Classic action across the UK and France may have ended but there are still six meetings to get stuck into and Sam King returns with his three best bets for Monday’s racing…
We head to Wolverhampton for our first wager, and I like the look of Secret Moment in the At The Races App Market Movers Handicap at 7.00.
Saeed Bin Suroor and Oisin Murphy have already teamed up for 1000 Guineas success this season and although this ride is certainly not of the same calibre, it does look like a significant jockey booking with the three-time champion getting back on board for just the second time.
His best form has come at this venue in the past and he shaped nicely when last seen 226 days ago in a stronger-looking Class 4 handicap at Chelmsford.
The return from an absence is absolutely no issue given he runs well fresh (finished runner-up at Chelmsford last April following six months off). The gelded son of Exceed And Excel looks on a workable mark having raced off 1lb higher in that aforementioned Chelmsford handicap and the yard arrive in good form with three winners from nine runners over the last fortnight.
I'm expecting Oisin Murphy to ride this six-year-old positively from stall two and with limited pace on offer he may just be capable of kicking away from his rivals off the bend.
Selection - Secret Moment – General 3/1
Our second selection comes from Windsor in the shape of Spartan Arrow, who can be given another chance in the feature Fitzdares Sprint Series Qualifier Handicap at 7.15.
The Crisford-trained three-year-old remains completely unexposed as a sprinter and showed bundles of pace when winning a 5 ½ f maiden at Brighton on his third career outing. The third home that day won a Salisbury handicap subsequently and the form of his narrow second over this 6f trip at Wolverhampton in September also looks solid.
It's easy to completely put a line through his handicap debut effort at York given he was badly hampered at a crucial stage.
The step back up to 6f looks like a plus and William Buick should get a good early spot from stall three. The lower stalls can be at an advantage over the 6f course at Windsor and I'm hoping this son of Sioux Nation may take a bit of pegging back if claiming that nearside rail.
Selection - Spartan Arrow – General 9/2
The third and final selection also comes from Windsor. The Marco Botti team have made a decent start to the season and Silver Gunn looks like a solid bet in the Download Fitzdares For Free Race Streaming Handicap at 7.45.
The lightly-raced five-year-old was having his first start since October when third over course and distance a week ago and shaped as though he'd certainly strip fitter for it.
A mark of 82 should pose little issue given he was competitive off higher last season and he's now only 2lb above his last winning mark (also came over course and distance).
The booking of James Doyle looks a nice positive and this is his first outing in Class 4 company since winning here last May.
He's likely to be held up for a late run but there looks to be enough pace on paper for that to be no problem and with rattling conditions to suit, I'm expecting a big run from the striking grey.
Selection – Silver Gunn – General 4/1
