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Country of Origin if not GB
DID YOU KNOW: RICHARD HANNON SADDLED THE WINNER OF THE 7F NURSERY ON THIS CARD LAST YEAR AND THE LOCALLY-BASED TRAINER IS DOUBLE-HANDED IN THIS YEAR’S RENEWAL AT 4.45 COURTESY OF AMIGA MEU AND DARK TULIP.
RACE ONE
Island Bandit has to be respected following his victory at Newbury a month ago but he could be vulnerable under a 5lb penalty today. With that in mind, preference is for WIND YOUR NECK IN, who displayed plenty of promise on his debut over C&D earlier in the month. David Evans’ colt should only benefit from that experience and he may be hard to stop as a result. Internal Conflict is closely related to plenty of winners and any market support for him would have to be noted.
WIN: WIND YOUR NECK IN; DANGER: ISLAND BANDIT
RACE TWO
MY LITTLE TIP met with plenty of trouble in running when finishing third on his nursery debut at Epsom late last month and he makes plenty of appeal off a 1lb lower mark today. Amiga Meu got off the mark at Wolverhampton a couple of weeks ago and she may have more to offer, while Codify and Lucrosa are others who merit a place on the shortlist.
WIN: MY LITTLE TIP; DANGER: AMIGA MEU
RACE THREE
BANANA has shown ability in competitive races this year and she put in a career-best effort on her return from a break when finishing third at Chester three weeks ago. An opening mark of 82 appears to be fair and she may have more to offer today. Rosa Mystica has to be of some interest following her narrow defeat last time and Amber Dew should not be underestimated.
WIN: BANANA; DANGER: ROSA MYSTICA
RACE FOUR
Clive Cox won this race in 2019 and looks to repeat the dose today with Pinball Wizard, who made all the running to score by a length at Kempton last month. However, he does have an added 6lb from the handicapper and may struggle to hold off CAPLA DREAM. A winner on his first start for new connections in a better race at Nottingham in May, that was his first outing in five months and he is entitled to improve. Aviary drops back in trip and could surprise a few.
WIN: CAPLA DREAM; DANGER: PINBALL WIZARD
RACE FIVE
It is hard to oppose BERKSHIRE ROCCO with the 2020 St Leger second only seen the once this season when a staying-on second over a mile and a half in Doha in February. He is the class act here but his long absence has to be of some concern, with Quickthorn perhaps his biggest danger. A winner twice this season, he was only beaten a head at York in a competitive handicap last month and he can mount a strong challenge, leaving Goodwood handicap winner Calling The Wind the likeliest candidate for third place.
WIN: BERKSHIRE ROCCO; DANGER: QUICKTHORN
RACE SIX
Tres Speciale has finished second on both her starts, including at odds-on at Carlisle last month when beaten over three lengths and may do better if she settles here, but it seems unlikely she can improve past EIKONIX. A debut second was followed by an easy win at Wolverhampton, despite being hampered shortly after the start, and with an added furlong and a half here, he may improve again for his in-form stable. Sayf Al Dawla is another to consider now upped in trip and returning to the turf with every chance of further improvement.
