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Ballet Steps can show off winning moves

Written by Press Association | May 8, 2022 6:07:01 AM

Ballet Steps can defy a lofty new mark in the Sky Bet Sunday Series 3YO Sprint Handicap at Hamilton.

Kevin Ryan's filly won first time out as a juvenile last year and had her sights raised for the Listed Roses Stakes at York.

That proved too much too soon for her and Ryan gave her a decent break before she was seen again at Wolverhampton in December.

Unfortunately she fared no better there, trailing in eighth of 10 over six furlongs (1200m).

Dropped down to the minimum trip after another break in excess of 100 days, though, she showed the ability that was evident on her debut, making a mockery of her opening handicap mark of 73, fairly bolting up at Nottingham.

Clearly she is going to find life much tougher off her new perch of 85 in a better class of race, but she has a speedy pedigree and hopefully she can continue to progress.

Ryan's Sound Reason, who reappears in the Sky Bet Sunday Series Sprint Handicap, is also worthy of interest.

He held his form remarkably well last season, considering he began the year in early May, winning off 69 at Beverley.

Another win followed in August, this time off 75 at Carlisle, and he signed off by finishing second off 81 back at Beverley.

Ryan can certainly ready one to win first time out and with this race being worth £35,000, it would be no surprise if he has had his eye on it for a while.

Tim Easterby's horses are usually better second time out than first, which makes Golden Melody of interest in the Sky Bet Sunday Series Fillies' Handicap.

The Belardo filly was an encouraging third at Nottingham on her seasonal return when sent off at 40-1.

She is unlikely to be anything as generous this time around, but off the same mark, she can definitely get competitive.

Unitarian looks a likely type on paper for Karl Burke in the Sky Bet Sunday Series Restricted Maiden Stakes.

The colt is by Tasleet, who has made a fine start with his first crop and it is no secret that Burke's juveniles are ready to go first time.

Sainte Doctor has won her last two and can bring up the hat-trick in the Trevor Davies Memorial Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle at Plumpton.

Neil Mulholland's runner defied a 7lb rise to follow up a Uttoxeter victory in a mares' hurdle at this track last month and while another 7lb certainly provides a challenge, Sainte Doctor is on an upward curve.

Annual Invictus is the pick in the betting.bet Sussex Champion Chase Handicap Chase while Chasamax can make amends for a slightly disappointing effort when last seen as he turns out at Ludlow.

Nicky Henderson's charge won a maiden and a novice hurdle last summer but could not bring up the hat-trick when returned to handicap company at Bangor last August.

The seven-year-old has been given a good break since and although he is up against some race-fit rivals in the Welsh Guards Association David Scrumpy Lewis Handicap Hurdle, his mark of 117 offers some hope on conditions that will suit. - Press Association

 

SELECTIONS:

 

HAMILTON: 16.50 Unitarian, 17.18 Golden Melody, 17.48 Stately Home, 18.18 Sound Reason, 18.48 BALLET STEPS (NAP), 19.18 Emaraty Hero, 19.45 Happy.

 

LUDLOW: 15.05 Leylak, 15.40 Mr Yeats, 16.10 Balko Saint, 16.40 Chasamax, 17.10 Lost In Montmarte, 17.40 Flaming Ambition, 18.10 You Name Him.

 

LEOPARDSTOWN: 14.50 Schiele, 15.25 Zaniyka, 16.00 Waterville, 16.35 Ghasham, 17.05 Agartha, 17.35 Stone Age, 18.05 Ivy League, 18.35 Moracana.

 

PLUMPTON: 14.40 Sophosc, 15.15 Royal Ruby, 15.50 Danzini, 16.25 Annual Invictus, 17.00 Sainte Doctor, 17.30 Kolisi, 18.00 Blame The Game, 18.30 Red Windsor.