14:10 Leicester A wide open nursery handicap over 7f here. Charlie Chaplin looks set to go off as favourite after three respectable enough efforts in fairly decent maidens. Robert Eddery’s gelding has shown steady improvement each time and will appreciate the step down in class here. However, my selection has also campaigned at higher levels in her short career to date. Gaia Princess has run to within 3 lengths of the winner in a class 4 maiden, so this attempt at a class 6 should hold no fears. Trainer Gary Moore has employed the services of his son Ryan to do the steering, which is an undoubted plus. The filly also looks set to benefit from the step up in trip to 7f after running through the line on previous starts over 6f. Current odds allow an each way play and I expect a bold show. Gaia Princess (E/W)
15:45 Leicester William Haggas’ Contentment will be a warm order here. An expensive purchase who ran a respectable second to subsequent group 3 winner Poet’s Vanity, connections will be confident of getting off the mark at the third time of asking. However, her current price of 5/4 looks a touch skinny to me and I see better value in one of William Muir’s two horses in the race. Secret Agent has built considerably on his debut in July, placing twice in class 4 maidens and improving from race to race. The forecasted good ground will be no issue after encountering the same going in his last two starts. Muir has spoken positively of the colt’s home work and we have surely not seen the best of this son of Equiano yet. Odds of 7/1 look fair and an each way play is advised. Secret Agent (E/W)
16:20 Leicester Noble Gift rounded off his season last year with a win in this race and I believe he is set to repeat the trick. This tough gelding revels in dictating matters from the front and gets on exceptionally well with his very capable claiming jockey, Callum Shepherd. The small field of eight will make it easier to control the pace from the front and Noble Gift is now 1lb below his last winning mark. Trainer William Knight has a great record at Leicester and this seems his charge’s correct level after a failed attempt at stepping up to Group standard. Odds of 8/1 offer good each way value. Noble Gift (E/W)
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