NOW IS THE TIME TO BANK ON BLAINE
Blaine was just edged out on the line last time but compensation awaits in the Racing Post/SIS Betting Shop Manager Handicap at Doncaster tomorrow.
It is something of a surprise the six-year-old has only five wins to his credit so far, but given the nature of the big-field ultra-competitive sprints he contests, it perhaps makes a little more sense.
That said, he has proved capable enough on some of the bigger days, notably winning over six furlongs at Epsom’s Derby meeting back in June, while his run in the Ayr Silver Cup is better than it looks at first glance.
Indeed, he came close to notching a second win of the year at Haydock last week, defying his starting price of 33-1 when going down by just a short head after leading right up to the final stride.
The handicapper has subsequently nudged him up 2lb, but he remains some way short of his career best mark of 107 and can still prove competitive in what is a decent six-furlong heat.
Al Neksh boasts a fine record of three wins in five starts and can further enhance those statistics in the Free Spins At 188Bet Casino Handicap.
The Zoffany gelding has made great strides from his debut third back in May with victories at Haydock, Chester and most recently Yarmouth, where he atoned for a disappointing previous outing at Goodwood.
There had been excuses at Goodwood so it was no surprise to see him put that behind him with a comfortable Yarmouth verdict, looking as though he still had plenty left in the locker.
Al Neksh now races off a mark of 91 but appears more than capable of defying a 4lb rise.
Mirage Dancer can make a winning racecourse debut in the second division of the 188Bet British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes.
His dam, Heat Haze, was a dual Grade One winner in America and is a daughter of the great Hasili, while father Frankel needs no introduction, with this colt a representation of one of owner Khalid Abdullah’s most celebrated stud lines.
Commander is another son of Frankel who makes his first start in Division Two of the SIA Maiden Stakes at Newbury.
He is another who has a blue-chip pedigree as a half-brother to dual Group One winner Regal Parade and has a Derby entry.
Cloudberry is three from three this term and can continues his progression for Roger Charlton in the Tom’s Pies Handicap.
After winning a Bath maiden back in June, he has since bagged handicaps at Kempton and Sandown, with the latter victory particularly meritorious as he did not enjoy the smoothest of passages.
Shantou Village was a wide-margin winner on his fencing bow at Fontwell back in August and he can make his presence felt on the bigger stage in the Ryman Stationery Cheltenham Business Club Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham’s Showcase Meeting.
Pulled up in the Albert Bartlett at the Festival back in March, Shantou Village looked well drilled for his first attempt over fences, with his only errors at the final two fences appearing to be due to little more than a lapse in concentration.
His task was massively eased that day as the only one of his three rivals that looked capable of putting up a fight fell five fences from home, but Shantou Village nevertheless looked an excellent chase prospect.