By Anita Chambers
Marie’s Rock can give Nicky Henderson a notable boost heading into the jumps season proper by landing Listed honours at Bath.
Henderson has has only a handful of Flat runners this term, including this mare who was tried in Group Three company at York in May in what was her first proper run on the level.
Beaten just under four lengths when fifth behind Term Of Endearment in the Bronte Cup, the form from that has worked out well enough with the second, third and fourth filling exactly the same places in the Group One Prix de Royallieu, in which the winner was not far behind in seventh.
Given her need for soft ground, Marie’s Rock did not run through the summer months but she has proved more than capable of performing well after a lay off, most notably when winning the Relkeel Hurdle first time last year.
With testing conditions in prospect, Marie’s Rock should have the ground to suit in the British Stallion Studs EBF Beckford Stakes.
Rory Rocket hit the bar on debut but can go one place better in the Best Odds Guaranteed dragonbet.co.uk EBF ‘Confined’ Restricted Novice Stakes.
Trained by Gary and Josh Moore, Rory Rocket was clearly in need of the experience at Brighton last month, starting slowly but still managing to battle his way to the front with a furlong to run.
That early effort perhaps told as he weakened in the finish to be beaten a length and a quarter in second, but a repeat of that should be enough to triumph here.
Last Galileo was all the rage on his racecourse bow last month but was comprehensively beaten into second place at Redcar.
A €200,000 purchase, Last Galileo was sent off favourite and while he travelled well, he ultimately had no answer when High Season shot five lengths clear.
He should feel the benefit of that outing as steps up to a mile to contest the Patron Tequila Novice Stakes at Ayr.
Earl Of Rochester has been off the track since posting a promising third in the Wood Ditton at Newmarket back in April.
Beaten three-quarters of a length, the winner First Conquest is now rated 98 while second-placed Lead Artist – a fellow John and Thady Gosden inmate – boasts a mark of 112 after a Group Three win and a Group Two place.
A further three winners have emerged from the also-rans and while Earl Of Rochester has to overcome a lengthy absence, he might have a touch of class and should enjoy moving up to 10 furlongs in Chelmsford’s betting.betfair.com EBF Novice Stakes.
Trident takes the eye in the Get Raceday Ready Maiden Stakes at Southwell.
A No Nay Never half-brother to top Australian runner and influential stallion Zoustar, Trident shaped with promise on his initial second and can boost his profile ahead of a sales date later in the month.
Florencethemachine can make a perfect start over fences in the Follow Us On X @betrhino Novices’ Handicap Chase at Exeter.
A point-to-point winner before joining Paul Nicholls, she won two of six hurdles starts but should excel now switched to chasing.
Top tips for today’s UK meetings
TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.
BATH: Race 1: 14.25 Made For You, Race 2: 15.00 Rory Rocket, Race 3: 15.35 Louis Treize,
Race 4: 16.10 MARIE'S ROCK (NAP), Race 5: 16.45 Tap Dancer, Race 6: 17.20 Bramble Jelly,
Race 7: 17.59 Dusk Dame.
AYR: Race 1: 14.40 Melinda, Race 2: 15.15 Last Galileo, Race 3: 15.50 Golden Valour, Race 4:
16.25 Hour By Hour, Race 5: 17.00 Sparkling Red, Race 6: 17.33 Mr Jetman, Race 7: 18.08
Jaminoz.
EXETER: Race 1: 14.48 Call To Duty, Race 2: 15.23 Florencethemachine, Race 3: 15.58
Roaring Home, Race 4: 16.33 Cat Tiger, Race 5: 17.08 Mr Zee, Race 6: 17.43 Fakir, Race 7:
18.18 In The Air.
SOUTHWELL: Race 1: 17.24 Ben Dikduk, Race 2: 17.55 Mandana, Race 3: 18.30 Rhyme Dust,
Race 4: 19.00 Liosa, Race 5: 19.30 Trident, Race 6: 20.00 Oscar Doodle, Race 7: 20.30 The
Resdev Way, Race 8: 21.00 Cool Party, Race 9: 21.30 Ancient Times.
CHELMSFORD: Race 1: 17.38 Dubai Magic, Race 2: 18.13 Leblon Girl, Race 3: 18.45 Wannabe
Brave, Race 4: 19.15 Bebside, Race 5: 19.45 Earl Of Rochester, Race 6: 20.15 All Agleam,
Race 7: 20.45 Wadacre Tivoli, Race 8: 21.15 Capallcliste.
ALL TO COME: Last Galileo (Ayr, Race 2) and Marie's Rock (Bath, Race 4).
For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab4Racing.com