A weekend stacked full of top-quality action continues today with top cards at both Towcester and Crayford - the Northamptonshire track hopefully back with its usual batch of Sunday opens after hare problems last week and Crayford staging the Ladbrokes Guys & Dolls Final.
Pick at Towcester is the reappearance of Romeo Command (3.29) who can warm up for an intended crack at the upcoming JenningsBet Select Stakes by making a successful return in the top division of the Towcester Standard over 500m.
The Patrick Janssens-trained runner, the 2023 English Derby runner-up, had luck in this year's Classic but then shone in the Coral Sussex Cup at Hove and is fancied to prove too strong all-round for in-form Antigua Bingo and Table Toppers, who looks well drawn.
Gun Slinger (3.49) is an interesting runner for an in-form Mark Wallis team when he goes in the top division of the maiden. He was closest at the finish at Monmore last week, posting a decent enough clock, and can strike fourth time up.
The very next contest sees kennelmate Ballymac Taylor (4.07) go in an intriguing 712m Towcester Stayers clash against her litter brother Haka Carlo and Select Stayers-bound Fabulous Dyna - preference is for the Dorando Marathon champion who needs every metre of this trip but is super-strong.
Moving on to Crayford tonight and a competitive Ladbrokes Guys & Dolls Final which sees the dogs and bitches - the 'Guys' and 'Dolls' - do battle together for the first time in the event after being separated for heats and semi-finals. A £5,000 first prize awaits the winner of this 380m Category Two contest.
Narrow preference is for Laughil Jess (7.49), the Queen of Crayford, to complete a stunning return to the track with victory for local trainer Dave Lee.
Lee has a strong hand in the one-lap feature given both All Along and Mini Eva join Jess in the line-up. Mini Eva is unbeaten in the competition but could be heading inwards from the get-go tonight, potentially clearing the way for the prolific-scoring Gold Collar heroine to turn in a pitch on her outside - and she will not be stopping!
Tom Heilbron will have high hopes for Romeo To Victory as the only seeded runner in the Guys & Dolls final but either way his Madabout Peck (6.26) should go well in a supporting 380m contest having not enjoyed the best of luck at Crayford so far. A slick exit paves the way tonight.
The Ladbrokes Dual Distance Hurdle Final looks a trappy affair but the draw for Dazl Hermes (8.24) looks good for his chances in a Ricky Holloway-dominated affair, while other Crayford fancies are Dave Lee's well-drawn Droopys Promise (6.08) in the opener Tony Collett's improving Hellofabullet (6.42) and Ricky Holloway's Golden Jacket hero Dazl Rolex (6.59).
Towcester tips
Romeo Command (3.29)
Gun Slinger (3.49)
Ballymac Taylor (4.07)
Crayford calls
Droopys Promise (6.08)
Madabout Peck (6.26)
Hellofabullet (6.42)
Dazl Rolex (6.59)
Dazl Hermes (8.24)
