3 minute read
Teumessias Fox could be the one to catapult his way into Classic contention when he goes for glory in the Cazoo Blue Riband Trial at Epsom.
Andrew Balding won the Listed race with Goldoni in 2012 and could mark the 10-year anniversary of that success by taking the prize home once again with this son of Lope De Vega, who made it third time lucky at Newcastle last month.
Having finished third over seven furlongs in his opening two outings, he took the step up to 10 furlongs in his stride at Gosforth Park, shedding his maiden tag with an imperious eight-and-a-half-length victory.
There should be much more to come at the distance from this 230,000 guineas yearling and he is well capable of upsetting some of the bigger names in opposition in this contest.
Balding could have further success with the hat-trick-seeking Secret Shadow, who looks to give the Kingsclere handler back-to-back victories in the Great Metropolitan Handicap, while his Schmilsson produced some encouraging efforts as a two-year-old and has a great chance of scoring on reappearance in the Spring Meeting Novice Stakes.
Speed will be key in the Indigenous Handicap that opens proceedings at Epsom and it will be interesting to see if Recon Mission can repeat the dose of his victory last year and make all from a 1lb lower rating.
Tony Coyle's speedster has failed to land a blow in two outings so far this term, but won two of his three starts at this track last season.
King Francis returned from nearly a year off to make a winning debut for Michael Bell at Kempton and looks to translate that all-weather form to turf in Yarmouth's Quinnbet Daily Free Bet Handicap.
In the Quinnbet Second To The Favourite Novice Stakes it could be Security Code who is the day's star attraction in Norfolk.
John Gosden has won this with Without Parole (2018) and King Of Comedy (2019) in recent years and this Dante entry did little wrong when making a winning debut at Wolverhampton. It would be no surprise to see the Territories colt enhance the Clarehaven record in the race.
On all-weather duty at Wolverhampton is William Haggas' Vintage Choice, who saw the form of his Redcar victory in September franked in good style by the second at Newmarket recently. The 310,000 guineas buy looks a smart prospect and sterner tests surely lie ahead if successful in the Cazoo Novice Stakes at Dunstall Park.
It is hard to oppose Kevin Ryan's Spiritofthenorth in Sedgefield's Cazoo Search Drive Smile Handicap Hurdle following his bloodless victory at Wetherby last time.
The dual-purpose performer made every yard when recording an unchallenged 32-length success on that occasion and is backed to strike while the iron is hot back in handicap company.
Nietzsche could take advantage of an outing in calmer waters to land the Join Our Bet Club At vickers.bet Handicap Chase for Brian Ellison. A winner in Listed company at this stage of the season last year, he is down to a mark of 119 and could be thrown in on the best of his form.
Imperial Merlin found just the well-backed favourite too good at Wetherby on debut and could be another to thrive in the north east in the concluding Free Replays On attheraces.com Open National Hunt Flat Race.
A half-brother to Secret Investor, he was a huge eyecatcher at the West Yorkshire track and can get off the mark at the second time of asking.
SELECTIONS:
EPSOM: 1.50 Recon Mission, 2.20 Teumessias Fox, 2.55 Soto Sizzler, 3.30 Secret Shadow, 4.00 Schmilsson, 4.30 New Pursuit.
SEDGEFIELD: 1.05 Gold Miner, 1.40 Costly Diamond, 2.10 Spiritofthenorth, 2.45 Nietzsche, 3.20 Dis Donc, 3.50 Hurricane Dylan, 4.20 Monbeg Chit Chat, 4.55 IMPERIAL MERLIN (NAP).
WOLVERHAMPTON: 5.00 City Wanderer, 5.35 Amazing Amaya, 6.05 Pearl Beach, 6.35 Lady Labelle, 7.05 Mellys Flyer, 7.35 Vintage Choice, 8.05 Twilight Revenge.
WORCESTER: 4.50 Princess Midnight, 5.20 Juniper, 5.50 Horizon Dove, 6.20 Halifax, 6.50 Iron Bridge, 7.20 Earth Business, 7.50 Wetanwindy.
YARMOUTH: 2.30 Goddess Of Fire, 3.05 Jungle Time, 3.40 King Francis, 4.10 Franklin William, 4.40 Security Code, 5.10 Najat, 5.40 Silver Dollar.
DOUBLE: Imperial Merlin and Vintage Choice.
