PADDOCKS PATENT (WEDNESDAY)

15:20 Salisbury This nine-runner race looks more open than the market is suggesting by focussing on the David Simcock runner. Foresight could prove to be an improving three year old ahead of his mark by the way he got off the mark at Hamilton in July. However, the form looks questionable with a ten-race maiden finishing second and he took another two goes after to win. The 60-day absence looks to be in search of ground with cut in it with all his runs on good or softer. He could be ahead of his mark but he’s coming up against some tried and tested performers. One of them is Pettochside, who has been busy this campaign but looks to have relished ever minute of it. He hasn’t failed to finish out of the top three places in his last seven efforts, which is a testament to John Bridger, who has found the right opportunities and to the way he’s kept this seven year old sound. He was second off this mark at Goodwood last week under today’s pilot Josephine Gordon, the find of the season. That was a very good run and he arguably bumped into a three year old ahead of his mark and if running to that level once more will be in the reckoning. Fairway To Heaven can’t be ruled out. He’s ran in some of the big field sprint handicaps this season but hasn’t necessarily had the luck or possibly when you look at his wins doesn’t relish the hustle and bustle. His four career wins have been in field sizes between seven and ten runners, so that fits the bill for today’s race. He has form on good to soft, so might be hoping for some drying ground. If on a going day could get himself involved. Pettochside (E/W) 16:40 Nottingham A very competitive sprint handicap with 17-runners with the market opening at 8/1 the favourite. That favourite is Cool Bahamian for in-form trainer Eve Johnson Houghton. This five year old was a winner by a head at Newmarket last month and doesn’t look badly treated on the back of that success. Ed Greatrex is on board, as he has been on the last couple of starts, and he’s a good judge of fractions, so will know when to kick for home. With Guishan and Frenchman in the field they are likely to go forward and set the early fractions. Their pace could give Belledesert a nice tow into the race if Adam Beschizza can get her in a good position from the gate. She won both of her starts in August, including one over course and distance before running with credit when fourth at York last month off this mark, so could have more to offer. Ambitious Icarus is likely to be running on late in the race and might hit the frame but he does have course and distance form plus he does look well weighted. Ancient Astronaut is of interest with Silvestre de Sousa back on board on this sort of ground. Not too badly treated and ran his race at Carlisle last time off this mark. Drawn in the middle could give de Sousa a few options to find the best ground for this son of Kodiac. Belledesert (E/W) 16:45 Sligo This 3m Chase only has five runners and it looks like the perfect opportunity for Sizing Coal to start his season in style. Jim Dreaper’s eight year old was third in last year’s Irish National and you’d expect the big staying chases to be his target once more with plenty of stamina to boot. He’ll relish this sort of ground and the return to this trip could bring out the best of him on his reappearance. He has the strongest form in the book and if running up to his Irish National third or last effort then he should take the honours. Another Rebel looks to be the obvious danger and he is also returning from an absence. Michael Winters’ nine year old has won when fresh before after being victorious when off a near three-year break. He has had his problems, so is still unexposed over the larger obstacles and being a son of Croco Rouge you’d expect him to take to the them. The three other runners have work to do to. Getoutwhenyoucan is 0-4 over fences and tends to need a run when returning from a break. He shouldn’t mind the ground having won on it before but he has to prove his stamina and there are similar concerns with Mic Milano. Sizing Coal (WIN)