GREAT EXPECTATIONS!

Great And Small should appreciate the step up in trip as she tackles the TRM Invest In Calphormin Fillies’ Handicap at Newmarket tomorrow.

As a half-sister to Ascot Gold Cup winner Fame And Glory, it is hardly surprising that this Galileo filly has only really started to come into her own since being stepped up to a mile and a half.

She finished well down the field on her only juvenile start over a mile last December and again found her rivals far too speedy when tried over 10 furlongs at Salisbury on her return in June.

Andrew Balding opted to take the jump up to 12 furlongs last time though and despite looking a bit green in the early stages, she stayed on from last place to take a head victory in what was a very taking performance.

Her rider took a fair while to pull her up that day so clearly an extra furlong here will not be an issue and she looks the kind of filly who will thrive over real staying trips in the future.

Vanity Queen is the pick in the TRM GNF (Gut Nutrition Formula) Nursery Handicap after overcoming her inexperience to win at Nottingham last time out.

Magical Effect can mark himself as a lively contender for next month’s Western meeting at Ayr by landing the Theakston Lightfoot Handicap at Thirsk.

His current rating of 77 would see him struggle to make the Ayr Gold Cup itself, but Ruth Carr has a few weeks to get to work on that issue, starting with this six-furlong affair.

He is taken to defy this career-high mark and looks the type who can go on again too.

Lord Yeats was perhaps a bit unlucky at Ascot last time, but compensation awaits in the Ladbrokes Lanark Silver Bell Handicap at Hamilton.