FLOW (7) wasn't far away at Northam in stronger and is ready to show his best. If he does he'll be in the finish.
RACE 5 - Competitive. ONLY US (5) also presents third up and is at his best over this distance. He will give away a start but rates up to this and can come hard. SOLDIER OF GOD (3) resumes with a comfortable Maiden win at Northam as favourite (slow surface) and then found an Open 3 a bit rich here on a heavy track. Lifted his numbers again and maps better today. Fitter and he gives every sign that the step up to the mile will suit. ACES TO WIN (6) stepped up to this trip at Northam and just missed. Has an awkward gate but gets in well with the 3kg claim and should be right around the mark. LEAD BY EXAMPLE (8) will be better when she gets up to a middle distance, but the mile suits second-up and she's a capable galloper worth keeping onside.
RACE 6 - LET'S TALK (3) is speedy and missed a lip on the Scarpside and then 1L here in stronger over 1000m. The longer sprint suits and he gets in well with the 3kg claim. He's capable of controlling the race and can make it four wins from nine starts. SMART ENERGY (4) resumes seeking the hat-trick off an all-the-way win at Ascot. He's trialled and will be naturally improved. Draws advantageously and a bold return is likely. SILENT AMARDA (11) resumed at Northam with a Maiden win and is sure to build on that. Draws well and Pike sticking aboard demands attention. This is harder, but he has plenty of scope for improvement. ALMA MATER (7) peaks and is knocking on the door. Needs a good ride from an outside gate but he will be around the mark if he does.
RACE 7 - MAI ALOHA (3) resumes and was only given one outing last preparation. She was within range in Stakes grade at her two starts prior and has trialled well at Lark Hill for this. She's in a top barn, and Pike's booking suggests she's pleasing. The niggle is the wide barrier, but expect her to come hard. COME ON EMMA (8) was well supported first up but looked a run short. Came off two nose defeats at Ascot and the longer sprint suits. She's right up to this and is a player. LUCKY I AM (2) is a leader who missed a whisker here as favourite looking to win four on the trot. She has to skip across from a cruel gate today, but gets in well with the 3kg claim and can make the finish with average luck. MAGICASH (7) is a lightly raced improver who won't be far away.
RACE 8 - SIMPLY THINKIN' (3) was back on track when narrowly beaten here 11 days ago with Pike aboard and he remains in the saddle. The gate is a touch sticky but will be managed. Go close. THERMOSPHERE LAD (4) has laid a solid foundation and has won 2/2 third-up. He may skip over and control the race and is sure to give a sight. MANHATTAN STRIP (6) won at Northam this grade first-up and then worked into a place at Northam. Keeps Chris Parnham and will be fitter again. He should enjoy a soft run from the inside barrier. SURF PATROL (8) has been knocking on the door and carries 3kg less in stronger. Maps for the run of the race and CJP replaces Chris Parnham. Can't be ruled out.
