Two of Sam King's three selections found the frame (11/2 and 12/1) yesterday and he returns with four more tips including a horse that should relish going up in trip on handicap debut.
There is plenty of high-quality action across the UK and Ireland to get stuck into today and we head to racing HQ for our first selection.
Newmarket's six-race card features some interesting juvenile action but it's the mile Race&Stay At The Irish Champions Festival Handicap at 6.55 that may provide the best wager of the evening.
With William Buick booked and first-time blinkers applied it's easy to see why the top-weight Southwold has found his way to the front of the betting. However, most firms are paying four places here and Lordsbridge Girl looks a rock-solid each-way bet at a general 7/1.
A record of 0-5 on turf doesn't really tell the whole story as she's been running creditably without winning all season on the grass.
William Knight's filly posted another decent effort in defeat when fourth over seven furlongs here three weeks ago and was doing all her best work at the finish. Both career wins have come over a mile on the all-weather and it's no surprise to see them move back up to that trip this evening.
Perhaps the biggest eye-catcher though is the booking the Jamie Spencer. It's probably fair to say she isn't the easiest horse to win with and does need playing late (which can suit on the July course). Spencer is 2-3 when partnering with the four-year-old and the pair may have what it takes to record another success this evening racing from a 1lb lower mark than that fourth-placed effort here three weeks back.
Selection: Lordsbridge Girl – General 7/1
Wolverhampton stages six races on the all-weather this afternoon and Michael Dods looks to have found a good opportunity for Jack Of Clubs to get off the mark in the concluding At The Races App Market Movers Handicap (4.35).
The 6lb penalty for market leader Autumnal Breeze isn't overly concerning but I couldn't have her at the prices given her starting position of stall eleven. In contrast, at pretty much the same price Jack Of Clubs is perfectly situated in stall two and I expect PJ McDonald to keep things ultra simple on his mount.
Michael Dods' runner produced a fine effort in defeat when third over course and distance two starts ago and posted a fairly positive speed figure in the process. The gelded son of Equiano went on to back that up with a good second-place finish on the turf at Thirsk eight days ago and he can get his head in front for the first time racing off an unchanged mark.
Selection: Jack Of Clubs – General 3/1
As stated in previous columns, I'm a big fan of siding with trainers to strike whilst the iron is hot, and Ralph Beckett continues to fire in the winners in recent weeks.
The Kimpton Down-based handler has saddled 17 winners from 50 runners over the last two weeks a figure that provides a very healthy 32% strike-rate.
He sends one horse to Epsom today. Battle Charge hasn't shown a great deal in his three qualifying runs but did hint at ability when sixth at Carlisle last time and that race has worked out well. The
now-rated 93 winner made a successful handicap debut at Ascot before finding the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood a step too far, while the third-placed horse also made a successful start in nurseries at Newmarket recently and is towards the fore of the market to follow up tomorrow. The fifth home was given a mark of 78 after landing a Pontefract maiden on his next start and the runner-up has run creditably since.
An opening mark of 69 looks workable based on that form alone and it's easy to believe there should be plenty of improvement to come from this son of Wootton Bassett now he tackles seven furlongs for the first time.
Selection: Battle Charge – General 3/1
Our fourth and final selection comes from Newbury. Captain Cuddles has been in my tracker since his pleasing run at Ascot last time and he looks to have plenty in his favour in the Christopher Smith Associates LLP Handicap at 4.20 this afternoon.
Richard Hannon's charge was quite hardly tried as a juvenile but bounced back to something like his best when third at Ascot recently. That was his first outing since being gelded and it's easy to upgrade that effort given, he chased an absolutely ridiculous pace. The first two home that day came from well off the speed and to put into context how well Richard Hannon's three-year-old did to stick in contention, pacesetter Global Esteem was beaten over sixteen lengths at the line compared to Captain Cuddles' two-and-a-quarter.
Pat Dobbs made all on this son of Kodiac for his sole success at Salisbury last year and I'd be happy to see him adopt similar tactics this time around. There doesn't appear to be bundles of pace on upfront and with a soft enough lead entirely possible, he looks a good bet to go pillar to post and record a second career success.
Selection: Captain Cuddles – General 9/2
