16:25 McCauleys Tavern
17:00 Cherry Cobbler
17:30 Arabian Leopard
18:00 Mystery Of Love
18:30 Bo Taifan (NAP)
19:00 Next Trick
19:30 Bad Habits
20:00 Gemmari
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Tapeta does not appear to suit MCCAULEYS TAVERN and this two-time C&D winner earns the vote now back here after below-par performances at Southwell and Newcastle. Don’t Fight It ran well over C&D in October and is feared most ahead of Collusion, who was a fair fourth at Wolverhampton last time.
Cressida Wildes (second choice) holds leading form claims but she’s 0-7 and preference is for CHERRY COBBLER, who has a speedy pedigree and travelled well when third over 1m here on last month’s debut. Things could click for the well-bred Invincible Melody at some stage.
The eye is drawn to Purple Rainbow, but ARABIAN LEOPARD, who has achieved more in RPR terms, could be too speedy for her.
There isn’t much to choose between the 3yos to have run. Moving up to 1m could make enough of a difference to see MYSTERY OF LOVE get off the mark. Only One Blue, who nearly justified favouritism on debut, is the obvious danger.
Course winner Stella Hogan should come good for newish connections at some stage, while Nasim (second choice) and Sam’s Hope are capable of bigger runs than their recent form figures suggest. BO TAIFAN (NAP) is the pick, though, given that he’s run well the last twice behind horses who have been enjoying purple patches. Cherry King completes the shortlist.
None of these are bombproof as even the last-time-out winners either need to step up or resume from a break in the same form. NEXT TRICK, starting out for Archie Watson, looks worth chancing as the pick of her Irish form suggests a BHA mark of 67 can be exploited. Midsummer Music is second choice.
Several interesting contenders and top of the list is the George Boughey-trained BAD HABITS, who was a promising third in October on his first start and now goes handicapping in first-time cheekpieces having been gelded.
Sweet Fantastic was a close third on last month’s handicap debut at Lingfield and may be the chief danger ahead of Montrachet Girl on her first run for Roger Varian. Panama Black is a possible improver.
This could rest between handicap newcomers GEMMARI and Gray Rainbow. The latter looks certain to appreciate tonight’s extra distance but the selection can provide his owner with yet another win from their likeable mare Gravitation.
16:25 McCauleys Tavern
17:00 Cherry Cobbler
17:30 Arabian Leopard
18:00 Mystery Of Love
18:30 Bo Taifan (NAP)
19:00 Next Trick
19:30 Bad Habits
20:00 Gemmari
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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