Shenanigans can cause a stir with first listed win

Shenanigans has hit the bar a few times at Listed level but can finally prevail in the Tennent’s Lager British Stallion Studs EBF Rothesay Stakes at Ayr.

This 10-furlong contest is perhaps not the strongest of its type, but Shenanigans would be a worthy winner after posting another solid effort on her return last month.

Beaten just under three lengths in fourth at Kempton, she perhaps lacked a little for pace over a mile - but it was nevertheless a decent run.

Shenanigans’ previous attempt at a mile and a quarter yielded a second place on soft ground at Doncaster on her final outing in 2018, but the likely quick conditions this time could well be more up her street.

Roger Varian may have found a winnable event here.

The Newmarket stable should also be on the mark much closer to home, with Mubhij an eyecatching entrant in the Norwich Office Furniture Handicap at Yarmouth.

The four-year-old did not make it to the track as a juvenile - but he won one of his three outings last term, impressing with a businesslike verdict at Newcastle in June.

He then disappointed when only second as favourite on what turned out to be his final outing last July, with the son of Dark Angel undergoing a gelding operation over the winter.

Clearly, he has plenty of question marks after a long break and on his handicap bow, but Mubhij can rise to the occasion.

Path Of Thunder looked very much in need of his debut outing, and can take a step forward in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes.

A 375,000 guineas purchase from the breeze-ups in April, Path Of Thunder fluffed the start a bit and then raced green at Newmarket, giving himself little chance of making up lost ground.

He was certainly not disgraced for Charlie Appleby though, and normal progression would put him in the mix again.

Lexington Empire found his groove in the second part of last year - and after making a winning return in 2019, he can keep up the good work in Kempton’s 32Red Handicap.

After securing his first win last July, he either won or was placed on each of his four subsequent starts and was clearly in similar heart at Chelmsford in April when winning by four and a half lengths.

The handicapper has inflicted a 10lb rise for that win, but Lexington Empire looked to have plenty in hand and could still be ahead of the curve.