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15:30 Kelso
Chestnut Ben had quite a few of these in behind him when he was recently successful at Musselburgh including Yorkist, Aye Well and The Grey Taylor. He is taken to confirm that form here this afternoon following another decent effort at Sandown last time. The eleven year old had to give weight away all around on that occasion and made one error that ultimately cost him his chance of victory.
Lightening Rod was narrowly beaten by the selection in that aforementioned race at Musselburgh back in January. He enjoys a nice pull at the weights this time around and looks an obvious threat. He hasn’t been seen on the track since that effort though and that is an obvious concern. Indian Voyage won over the course and distance the last time that he raced here. He seems to be seen to better effect on really testing ground though and that may not be on offer this afternoon. Jet Master loves it around Kelso and won twice around here a couple of seasons ago. He hasn’t suggested that he is about to recapture that form but a return to the track could well see him run a much better race.
Ryan Winks has forged an excellent partnership with his fathers charge this year. He still claims seven pounds meaning the combination receive weight from all of their rivals this afternoon. A bold effort is predicted from the evergreen veteran and he can go close here.
Chestnut Ben (WIN)
16:10 Taunton
Rothman finally managed to get his head on front at Fontwell last August and he is taken to build upon that success this afternoon. Paul Nicholls has not been in a hurry to get him back on the track but as he has progressed with each run to date, he is quietly taken to do so again. Sam Twiston-Davies renews his association with the six year old today and they can go well despite the lack of a recent run.
Kerryhead Storm is the only rival with recent winning form and that came on heavy ground at Leicester last time. At this stage of his career he may not appreciate the notable change of surface and he cannot be trusted to repeat the effort. My Brother Sylvest is beginning to look like a dangerously well handicapped individual. He will appreciate this faster surface and comes from a yard in terrific form at present. He could well prove to be the biggest danger to Rothman.
Paul Nicholls seems to have turned a corner in recent weeks with his runners but following a couple of wins for the yard at the Cheltenham festival last week, confidence ought to be high. With age and speed still on his side it would be of little surprise to see Rothman go in again.
Rothman (WIN)
16:50 Southwell
Being Global produced the best effort of his career when last seen out in December. He got to within a couple of lengths of Ballinalacken on that occasion and he can progress again this afternoon on this better ground. The form of the last race is beginning to work out as Hopes Wishes who finished seventeen lengths behind the selection has come out to record two subsequent wins.
Mister Dick has been running in decent races in all of his starts so far. The Jonjo O’Neill trained runner now dips his toes into handicap company for the first time and he may well have been let in lightly here. He comes into race at peak fitness and he ought to go well for Joshua Moore. Mondo Cane is a previous course winner that has also been placed on two other occasions at the track. The Charlie Pogson trained nine year old is still only relatively lightly raced and it is difficult not to see him reach the frame yet again at a track he clearly has an affinity with.
Being Global looks to have been deliberately put away in the hope of finding better ground. Now that the weather appears to have turned Caroline Bailey can unleash her improving five year old. Harry Skelton is an eyecatching jockey booking and a decent effort is predicted.
Being Global (E/W if 9/2+)