By Anita Chambers
Harper’s Ferry can build on two promising runs to secure a first career victory in the Free Digital Racecard At raceday-ready.com Novice Stakes at Windsor.
A daughter of 2013 Oaks winner Talent by top sire Lope De Vega, Harper’s Ferry defied his 50-1 odds on debut when being beaten just a nose in second in a novice contest at Newmarket last October.
The fact Ed Walker started over a mile with the colt indicates his expected stamina and he duly kicked off 2024 over 10 furlongs at Doncaster last month, where he again had to settle for the runner-up spot behind Moon Over Miami.
Beaten three-quarters of a length, Harper’s Ferry did not help his cause by racing keenly in the early stages but he travelled supremely well before being pushed a little right by the eventual winner in the finish.
Entered in both the Dante and Derby, Harper’s Ferry will have to make huge strides to merit those kinds of engagements, but a win here would be a good starting point.
Majestic Heights already has a run under his belt this term ahead of the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes.
The son of Coulsty was slowly away on his first attempt at Kempton and after being carried wide on the bend, he had far too much to do and could not make up ground, coming home a seven-length fourth.
That should have been an instructive experience for Richard Hannon’s runner and the lesson can be put to use here.
Hannon has another likely type on the card in Optiva Star, who contests the Irish Night 10th June Windsor Racecourse Handicap.
He enjoyed a fine second half of 2023 after a slow initial start, winning three of his eight starts from July and progressing from a mark of 64 to a finishing point of 75.
Optiva Star was disappointing on his final run, coming home last of 12 in November, but given his first run of the year came in April, it may well have just been the end of a long season.
Look Back Smiling can follow up his Spring Mile win with victory in the racingtv.com Handicap at Redcar.
Trained by Gemma Tutty, the four-year-old relishes deep ground and showed this mile trip is well within his compass when winning the Lincoln consolation event at Doncaster.
Raised 4lb for that win, he might have a little something still to work with, as he did drift across the Town Moor track slightly at the finish.
Sunfall looked sure to improve for her first start when fourth at Newcastle at the backend of last year.
Attempting to come from off the pace, the Twilight Son filly could manage only fourth but a repeat of that might be good enough in the Unibet More Boosts In More Races Restricted Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Kempton.
Forged Well can strike in Kelso’s Go North Cab On Target Final Handicap Hurdle.
He won on his hurdles bow at Carlisle back in December but has been out of luck in three subsequent runs, most recently when beaten just a short head over the same two miles and five furlongs he faces here.
His mark of 107 might not reflect his full potential.
Top tips for today’s UK meetings
TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.
KELSO: Race 1: 15.00 Dollar Collar, Race 2: 15.30 Woodie Flash, Race 3: 16.00 Empty Nest,
Race 4: 16.30 Val Dancer, Race 5: 17.00 Forged Well, Race 6: 17.30 Chosen Hero, Race 7:
18.00 Soldier Of Rock, Race 8: 18.35 Red Cadillac.
REDCAR: Race 1: 15.12 Indication Ember, Race 2: 15.42 Huddle Up, Race 3: 16.12 Little
Venice, Race 4: 16.42 Look Back Smiling, Race 5: 17.12 Mysteryofthesands, Race 6: 17.42
Gentle Ellen, Race 7: 18.12 Blufferonthebus.
WINDSOR: Race 1: 15.20 Dashing Harry, Race 2: 15.50 Majestic Heights, Race 3: 16.20
HARPER'S FERRY (NAP), Race 4: 16.50 Champagne Sarah, Race 5: 17.20 Bishop's Crown, Race
6: 17.50 Optiva Star, Race 7: 18.20 Jolty Jem, Race 8: 18.50 Hakuna Babe.
KEMPTON: Race 1: 18.30 Reyaadah Star, Race 2: 19.00 Sunfall, Race 3: 19.30 Nothing To
Fear, Race 4: 20.00 Aurora Dawn, Race 5: 20.30 Wonder Smile, Race 6: 21.00 Imperial
Guard, Race 7: 21.30 Profit And Loss.
DOUBLE: Majestic Heights and Harper's Ferry (Windsor, Races 2 and 3).
For fields, race betting and more information, go to www.tab4Racing.com