Frankel’s much awaited reappearance will make the headlines at Newbury this afternoon, but I have a couple of other races in mind at the Berkshire track. Selections from Thirsk and Uttoxeter make up the rest of today’s recommendations.

Newbury 2.30: BERTIEWHITTLE (9/2 general)
Having appeared something of a professional loser in his early days, finishing placed in seven consecutive races before finally winning his first race last season, Bertiewhittle has now developed into a sprinter of immense promise.

His win in a valuable 3yo handicap at Newmarket last August marked him down as an ideal type for the big sprint handicaps during the summer – a strong travelling horse that stays 6f very well. He can work his way into contention for those sort of prizes by beating this big field this afternoon.

His reappearance at Newmarket can be forgotten as he was badly hampered just as he was making his finishing effort. David Barron sends the gelding all the way down from his North Yorkshire base and he will be all the fitter for that recent run.

Thirsk 4.40: KASHGAR (5-1, general)
Big things are clearly expected of Kashgar, a colt who held an entry in the Epsom Derby until recently. Things have not gone according to plan so far, but with the Michael Bell yard coming into form, it could be third time lucky here.

Not given a hard time when a promising third at Yarmouth on his debut last month, he was sent off a warm favourite for a heavy ground maiden at Pontefract last time out. However having got worked up beforehand, he appeared to hit his head on leaving the stalls and ran no sort of race, being eased well before the finish.

Presumably he has suffered no lasting effects from that experience as he makes quite a quick reappearance here but he is bred for stamina, so this step up to 12f will suit. He could turn out to be overpriced as he surely must be better than what he showed at Pontefract as long as his temperament holds.

Newbury 5.50: QANNAAS (11-1 BetVictor EW)
Charlie Hills’ colt is clearly held in high regard as he has started a short price for all three races he has contested to date. However his over-exuberance has tended to get the better of him so far, so hopefully with the experience of those runs behind him he can perform more like what he evidently shows on the home gallops this afternoon.

Too free when a beaten favourite on debut at Warwick, his best run to date came at Newmarket at the end of last season when a close second. Expected to build on that at the same track last month, he got loose before the start which surely hindered his chance in the race – he was only seventh.

I would expect him to be more laid back today, and he might know too much for several fancied but less experienced rivals.

Uttoxeter 5.55: VICTOR LEUDORUM (4/1, Boylesports, William Hill, Bluesq, 888sport)
Charlie Mann’s charge has been very impressive in winning his last two hurdle races and can defy a double penalty to land the hat-trick this evening.

He easily dismissed Paul Nicholls’ useful Polisky at Wincanton last month, and promising conditional Gavin Sheehan’s 7lb claim means he only has to concede 7lbs to his rivals. His two chief rivals today are essentially chasers trying to nick a prize over the smaller obstacles, but Victor Leudorum could simply have too much pace for them on his favoured quick ground.

The Mann yard is in as good form as it has been for a while with three winners and two seconds from their last eight runners.

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Izzi Top’s success (advised 4-1) meant a winning day on Thursday at York. The action on the Knavesmire today looks pretty tricky on the whole to weigh up, but the 12f handicap is of interest, plus the well contested handicap hurdle at Aintree is worth a further look.

York 2.00: CAUCUS (11-2, general)
A successful week thus far for John Gosden and William Buick can get better with the classy Caucus lining up in a handicap.

Although he has only a maiden win to his credit at Chepstow a couple of years ago, Caucus has been highly tried since. A third place behind Dandino at Royal Ascot was enough to persuade connections to try the gelding in Group race company, his best effort coming when third in a Group 3 at Newmarket. He was transferred to Gosden last season, but was only seen out once when fifth in a Group 2 at Sandown.

It looks significant that he has been kept in training as a 5yo and although his sights have been lowered back into handicap company, he showed more than enough on his reappearance at Newmarket last time to prove he retains his old ability as he came a strong third to Ithoughtitwasover. Provided he does not bounce after such a short spell between races, it would be reasonable to expect further improvement today and with half the field making their first appearance of 2012, he could be that bit sharper than most here.

Aintree 7.05: TORNADO BOB (6-1, general)
Another in-form combination at the moment are the Donald McCain/Jason Maguire partnership, who did us a good turn with Red Merlin on Saturday. They hold strong claims with Tornado Bob at Aintree this evening.

Highly promising over hurdles last season, winning twice, he was expected to make a fine novice chaser last winter. However a terrible fall at Haydock on his first start seemed to knock his confidence badly as he failed to figure in two subsequent races over the bigger obstacles. He ran a much better race in a jumpers bumper at Southwell when second, and he has been kept to hurdling since.

Whilst he was well beaten on his next two starts, his last run at Ayr last month was much more like the old Tornado Bob, keeping on well to finish a close third. Hopefully he is now recovered both physically and mentally from that fall and with the stable going so well, the gelding can resume winning ways.

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The second day of York’s Dante meeting takes place and the best bets look to be in the opening two contests on the card.

York 1.30: RACY (11-1, bet365, Stan James)
Despite being without a win since his 2yo days, Racy has been promising to win a big handicap such as this for some time. On a track where he has run some fine races, he can finally add to his wins tally this afternoon.

He was a fine third in this race last season on what was his seasonal debut. Indeed he would have gone very close to winning but for being hampered at halfway. Only 10th over 6f here in July, he was even closer to victory at the Ebor meeting when getting headed close home back over 5f. To confirm his liking for York, he was also third over 6f in October.

Although he was only sixth on his reappearance at Beverley, there was a lot to like about his performance as he travelled well before getting tired on the soft ground and uphill finish. This sharper track plays to his strengths more and the drying ground will be in his favour too. Kevin Ryan has his sprinters in good form at the moment exemplified by Tiddliwinks’ shock win in the Group 2 sprint yesterday.

York 2.00: IZZI TOP (4-1, Boylesports)
John Gosden and William Buick teamed up on day one of the York meeting with a big-race double, and more success looks likely to come their way with Izzi Top in the Group 2 Middleton Stakes.

Highly progressive as a 3yo, she was a highly creditable third in the Oaks, and after missing the rest of the summer came back to win a Group 3 in France in the autumn over 11f. She showed commendable speed on her reappearance to win over 9f in another Group 3 at Newmarket recently, and looks good enough to take the step up to Group 2 level with an extra 1f in her favour here.

Whilst she handled the soft ground well at Newmarket, her form on quicker ground last spring was good, so the going at York she not pose any issue. She can surely only improve further and will enjoy a fitness edge over a couple of her main rivals this afternoon.

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Another small profit yesterday courtesy of Themanfromfraam’s 9/4 win at Hereford. With some quality action on offer at York it looks sensible to stick with the big meeting for today’s selections. I am taking two against the field for the opening handicap and have some each-way value for the Duke of York Stakes.

York 1.30: LABARINTO (15/2 general) and AREA FIFTY ONE (10/1 general)
A fast pace looks assured with a big field and the presence of a couple of front runners for this opening contest.

One of those likely pacemakers is Area Fifty One who showed good progress throughout last season with Willie Muir, culminating in a decisive 3l win at Nottingham on his final start. He has since been bought by Dr Koukash to join his ever expanding team and Richard Fahey could well find further improvement from the 4yo this season.

Fahey is very capable of readying one first time out, so it would be no surprise to see Area Fifty One run a big race. He was all set to run at Chester last week until all the rain arrived, but with the ground drying out on the Knavesmire, conditions should be fine for him.

However Labarinto has to be feared if he comes back to the midsummer form which saw him land a similar race at Glorious Goodwood over this 10f trip. He had run consistently well up until that point in this grade.

Whilst he has been undeniably disappointing in two runs since, he may have been over the top when down the field at Newbury on his final run of 2011, whilst the very soft ground and shorter distance would have been no help to him there on his first start of this year. The Stoute team have been going much better this past couple of weeks, so I expect a much better effort from him today.

York 3.00: LIBRANNO (18/1 ew)
Connections still clearly aren’t certain about the best trip for this 4yo who has been campaigned over various distances between 6f and 1m throughout his career. However on the evidence of his form, his best runs have come over today’s 6f trip.

Although his two wins last season were over 7f, that included the very sharp track at Goodwood where he just lasted home. Arguably his two best runs were in defeat over 6f. He was a fine fourth in the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket, and third to the top sprinter Deacon Blues at Ascot.

He is another horse that can be forgiven two bad runs since. Both runs came on ground that was far too soft for him, especially at Sandown on his reappearance last month, where he clearly did not stay the mile. With the emphasis more on speed than stamina here, and with the ground drying out to near good, Libranno will surely be much more competitive and the bookies may have had short memories by pricing him up so high in the betting.

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Supaheart (7/2) got us off to a sound start for the week. Plenty of reasonable races to choose from today, but two selections over the jumps look to leap off the page most.

Hereford 3.20: THEMANFROMFRAAM (sp)
Richard Johnson can keep things in the family when partnering Themanfromfraam at Hereford, for his mother (the trainer) and father (the owner).

Apart from a couple of third-placed efforts in very moderate races, the gelding had shown little form in his first spell for the yard. However a transfer to Tim Vaughan’s yard reaped dividends last season as he landed a couple of chases, earning a two stone rise in the weights as a consequence. That probably handicaps him out of chases, but his hurdles mark remains 17lbs lower and on the evidence of two strong efforts back with Sue Johnson this spring, is on a mark he can win off over the smaller obstacles.

He was beaten just a neck at Stratford following a nine month absence in March and was going like a winner over 3m at Uttoxeter last time, before seemingly tiring late on due to the unsuitably soft ground. His best form has come on quicker conditions, which he should get today and from the same mark of 75, and with 2f less to cover, he has enough about him to see off this moderate field.

Southwell 6.40: CAUSING CHAOS (4/1, bet365, Skybet)
A little too one-paced to win over hurdles, although he only finished out of the first five in one of his five races, Causing Chaos has improved considerably for jumping fences in the past year. He could be a step ahead of the handicapper on only his fifth start over the bigger obstacles and receiving weight all round here, looks the one to beat.

A solid fourth in a competitive handicap at Warwick in his first chase, he made no mistake at Folkestone next time, justifying favouritism. But for a last fence blunder, he would surely have followed up back at Warwick on his next start, getting caught by Trigger the Light close home. He also went very close at Ffos Las last time, going down by just a half-length.

Improving with every start, his jumping has gradually been getting more fluent and whilst he stays well, he has the pace to cope with this sharp track. The going looks set to be ideal for him, just on the slow side of good and although the Twiston-Davies yard aren’t having too many winners at the moment, pretty much all of their string are running well.

Category: Horse racing

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With further rain around it looks safest to stick with the All Weather today and the afternoon card at Wolverhampton for both of today’s selections.

Wolverhampton 3.45: TROPICAL BACHELOR (7/2 general)
After making a promising first appearance on the All Weather since contesting his first ever race, Tropical Bachelor looks worth another shot on sand at Wolverhampton this afternoon.

Always handy he kept on nicely to be third to Wicked Spirit over 12f here. Although both his career wins have been gained at that distance, he has plenty of good runs over 14f and he should be suited by this step up in trip. He has actually been dropped a pound by the handicapper and having previously won off 66, a current mark of 62 can be exploited. Not too many of his rivals are in good form at present, so this does not look the toughest of contests.

Wolverhampton 4.45: SUPAHEART (7/2)
She has not shaped to date like one of Hughie Morrisons’ stable stars, but she showed enough at Southwell last time to think she will be up to landing a handicap or two at this modest level.

Her two races last season were both in competitive maidens at Salisbury and Newbury, and she was up with the pace for the most part at Newbury over this 1m trip. A third place at Southwell last time proved her ability to handle an artificial surface and she looks to have plenty of scope to improve on what she has shown thus far. An initial mark of 65 looks fair on what she has achieved and there may be more to come on her handicap debut here.

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Red Merlin (advised 7/1) made it a successful day yesterday, although it would have been nice to see one of our two second places go one better as well. Jumping action all the way in Britain today where handicaps at Worcester and Uttoxeter are the focus of my attention.

Worcester 3.20: PONTYATES (5/1)
As is so often the case at this time of year, the Peter Bowen stable has come right into form – six winners in the past month, compared to only two in the whole of 2012 before then. On that basis Pontyates must be considered for the 2m4f handicap hurdle.

This race looks to revolve around whether the tearaway favourite Midnight Tuesday can keep up the usual breakneck gallop he sets. On a sharp track and drying ground, he may well do so, but at a shortish price he could be vulnerable to a fast finisher. Pontyates could fit that bill as his racing style so far suggests he is a strong stayer.

Not quick enough to win 2m bumpers, he made a respectable hurdling debut on his only attempt of the 2010/11 season when sixth in a hot novice to Our Father at Chepstow. Off for more than a year after that, he looked rusty when well beaten on his return at Warwick, but performed much better when 4th, only a week later, at Ffos Las at the end of March. The Bowen yard is going so much better now so Pontyates could be well in for his handicap debut.

Uttoxeter 4.30: SOUTH O THE BORDER (4/1)
The flat bred South o’the Border has not looked a natural over fences to date – although he has placed second twice in six attempts, but he has been dropped so much by the assessor that I can’t resist the opportunity to follow him today.

Although he enjoyed four wins at middle distances in his natural environment on the flat, recent evidence suggests he is a thorough stayer nowadays who will need every yard of this 3m2f trip. Furthermore the slower pace they will go will help him over the obstacles as he is not the most fluent of jumpers. He was rated 132 when a well beaten 7th in January 2011 over fences, but after only one other go in a novice at Hereford, the handicapper took pity by dropping him all the way to 108 when connections decided to give him another go in a chase at Kelso last week over 2m6f.

He wasn’t quite able to take advantage that day, but was running on strongly up the run-in suggesting this extra 4f will help immensely. From the same mark today he looks better positioned to use his rating. He was a close 5th off 125 in a decent hurdle at Newbury as recently as March, so he is in good enough form at present.

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Ballesteros was a winner yesterday. There is plenty of good flat racing on offer today, albeit on unusually soft ground for this time of year. I have three selections on the level, plus one from the big hurdle at Haydock.

Ascot 2.50: CERTRAL (7/1)
Although she had raced purely on faster ground prior to this season, there was a lot to like about Certral’s first effort on slow ground at Nottingham on her return last month, and she is a live candidate for this handicap.

Held up in rear, she made up a massive amount of ground in the straight to finish second – which takes some doing around Nottingham which normally favours front runners. She should be able to lie closer to the pace on this straight course and looks capable of further improvement with an added edge on fitness today. Promising 7lb claimer Darren Egan also reduces her weight.

Haydock 3.40: RED MERLIN (7/1)
Formerly a useful staying handicapper on the flat, Red Merlin has adapted well to hurdling after a slow start. Beaten on his first three goes over hurdles, albeit at a high level, he then won his next four.

He looked all over a winner in the Scottish Champion Hurdle last time, but probably paid for racing too freely in blinkers and faded on the run-in. The headgear has been removed again and he looks the ideal strong travelling type for this cavalry charge.

He has been kept to racing on a sound surface for the most part over hurdles, but if he handles soft ground as well as he did on the flat, he holds an outstanding chance today representing the Donald McCain team that remains in such fine form.

Haydock 4.15: FIREBEAM (5/2)
Haydock reverts to flat racing after its feature contest and the front running Firebeam can resume winning ways on his reappearance.

A rapid improver during his first season of racing in 2011, he has already graduated beyond handicap company by landing a conditions event over course and distance on his last start in September. Whilst this represents a further slight step up in grade he could well get his own way in front and dominate this smallish field. He is very much proven on slow ground so can maintain his upward curve today.

FAMA MAC: 6.15 Thirsk (6/1)
Still a maiden after ten runs, Fama Mac produced a career best at this track over 6f last time running on strongly into third place from a 4lbs higher mark.

For a horse who had been running over 10f last season, today’s 7f distance will surely help him and the softer the ground the better for him as his only other placed effort came when second in a heavy ground maiden at Newcastle.

Although well beaten on his first start of the season at Redcar, he ran well for a long way before getting tired. A low draw and a rock bottom handicap mark give Fama Mac the opportunity to get his head in front today as he should be up to peak fitness now.

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After yesterday’s washout with a non-runner and an abandonment, hopefully today’s selections will at least take part. Both come from the big fixture at Chester which has just about survived the current poor weather.

Chester 1.35: PINTURA (13/2)
The 5yo has not been in the greatest form of late, but a return to a track where he has a decent record, on going he will like, makes Pintura of interest this afternoon.

He should hardly be on the downgrade at his age, so I am sure there is better to come than he shown in two races finishing in mid-division, albeit in the two most competitive mile handicaps of the season so far – the Lincoln and the Spring Cup. He was a narrowly beaten second in this race last season on much quicker ground on his last start at Chester, and had registered a third place here in 2010.

Apart from his last run at Newbury, he has an excellent record when the going rides soft, reading 3333120. The handicapper has helped by dropping him 7lbs for just those two recent defeats, so he is actually a pound lower than when so close to winning this race last season. Dr Koukash owns no less than four of the competitors here, and it would appear Jamie Spencer has chosen Pintura over his three fancied rivals, which must be a pointer.

Chester 3.05: BALLESTEROS (2/1)
Fresh from a recent victory at Sandown, Ballesteros can continue his perfect record on soft ground by following up on the Roodee.

He has won on all three occasions he has raced on ground slower than good, and he ploughed through the bottomless conditions at Sandown despite coming from well off the pace and getting briefly stopped in his finishing effort over a furlong out. Raised 6lbs for that win, he could have yet more to give on his favoured ground, especially with an advantageous low draw.

He is probably best on a sharp track as his best form has been reserved for Haydock’s flat sprint track, so Chester should suit better than Sandown where he did look to be getting tired on the stiff, uphill finish.

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Confessional (advised 13/2) gave us a winning start to the Chester meeting. With yet more rain sweeping across the country, Opera Gal looks the best bet at the feature meeting at Chester, a track she has winning form on and with give in the ground. Elsewhere Powerful Ambition can break his maiden tag over hurdles at Kelso.

Chester 1.35: OPERA GAL (8/1 general)
Andrew Balding’s mare could take some pegging back around the tight turns of Chester this afternoon. Heavy overnight rain is sure to make conditions extremely testing on the Roodee this afternoon, and making up ground from the back of the field could prove tricky.

The best place to be could therefore be in front, and this proven pacemaker has form too on soft ground which makes her an attractive proposition for this race. She brings a touch of class into this contest having spent most of last season campaigned in listed and group races. She was a winner on good to soft ground at Windsor in August, making all in a listed event. Whilst her last two runs were not as good, she had been given plenty of racing and might just have had enough for the year by then.

Refreshed from a winter break, this slight drop in class can get her back on the winning road. She was a brave winner over course and distance two seasons ago, proving she can handle the track. The Balding team have been in excellent form so far in May, so Opera Gal can keep the good run going.

Kelso 6.45: POWERFUL AMBITION (7/2)
Although Brian Ellison’s 6yo has finished second in all his three races to date in 2012, there appears to be little wrong with his attitude and he has simply met one horse too good each time. However he remains lightly raced and therefore open to further improvement and he could get his day this time around.

Placed twice in bumpers, he made little show over 2m in his first three runs over hurdles. However a step up in trip and a switch to handicapping has seen him to much better effect since. He has caught the eye in particular on both his last two starts. He stayed on strongly over 2m5f at Huntingdon into second place, and might have been given a little too much to do here last week over the same course and distance, where only Humbie was able to hold him off up the long run-in.

Powerful Ambition is sent out again very quickly and is effectively 4lbs well in today as his new handicap mark does not kick in until the weekend. If Denis O’Regan can keep him a little closer to the pace, he looks well placed to score here. He has already proven he can handle cut in the ground, so should not mind the rain forecast to fall during the day.

Category: Horse racing

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