Dashing to success at Nottingham

– Very Dashing can build on a decent start today for Ralph Beckett by winning the feature British EBF totepool Nottinghamshire Oaks Stakes at Nottingham.

This four-year-old was previously trained by Luca Cumani, winning one of her six starts for the Newmarket handler and performing creditably when fourth behind Chain Of Daisies in a Listed race at Salisbury last summer.

However, connections decided to switch her to Beckett’s care this term and he opted to stay at Listed level by tackling the Magnolia Stakes at Kempton on her reappearance last month.

Taking on some race-fit rivals, Very Dashing tried to win it from the front but found herself swamped just at the line, although the form has worked out pretty well since.

London

The winner, Absolute Blast, went on to finish second in the Easter Classic on All-Weather Finals Day, while third-placed Sovereign Debt lifted the Mile division that day and has since claimed Group 2 glory at Sandown.

Beaten a total of a length in fourth, Very Dashing should make some progress for that outing and a repeat of the form would certainly see her in the mix.

Jane Chapple-Hyam has some big plans for Kaspersky and he is the one to watch despite having to shoulder top weight in the totepool Racecourse Debit Card Betting Available Handicap.

The six-year-old is due to tackle the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot next month, with the end goal being a trip to Australia in the autumn.

Kaspersky sits on a perch of 109 and that rating is certainly not undeserved as he has Group race successes in Germany and Italy under his belt already and has also been placed at Group 1 level.

Recruited by Chapple-Hyam from Italy, he looked thoroughly in need of the outing when fifth at Ascot last month and it should have provided his team with a good sighter.

He has a bit to find with the reopposing Algaith but Kaspersky is a fine stamp of horse who will certainly progress with each run.

Eula Varner steps into handicap company for the first time in the EBF totequadpot Insure Your Placepot Last Four Fillies’ Handicap. Placed on two of her three maiden starts, an opening mark of 67 looks highly workable. –