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Cartmel 16:25 Whether it’s Sticky Toffee Pudding, the stunning scenery, the enormous crowds, the fair ground or quite simply the good old thoroughbred racehorse, there is something irresistible about Cartmel on each of the seven days a year they put on a show for us. Very few race meetings in the North of England and Scotland seem to pass by without at least one Irish raider taking home their share of prize money and Gordon Elliot continued the trend when winning Cartmel’s most valuable race, the Cumbria Crystal Trophy, with Eshtiaal on Saturday. Today, however, get stuck in to local trainer James Moffatt’s Altruism in the handicap chase. The son of Authorized, out of a dam by Observatory, should enjoy the decent ground and bring up a hat-trick. Although 2015 Grand Annual winner Next Sensation continues to drop down the weights and become increasingly dangerous, our lad has won no less than four times over course and distance. Kumbeshwar bounced backed to form here for Lucinda Russell three weeks ago and has a four pound penalty, but I still think the progressive Altrusim can give the nine-year-old 12 pounds and win. Altruism is a smart horse and can beat his esteemed rivals in conditions he will relish. Altruism (WIN)
Ayr 16:40 We have just two months to wait until the 2016 Ayr Gold Cup, one of the highlights of the flat racing calendar. Increasingly it seems our heritage handicaps are being won by younger, progressive horses who epitomise the very definition of a Group horse masquerading as a handicapper (see last year’s hero Don’t Touch). However, the Ayr Gold Cup is traditionally a hunting ground for older horses, such as six-year-old gelding Perfect Pasture who was hugely impressive when winning the Scurry Handicap at the Curragh on Saturday. Mick Easterby’s son of Pastoral Pursuits was winning for the ninth time and yet this was his highest winning mark yet. Perfect Pasture seems to be improving and is worth keeping an eye on for both the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood and if coming here to Ayr on Gold Cup day. Today at Ayr there is a £25,000 handicap, a huge purse which again is a huge credit to the racecourse, but the bet of the day is surely Falcon’s Fire in the extended 13-furlong handicap. This gelding, bred out of US sire Thewayyouare, won comfortably at Hamilton just six days ago off a mark of 55 and reappears with a six-pound penalty despite his authoritative victory on soft ground. The Keith Dalgleish yard continue to go well and whilst this will almost certainly be a tactical affair, with just six going to post, the race is there for the taking. None of these are prolific winners and, although Kelvin Hall and Transpennine Star are obviously feared, after 12 runs without a win Falcon’s Fire is quickly learning his craft and should go in again. He can be easily backed to win at a short price. Falcon’s Fire (WIN)
Beverley 20:10 Time flies. The “all new” Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival somehow celebrates its tenth year this week. The annual fiesta continues apace at Beverley this evening where no doubt there will be more fun and games for all the family. Beginning at Ripon at the weekend and climaxing at Pontefract this coming Sunday, this nine-day extravaganza celebrates the Racing scene in the White Rose county with its fair share of food, drink, fashion and music thrown in (assuming The Kaiser Chiefs and The Corrs are your cup of tea!). Ultimately, this successful initiative continues to promote Yorkshire’s nine, unique racecourses (although Wetherby is absent this year) and draw big crowds. This can only be a good thing for Racing and, after ten successful years, all involved should be commended. The top trainer of the festival last year was Mark Johnston who has made all the headlines last week thanks to his typically forthright and honest opinions on our great sport. Regardless of how one may have received Johnston’s views on the complex television coverage of Racing and betting, it goes without saying that he sure can train horses and the eachway bet of the day has to be Yorkindred Spirit at 9/2 in the intermediate handicap. This filly isn’t the easiest to follow, but she won a handicap maiden on this card last year (over 16 furlongs) and, on quicker ground, won well at Yarmouth last time over ten furlongs. As a daughter of Sea The Stars, out of a Gone West mare, Yorkindred Spirit can defy her three pound penalty on the projected Good-To-Firm ground and hold off the likes of Eutropius and King Of The Kelts. Mark Johnston and Franny Norton are expected to place here, at the very least, so take a good price whilst you can. Yorkindred Spirit (E/W if 9/2+)
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