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17:30 Doncaster
Seven year old Dinkum Diamond stepped up to todays’ trip for the first time in his career at Leicester earlier this month and ran out a ready winner, beating the re-opposing Cordite (who finished third) by over four lengths. Although his last win prior to this was over eighteen months ago (in a listed contest here at Doncaster) the step up in trip really seemed to suit and he should be capable of following up off just a 3lbs higher mark.
The biggest danger looks likely to be Salateen who has his first run since moving to David O’Meara. A winner of a class two in July followed by a placed effort in listed company in July, he has won over course and distance and has made the frame in five out of seven runs over seven furlongs, winning three.
B Fifty Two ran a great race when second to Maljaa at Haydock last month but that was over five furlongs and his only previous attempt over todays’ trip saw him finish last and his lastest run saw him finish a disappointing sixteenth of twenty.
Highland Colori hasn’t won since October 2013 but that was over course and distance and is now 10lbs lower, although has shown little in recent runs to suggest that a return to the winners enclosure is coming anytime soon.
Dinkum Diamond (WIN)
18:05 Chelmsford
Its not often I would consider a class six nursery as a place to spend my money but today I make an exception as I thought Lourdes Lady ran a solid race last time out to beat Canford Belle, a previous winner, by a neck and finish almost two lengths clear of the remainder of the field. She is the only previous course winner in the field today and should be capable of building on her last victory if given a similar ride today.
The Burnham Mare was a winner last time out at Kempton over todays’ trip and looks the most likely to challenge my selection. This was her first win in ten attempts but was also her first attempt away from turf so has to be respected in her bid to follow up.
Of the remainder, High Speed is yet to get off the mark but Charlie Hills has a 33% strike rate in the last twelve months for top three finishes here so has to be considered as an each way option, while Eglantyne Dream could only manage fifth last time out (behind the aforementioned The Burnham Mare) but didn’t get the run of the race and is entitled to finish closer today.
Lourdes Lady (E/W if 9/2+)
19:10 Chelmsford
Saeed Bin Suroor boasts a 52% strike rate for his horses either winning or placing here at Chelmsford and tonight sends previous course and distance winner Lovely Memory to attempt to continue this trend. The three year old filly has only failed to make the frame in one of her four career runs (her first run) and, although only third in a class three last time out, she was within a length and a half of the winner and six lengths ahead of fourth.
Mont Ras has become a little disappointing in recent months but is a multiple winner over a mile and may respond well to the switch from turf, having previously won at Kempton in 2013, and cannot be completely ruled out.
Others to consider include Sir Robert Cheval who was a winner last time out but is raised 5lbs and had to wait almost two years since his only other career win so is not one to have the utmost of confidence in to follow up here, while Si Senor and Apostle are both previous distance winners and are capable of getting in the frame on their best form.
Lovely Memory (E/W if 9/2+)