Bob’s just the job to make a winning return at Stratford

DAVID Maxwell’s Bob And Co was a beaten favourite in the Pertemps Network Stratford Foxhunters Champion Hunters’ Chase 12 months ago but can make amends today.

Last season he had been to Punchestown and was maybe feeling the effects of that, but Bob And Co has not run since falling at Cheltenham in March so should be fresher in today’s run.

John Quinn’s Breege can book her Royal Ascot ticket by maintaining her unbeaten record in the EBF Stallions VW Van Centre (West Yorkshire) Ltd Youngsters Conditions Stakes at Pontefract.

Officials at the West Yorkshire track will likely be disappointed that only four go to post for the £25,000 contest from a big initial entry, but three of them are previous winners and the other is a 50,000 guineas purchase by Free Eagle.

So the race will take plenty of winning, but Breege, a daughter of Australian speedster Starspangledbanner, looked a good deal above average when making a winning debut at Wetherby.

Taking on David Loughnane’s Commander Straker, second at Newbury on debut, Breege looked in a different league, winning by more than five lengths. To add credence to the form, Commander Straker went and easily won next time out.

It is certainly no walkover as Karl Burke’s Miss Jungle Cat won well at Musselburgh first time out and Richard Fahey’s Rousing Encore progressed markedly from his debut to win at Beverley but Breege just could have a bit of star quality about her.

Thunder Cat generated a bit of talk before his debut at York recently as he was the first of Roaring Lion’s progeny to hit the track.

He was absolutely taken off his feet in the early stages, which perhaps was not surprising over six furlongs, a problem compounded by a slow start. But he finished strongly to end fifth of the 12 runners, behind a Royal Ascotbound winner in Queen Olly.

Andrew Balding has not taken things easy with him as the Sockshop EBF Novice Stakes at Haydock looks to have attracted some nice youngsters, but his experience can stand him in good stead.

Mark and Charlie Johnston’s Queen Of Deauville really caught the eye when winning on her debut at Carlisle and she returns to the Cumbrian venue for the Whinnow EBF Novice Stakes.

The Showcasing filly looks sure to improve with racing.