At Ripon's evening fixture on MOnday, it is not too difficult to make a strong case for Bright Lily in the ripon-races.co.uk Book Now For Saturday July 20th Fillies' Restricted Novice Stakes.
The smartly-bred daughter of Iffraaj looked in need of the experience on her racecourse introduction at Carlisle four weeks ago, so it is testament to her latent ability that after missing the break, she was spotted making late gains to grab the bronze medal in third.
Bright Lily should have a better idea of what is required at the second time of asking and even a small step forward should see her involved in the thick of the action.
Garden Oasis has already won five times at Ripon and another victory could be on the cards in the Bishopton Equine Handicap. Having been rated as high as 91 a few years ago, Tim Easterby's nine-year-old gets in off 71 here, 3lb higher than when claiming his most recent win over the course and distance in early June.
Garden Oasis has continued in good form since, placing back here next time when his stamina just ran out over 2000m before again being run down by younger legs in the Carlisle Bell Consolation late last month. Returning to the 1600m over which his front-running tactics have proved so effective, another bold bid looks assured.
On the same card, it is Louella who appeals in the Family Day Bank Holiday Monday 26th August Handicap for Roger Fell and Sean Murray.
The three-year-old Invincible Army-filly has posted two good efforts over 1200m this season, including an encouraging second at Ripon in the middle of May. She returns to the same track under a good jockey in Luke Morris and can win for the first time in her career under a favourable weight.
Ayr's feature race is the Dream Weddings At Western House Hotel Handicap and Dark Moon Rising gets the nod over 2600m. Kevin Ryan's gelding enjoyed stepping up to this distance when scoring at Hamilton on his penultimate outing and may just have got to the front too soon when fading back to finish ninth of 15 over 200m further at Thirsk last time.
Sustained stands out in the opening Get Raceday Ready Restricted Novice Stakes at Wolverhampton after staying on strongly to make a successful racecourse debut at the same venue recently.
Jumping fare comes from Worcester, where Fine Margin should make it back-to-back wins on British soil for the all-conquering Willie Mullins. The seven-year-old predictably outclassed his rivals at prohibitive odds when making the trip to Fontwell in late May and more of the same is expected in the AK Bets Watch All UK Racing Novices' Hurdle under a penalty. - Press Association
TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings on Monday. Here are the tips.
WORCESTER: Race 1: 15.00 Impression Chic, Race 2: 15.35 Pilot Show, Race 3: 16.10 Fine Margin, Race 4: 16.45 Tronador, Race 5: 17.20 Mattie Ross, Race 6: 17.50 Mactavish, Race 7: 18.25 Aviewofthestars.
AYR: Race 1: 15.20 Wattani, Race 2: 15.55 The Caltonian, Race 3: 16.30 We Still Believe, Race 4: 17.05 Dark Moon Rising, Race 5: 17.40 Yaaser, Race 6: 18.15 Thaki.
WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1: 17.45 Sustained, Race 2: 18.20 Eva Rosie, Race 3: 18.55 Monsieur Patat, Race 4: 19.30 Porfin, Race 5: 20.00 Flying Panther, Race 6: 20.35 Forgotten Treasure, Race 7: 21.10 Amroon, Race 8: 21.40 Victors Dream.
RIPON: Race 1: 19.20 Bright Lily, Race 2: 19.50 Rogue State, Race 3: 20.25 GARDEN OASIS (NAP), Race 4: 21.00 Paddy's Day, Race 5: 21.30 Sea La Venus, Race 6: 22.00 Louella.
ALL TO COME: Bright Lily and Garden Oasis (Ripon, Races 1 and 3)