There are six meetings across the UK and Ireland on this wonderful Wednesday and Sam King returns with three selections to whet the appetite…
Harry Eustace has made a brilliant start to his training career and Man Of A'An really should be getting off the mark at Beverley (Skidby Restricted Maiden Stakes -3.40) this afternoon.
This looks like a good bit of placing by the Newmarket-based trainer and it's probably fair to say this is weaker than the contest he went down narrowly in at Redcar twenty-seven days ago.
The gelded son of Highland Reel built on a promising debut sixth at Kempton when denied a short-head on his second start and it's easy to give reason he was perhaps a tad unlucky not to win that day. Although not exactly slowly away, he had to sit and suffer from a wide draw at Redcar and all the action was unfolding away from him. The winner got a dream passage up against the far side rail and definitely got first run on Harry Eustaces' charge, who came late and fast but failed to get up in the dying strides.
There should be plenty more to come from this horse as he continues to gain experience but with this looking a fairly moderate maiden, I'd be disappointed if he couldn't take this before entering handicap company next-time-out.
Selection: Man Of A'An – General 5/4
George Scott has done well with his juveniles this season and Lieutenant Rascal looks to have every chance of scoring for the first time in the EBF Restricted Maiden at Hamilton (2.50).
He looked in need of the experience when fifth on debut at Thirsk and possibly unsuited by the soft ground. The son of U S Navy Flag took a nice step forward from that initial effort when runner-up over course and distance and looks likely to put his additional experience to good use here.
The third home that day has scored nicely at Pontefract on his second start for George Boughey and I'd expect that race to work out well as the season goes on.
Stall seven should be no bother given how professional he's been out of the stalls on both starts to date and I'm fully expecting him to get off the mark here.
Selection: Lieutenant Rascal – General 7/4
Our third and final wager also comes from Hamilton and Keith Dalgleish can continue his good run of recent form with Breguet Boy taking out the closing Stay At Hampton By Hilton Hamilton Park Handicap at 5.20.
Keith Dalgleish has been operating at a strong 33% (5-15) strike-rate for the last 14 days, and his six-year-old Breguet Boy remains dangerously well-handicapped off a mark of 55.
Victory never really looked in doubt when winning over this trip at Musselburgh earlier in the month and it's easy to argue a 4lb rise looks lenient. The runner-up won an apprentice handicap at Ayr on his next start and with the form looking solid for the grade, I doubt a 4lb rise in the weights will be enough to prevent him going in again.
Selection: Breguet Boy – General 13/8
