By Ashley Iveson, PA
Oisin Murphy and Andrew Balding are usually a force to be reckoned with at Windsor on a Monday evening and Jet Black has been found a good opportunity in the Thames Alfa Romeo Slough Handicap.
The three-year-old daughter of Kodiac has a truly international pedigree and has been in consistent form of late.
After three no-shows in novice and maiden events, she went close on her handicap debut from a mark of 65 before winning at Redcar off 1lb higher.
Second at Windsor in June, she the disappointed as favourite at Salisbury when last of four but Balding has fitted her with a pair of cheekpieces now and she only faces three rivals, with two of them exposed.
Dazzling Haze is the pick in an intriguing Get Raceday Ready Nursery Handicap.
Plenty of winners are on show in this speed test, with Simon and Ed Crisford's filly among them.
Three placed efforts in maiden and novice company suggested there were races to be won with the daughter of A'Ali and that first victory came on her handicap debut at Musselburgh, where she fairly bolted up off a mark of 71.
A 9lb hike sounds steep, but with further improvement expected it is certainly not beyond her.
It is never a surprise to see Jim Goldie in the winner's enclosure at Ayr and Jannas Journey can be expected to extend his winning streak at the course in the Weddings At Western House Hotel Handicap.
The four-year-old made it three wins on the bounce at the track when hosing up under Daniel Tudhope last weekend and it is hard to see a 5lb penalty blunting his progress, having also won at Hamilton prior to his quickfire Ayr hat-trick.
Victory number five for the sequence is hard to bet against here.
Goldie's Sophiesticate should also hold a leading chance in the Summer Sunshine Handicap.
A course-and-distance scorer, the six-year-old is another regular visitor to the west coast of Scotland and was beaten less than a length off the same mark of 60 when sent off favourite here only last week.
A 7lb apprentice was in the saddle on that occasion and while there were no obvious complaints about the ride, it is surely a plus to see Goldie turn to the experience of Paul Mulrennan on this occasion as the battle-hardened mare attempts to snap a long losing run.
Earlier on the card, take a chance on Stuart Williams' Media Darling who outran odds of 66-1 when third in useful looking company at Newbury on debut and could take a hand in the Festive Day Dancin @ayrracecourse Maiden Fillies' Stakes at Ayr.
She even did not have the best start to that race having been carried right exiting the stalls and having been given time to ease into her job by Marco Ghiani, made some stylish headway in the closing stages to finish amongst those with stronger market claims.
Catterick punters are advised to put their faith in the Paul Midgley-trained Birkenhead in the Constant Security Services Handicap.
The eight-year-old is a course favourite having won four times from nine visits and he is not badly handicapped on his best form.
Since his most recent success here in April, the eight-year-old has run some sound races in defeat, most recently finishing fifth in a stronger heat than this at York.
Back on a track that clearly suits, a bold bid looks assured.
Ollie Sangster sends the in-form Fancy Dancer on the long trek from his Wiltshire base up north for the John Smith's Catterick - Raise A Pint Handicap.
Having won three of her last five outings the Dandy Man filly could not be in better form and there could be more to come.
Jumping fare comes from Stratford, where War Lord can make a successful return the larger obstacles in the Brian And Sheila Vaughan Memorial Handicap Chase.
Top tips for today’s UK meetings
TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.
CATTERICK: Race 1: 15.15 Made All, Race 2: 15.45 Haberdash, Race 3: 16.15 Fancy Dancer, Race 4: 16.45
Chico Magnifica, Race 5: 17.15 Birkenhead, Race 6: 17.45 Saisons d'Or.
STRATFORD: Race 1: 15.27 Ballintubber Boy, Race 2: 15.57 Knights Affair, Race 3: 16.27 Hurst Hill, Race
4: 16.57 War Lord, Race 5: 17.27 Ez Tiger, Race 6: 18.00 My Girl Katie, Race 7: 18.35 Chicker.
WINDSOR: Race 1: 17.21 JET BLACK (NAP), Race 2: 17.52 Beaumadier, Race 3: 18.25 Starlit City, Race 4:
19.00 Dazzling Haze, Race 5: 19.30 Gamrai, Race 6: 20.00 Sanat, Race 7: 20.30 Summertime Blues, Race
8: 21.00 Phoenix Moon.
AYR: Race 1: 18.45 Media Darling, Race 2: 19.15 Sophiesticate, Race 3: 19.45 Jannas Journey, Race 4:
20.15 Aberama Gold, Race 5: 20.45 Ravishing Beauty, Race 6: 21.15 Billy Bathgate.
ALL TO COME: Jet Black (Windsor, Race 1) and Birkenhead (Catterick, Race 5).
For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab.co.za