London – Abseil went into a few notebooks following his debut and will be strongly fancied to get off the mark in the Win Big With The totejackpot Maiden Stakes at Yarmouth.
From a smart family, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt made his racecourse bow as an unraced four-year-old in what could turn out to have been a useful event at Kempton. It was won in good style by Bustopher for the Godolphin team. Well-regarded Heisman chased that one home345 and immediately behind him was James Doyle and Abseil, who had made nice progress from the rear to take third.
A number of big stables are represented in this 1600m heat but it will be disappointing if the Stoute runner cannot build on that and he could be a horse to follow this season.
Piazon looks capable of picking up another race off his current mark and the Your Favourite Pool Bets At totepool.com Handicap fits the bill.
Successful in one of his three outings last term, there was a bit to like about the way he closed out his race to be second at Nottingham on his three-year-old return.
Raised just 0.5kg for that, there are more races to be won by Michael Bell’s charge, who looks to have benefited from a gelding operation.
Marco Botti’s charge, Sufranel, is worth another chance in the Win A VIP Day Out At redcarracing.co.uk Maiden Stakes at Redcar. His debut over 1600m on the Kempton Polytrack in December was promising as he was beaten only by Cloudscape, who is now two from two for John Gosden, having won a handicap off 85 at Newmarket.
Botti’s Galileo colt was expected to build on that for his reappearance in a reasonable 2000m maiden at Pontefract but could only finish fourth, having led for a long way. There is a suspicion that trip might not have seen him to best effect and a slight drop for this assignment is a positive.
Shirley’s Pride could come forward from an encouraging Lingfield run to go close in the Market Cross Jewellers Fillies’ Handicap. Towards the rear before finishing well for second, it was a fine effort from Michael Appleby’s charge, considering she had not run since December.
The handicapper has left her alone and this consistent type is entitled to run a big race with that effort under her belt, especially as Appleby’s string appear in good heart on the back of a nice winner at the Craven meeting.
Appleby has a number of other chances on the card, with stout-staying Adili one to look at in the James Crowther Designed Today’s Racecard Cover Handicap on his third run for the yard.
Masquerade can take the Chillimint “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle at Chepstow. The Warren Greatrex-trained five-year-old lost nothing in defeat when third in a competitive event at Wetherby after trying to force the issue from an early stage and is not completely exposed yet.
Flementime would be a deserving winner of the Jenkins of Nantyfyllon Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Martin Keighley’s charge has kept some good company since the end of last year and was heartbreakingly chinned in the closing stages at Exeter in February.
Little Jimmy has an excellent strike rate at his level and has solid claims in the David Keith Memorial Handicap Chase at Fakenham. Although raised 1.5kg for a recent Stratford success, the Tom Gretton-trained runner is still feasibly handicapped, especially as he is open to a bit of improvement now he is tackling longer trips.
Breaking Bits should be hard to be beat in the M&D Flooring, Home Select Service Handicap Hurdle at Huntingdon. He is a couple of points higher than when he kept on for second at Wincanton at the beginning of the month in his first run since August but he ought to be much sharper for the pipe-opener.
Mystery Drama has not been seen since December and takes a drop in class for the Win Big With The totejackpot Juvenile Hurdle at Plumpton. Alan King’s lightly-raced four-year-old charge had the misfortune to bump into a Willie Mullins-trained improver in Gitane Du Berlais at Aintree in a Listed event, with the winner going on to claim a Grade 3 race at Fairyhouse.
Emerald Rose showed a great attitude in winning at Market Rasen last month after a break and returns to that course and distance, holding every chance in the Racing UK Anywhere Available Now Mares’ Handicap Hurdle.
Bank Holiday Monday means it must be the Boylesports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse, where Tammys Hill is a confident pick. The top-class hunter-chaser reinforced his credentials when winning at Cheltenham and everything he has done on a race course suggests he can hold his own in handicap company.
Drying ground would suit him and the appointment of jockey Brian O’Connell is a positive. – Press Association.