Get ready to back Beckett’s finest

RALPH Beckett’s two-year-olds have ended the season in fine form and he can notch another winner in the juvenile division with Brasca in the Extra Places At Totesport.com Novice Stakes at Chelmsford.

The Nathaniel colt holds an entry in the Derby, which admittedly looks a little fanciful based on the evidence seen to date so far.

Second of four on his only run, he was beaten quite comfortably by Mark Johnston’s Desert Friend, who has since defied a penalty at Kempton.

The irony will not be lost on Beckett that Brasca faces another Johnston youngster, Themaxwecan, who himself will try to carry a penalty to victory having beaten Beckett’s Skymax on his debut.

Beckett should have a decent line on what sort of mark Brasca will need to run to to beat Themaxwecan, and the fact he is happy to take him on must mean he feels he will come out on top.

Chitra has been on an upward curve in the last two months, winning three of her last five starts and finishing second in the other two.

She has gone up a total of 16lb for her efforts, but is clearly still on the upgrade.

The Daniel Kubler-trained filly can prove the point by putting her rivals to the sword in the Totepool Cashback At totepool.com Nursery Handicap.

Glendevon is the one to be with in the Irish Lotto At totesport.com Handicap for trainer Richard Hughes and jockey Jamie Spencer.

The three-year-old ran a nice race on his return from a 91-day break during which time he was gelded when second over this course and distance last month.

That was his first try at the 10-furlong trip and he goes handicapping now for the first time.

Sure to be sharper for the experience, it will be interesting to see how he goes, as he has some decent bits of form to his name.

Black Op can get his his career over fences off to a flying start in the KKA-Highpoint Beginners’ Chase at Newbury.

Trainer Tom George has been looking forward to sending the seven-year-old chasing following an excellent novice hurdling season last term, which he sealed with victory in a Grade One contest at Aintree in April.