By Nick Grant, PA
Palmar Bay returns from 140 days off to take his chance in what looks an interesting British EBF Radcliffe & Co Conditions Stakes at Salisbury.
Ralph Beckett’s Exceed And Excel colt has had two outings so far this year, but has not competed since May. A promising second to now Listed-placed Tears Of A Clown was then backed up by victory over Jasour, who two runs later won the Group Two July Stakes.
He had to work to get to Jasour but subsequent events have shown just what a good effort it was.
Palmar Bay was last seen when a late withdrawal from the Rose Bowl at Newbury, but that Listed entry demonstrates the regard in which he is held and he could be set for a useful autumn campaign.
It promises to be a productive afternoon for Beckett, with Qirat and Indelible leading fancies for their respective divisions of the Radcliffe & Co British EBF Novice Stakes.
Qirat took a step forward from his initial third at Newmarket in early August when winning at Kempton later that month, appearing to idle a bit once he hit the front before going on to win by a length and a half.
He should be good enough to defy a winner’s penalty.
Indelible is a newcomer in her division, but as a daughter of Shamardal out of multiple Group One winner Midday, she is a half-sister to a handful of black-type performers so bred to be better than average.
The Kimpton Downs handler – whose Westover was second in the Arc on Sunday – could be on the mark at Lingfield, too, as Bernese should feel the benefit of her initial run when she goes for the At The Races App Form Study EBF Restricted Novice Stakes.
Elsewhere on the Lingfield card, Tropical Air can make it a four-timer with victory in the At The Races App Market Movers Nursery Handicap.
Charlie Johnston’s runner has been a revelation since switching to artificial surfaces and his latest win at Newcastle came about with the minimum of fuss.
Staying at the Surrey track, Labiqa is worth an interest in the Download The At The Races App Fillies’ Handicap.
She took a strong hold through the early part of her last run at Kempton but was still able to finish to good effect to take second.
With that in mind, this first try at a mile up from seven furlongs is a move well worth taking from the Charlie Hills team.
Top tips for today’s UK meetings
TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.
LINGFIELD: Race 1: 14.40 Monkmoor Pip, Race 2: 15.10 Sparked, Race 3: 15.45 Bernese, Race 4: 16.15 Tropical Air, Race 5: 16.45 Labiqa, Race 6: 17.15 Island Native, Race 7: 17.45 Starry Eyes, Race 8: 18.15 Someone's Wish, Race 9: 18.45 Emperor's Clothes.
SALISBURY: Race 1: 14.52 Matsuri, Race 2: 15.25 Chequers Court, Race 3: 15.57 Qirat, Race 4: 16.27 Indelible, Race 5: 16.57 PALMAR BAY (NAP), Race 6: 17.30 Desert Doctor, Race 7: 18.02 Battista, Race 8: 18.35 Sailing On.
WARWICK: Race 1: 15.00 Little Miss Dante, Race 2: 15.35 Ideal De Romay, Race 3: 16.05 Valentino Dancer, Race 4: 16.35 Watergrange Jack, Race 5: 17.05 Opening Bid, Race 6: 17.35 Out Out.
CHELMSFORD: Race 1: 17.25 Puella Law, Race 2: 17.55 Machiavellian Lady, Race 3: 18.30 Full Regalia, Race 4: 19.00 Doves Of Peace, Race 5: 19.30 Lost In Time, Race 6: 20.00 Measured Moments, Race 7: 20.30 Phoenix Glow, Race 8: 21.00 Lunar Shadow, Race 9: 21.30 Team Endeavour.
ALL TO COME: Palmar Bay (Salisbury, Race 5) and Labiqa (Lingfield, Race 5).
For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab4racing.com