It may pay to lump on Lysander as William Haggas’ lightly-raced colt steps up to Listed level for the British Stallion Studs EBF Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood.
The highly-regarded son of New Approach was an eyecatching third on his racecourse debut at Newbury at the backend of the 2021 season and reappeared in imperious form when storming to a clear-cut eight-and-a-half-length victory at Newcastle.
He relished the step up to 10 furlongs on that occasion and the extra furlong here should pose few problems as Lysander steps out onto the Sussex Downs.
Spoken of in only glowing terms by connections, the three-year-old has entries for both the Cazoo Derby and King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.
A tilt at one or the other will loom large if he can add to his tally here.
John and Thady Gosden's Emotion could be the answer to the other Listed race on the card – the William Hill Height Of Fashion Stakes.
All eyes were on her stablemate Emily Upjohn when Emotion made her debut at Sandown, but there was no doubt who was the star of the show on the filly's second start as the daughter of Frankel took a huge leap forward to win with her head in her chest at Kempton.
She was 16 lengths clear of the second at the finish of that mile-and-a-half contest and she is expected to make a winning transition to Pattern class.
Clive Cox's Kaasib can rubber-stamp his ticket to Royal Ascot by following up his Salisbury success with victory in the opening William Hill Acca Club / British EBF Novice Stakes.
The youngster was beaten a neck at Windsor on debut, but made no mistake at the second time of asking, recording a super-fast time in the process. The stopwatch rarely lies and the laidback nature of this speedy son of US Navy Flag could make the step up to six furlongs elementary.
Goshen has been found a good opportunity to complete a cross-code hat-trick when he runs for Gary Moore in the Sussex Roof Garden Bar Handicap.
The six-year-old has won his last two outings over hurdles and returns to the level looking to make amends to those with long memories, as he was a beaten favourite at this track in his most recent foray on the Flat in October 2020.
It would be no surprise to see Hugo Palmer become a name to note at Haydock having moved to Michael Owen's Manor House Stables and his Lily Agnes fourth Glorious Angel is worth keeping an eye on in the British Stallion Studs EBF Restricted Maiden Fillies' Stakes.
Things didn't go to plan from an outside draw and on soft ground at Chester last time, but there will be no excuses over the straight six furlongs and she can show her true colours on Merseyside.
Sense Of Duty is of clear interest for the bang-in-form William Haggas team in the Listed EBF British Stallion Studs Cecil Frail.
A five-length winner at Newbury last summer, the daughter of Showcasing was similarly impressive on her return from eight months off the track at Redcar.
She faces a significant step up in class, but the fact her trainer feels she merits a place in this sort of company speaks volumes.
At Catterick, side with John Wainwright's Tantastic to follow up his recent all-weather victory and take the opening racingtv.com Apprentice Handicap.
A switch to front-running tactics worked the oracle at Newcastle last time and could work again here over a track and trip he was a promising third at on his penultimate start.
The same tactics could also prove fruitful for Divine Connection, who made every yard at Pontefract last month and is sure to be attempting a repeat in the Watch On Racing TV Classified Claiming Stakes. This looks a winnable race for Craig Lidster's mare and conditions looks spot on for a bold bid.
SELECTIONS:
BATH: 1.10 Andre Amar, 1.45 Lady Mander, 2.20 Commander Straker, 2.55 Cuban Breeze, 3.30 Symbol Of Hope, 4.05 Schmilsson, 4.40 Mrembo, 5.10 Local Bay.
CATTERICK: 5.20 Tantastic, 5.53 Gemcutter, 6.28 Gift Of Raaj, 7.03 John Kirkup, 7.38 Divine Connection, 8.10 Sir Robin, 8.43 Merry Secret.
CURRAGH: 4.25 Apache Outlaw, 4.55 Waterville, 5.25 Boundless Ocean, 6.00 Visualisation, 6.35 Selective Power, 7.10 Himalayan Beauty, 7.45 Grizabella, 8.15 Band Of Outlaws.
DOWNPATRICK: 5.05 Canteeny Benny, 5.35 Building Bridges, 6.10 Lily Light Foot, 6.45 West Breeze, 7.20 Nuttorridge, 7.55 Handy Headon, 8.25 Get Me To The Park.
GOODWOOD: 1.00 Kaasib, 1.35 Rousay, 2.10 Emotion, 2.45 Spanish Star, 3.20 LYSANDER (NAP), 3.55 Crystal Estrella, 4.30 Goshen.
HAYDOCK: 1.20 Legendary Day, 1.55 Glorious Angel, 2.30 Sense Of Duty, 3.05 Satirical, 3.40 Aeonian, 4.15 Dougies Dream, 4.45 Bruno's Gold.
WORCESTER: 5.15 Obey The Rules, 5.45 Duc De Bourbon, 6.20 Rolling Dylan, 6.55 Sporty Jim, 7.30 Striking Out, 8.03 Just Go For It, 8.35 Rock On Rita.
