Sam King tipped the winner of Sandown's finale last night and he's back with three selections today…
With Royal Ascot two-year-old clues around every corner at the moment, the flat season is beginning to take great shape. George Boughey saddled a hugely-exciting juvenile winner at Ripon last week and although Muqtahem may not be up to that calibre in the 7.25 at Pontefract, I could easily see him getting off the mark at the second attempt.
Tom Dascombe's Nellie Leylax has to be respected following his debut success at Beverley, but the ground was testing that day and the form continues to be let down by those in behind. Although I'm not disputing the fact, he should probably be favourite I am surprised by the price discrepancy between himself and the George Boughey-trained runner.
Muqtahem made a pleasing debut when third what I thought looked like a stronger maiden on paper at Hamilton a week ago shaping as though he'd come on plenty both mentally and physically for the experience. The son of Soldier's Call certainly knew his job first-time-out and was only collared late, having arguably looked the winner a furlong out.
George Boughey's last 16 runners at Pontefract have yielded five winners with a healthy strike-rate of 31%.
The step up to 6f (half-sister to a 6f winner) can also unlock some further improvement and I think he looks like a solid value bet at the prices to land this six-runner novice event.
Selection: Muqtahem – General 11/4
Sticking with the two-year-old theme we head to Bath. The Prompt Transport Novice Stakes at 4.50 has attracted a field of ten and I'd be very disappointed if Mashadi couldn't get off the mark at the third attempt.
Richard Hannon made it no secret he held this juvenile in fairly high regard and it's probably fair to say they'd have been hoping he would have had his head in front by now.
He pushed a highly touted Godolphin-owned newcomer to a head on debut at Newmarket and probably bumped into a smart Royal Ascot-bound colt when second in a warm-looking York maiden second-time-out. There looks to be nothing of those calibre of horses in this contest it's interesting Kevin Stott, AMO Racing's retained rider, makes the journey to Bath when he could have ridden for connections elsewhere.
The widest stall makes things slightly trickier, but he's had experience now and has shown no signs of jumping slowly from the gates in either start. The son of Blue Point ran to an RPR of 87 at York on his last start and connections may still have Royal Ascot on the agenda if he can do the business in smart fashion here.
Selection: Mashadi – General EVS
Goodwood hosts a cracking seven-race card featuring Listed action but it's the William Hill Extra Place Races Daily Handicap at 3.35 where my eyes are drawn.
It certainly looks competitive on paper but having assessed the pace angles I do wonder if Autumn Flight will get things easy out in front on a track where it can be hard to peg one back.
David O'Meara's charge has absolutely nothing to hide from the handicapper, but he did prove this mark was within range with a good fourth over a trip that stretched him at Thirsk last start.
The drop back to 7f looks absolutely key for this horse (6-12) and with William Buick booked he should give a bold sight from the front back down in Class 3 company.
Selection: Autumn Flight – General 7/2
