ALFAREQA CAN LAY CLAIM TO LEICESTER PRIZE

By Tony Kelshaw, PA

Alfareqa can pay another small chunk of her expensive price tag back by landing the Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes at Leicester.

Shadwell had to go as high as 1.6 million guineas to acquire the daughter of Frankel, who is out of former Group One winner Millisle and hails from a really strong family on the dam's side.

Things did not go to plan on her December debut at Kempton when failing to make an impression after being squeezed out at the start, but her three-year-old bow at Doncaster was much more like it.

Backed as if defeat was out of the question, Alfareqa looked to have plenty to do two furlongs out but then picked up impressively for Jim Crowley and powered home to readily account for joint-second favourites Invisible and Kinswoman.

This will be a tougher test under a 6lb penalty but trainer Owen Burrows has been pleased with her progress and stepping up to a mile should prove another plus point.

Me Tarzan has yet to get off the mark after seven starts for James Fanshawe but can hopefully put that right in the Sophie Ellis-Bextor @leicesterraces 5th July Book Now Handicap.

Having made steady improvement as a juvenile and then being gelded, he has kept on well to finish third at Kempton and Yarmouth so far this term, suggesting a breakthrough success will come sooner rather than later.

It would be no surprise to see Karthon leave his past form behind in the Canyon Road Wines Handicap, being by New Bay out of former Nell Gwyn winner Fantasia, who has already produced four scorers.

Andrew Balding's charge ran well in front for a fair way at Nottingham before being swamped late on by market leaders Munsif, who has obliged again since, and Sea Of Kings.

Karthon still looks far from the finished article but an opening handicap mark of 68 gives connections something to work with.

Bleep Test sets a strong standard in the racingtv.com EBF Restricted Maiden Fillies' Stakes at Redcar, having kept on nicely to finish second to Ali Shuffle at the same venue first up.

Her conqueror has gone on to frank the form by scoring twice more and Tim Easterby wisely gave the daughter of Time Test a little break to mature after being a touch reluctant to load.

Requiem is on a recovery mission in the racingtv.com Maiden Handicap after twice being a beaten favourite this term.

A typical Sir Mark Prescott slow burner, he did little wrong when second to Is I Right at Haydock last time, leading for a long way and crossing the line nicely clear of the third.

Mafting is a half-brother to three winners and can uphold family honour by making it third time lucky in the Watch Irish Racing On Racing TV Restricted Maiden Stakes following close runner-up efforts at Beverley and Hamilton.

It often pays to follow Gary and Josh Moore at Brighton and Oj Lifestyle can hopefully make a successful seasonal reappearance in the Star Sports Handicap.

He signed off last term with a convincing double over a mile at this venue and dropping down to seven furlongs should not be an issue here.

Mr Ubiquitous has hit a rich vein of form and can complete a hat-trick for Harry Eustace in the Starsports.Bet Handicap.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

LEICESTER: Race 1: 15.00 Rock On Thunder, Race 2: 15.30 Bust A Moon, Race 3: 16.00
ALFAREQA (NAP), Race 4: 16.30 Me Tarzan, Race 5: 17.00 Dark Sorceress, Race 6: 17.35
Karthon, Race 7: 18.10 Dashing Donkey.

REDCAR: Race 1: 15.20 Bleep Test, Race 2: 15.50 Requiem, Race 3: 16.20 Mafting, Race 4: 16.50
Jet Black, Race 5: 17.20 Misemerald, Race 6: 17.55 Bantz, Race 7: 18.25 So Grateful.

BRIGHTON: Race 1: 15.40 Brinton, Race 2: 16.10 Senorita Vega, Race 3: 16.40 English Spirit,
Race 4: 17.10 OJ Lifestyle, Race 5: 17.45 Mr Ubiquitous, Race 6: 18.15 Pop Dancer.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1: 19.12 Red Savitar, Race 2: 19.42 Cajole, Race 3: 20.12 The
Feminine Urge, Race 4: 20.42 Molly Valentine, Race 5: 21.12 Latin, Race 6: 21.42 Phaedra.

ALL TO COME: Alfareqa and Karthon (Leicester, Races 3 and 6).

For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab.co.za