Bank on Brave at Haydock
MOUNTAIN BRAVE can continue the tremendous form of the Mark Johnston yard since the resumption of racing with victory in the Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap at Haydock.
This three-year-old Sepoy filly did her bit for the Middleham operation earlier in the year and was last seen bagging back-to-back wins at Newcastle and Wolverhampton in February.
She has only lined up on all-weather surfaces so far, but clearly has plenty of ability and was an authoritative winner when she last ran. It is very unlikely we have seen the limit of her ability just yet.
Astro Jakk is another who has done well on the all-weather but should not be ignored back on turf in the Betway Handicap.
Karl Burke’s charge also looked to be improving before racing was brought to halt, going in quite tidily at Southwell.
That was a return to winning ways, after he was beaten at Newcastle in a bid to strike quickly at Gosforth Park after being successful there 24 hours earlier.
There looks to be more to come and a 3lb rise for Southwell might not be enough to stop his progression.
Talking of Team Johnston, a number of Royal Ascot prospects have already emerged from their North Yorkshire base and it would be no surprise at all if Golden Flame added his name to the list in the Read Andrew Balding On Betway Insider EBF Maiden Stakes.
Portugueseprincess is one of those to be with at Chelmsford, where she goes in the Bannister Green Novice Median Auction Stakes.
Archie Watson’s filly dominated when getting to the lead at Lingfield last time and with just two runs to her name it will be surprising if she does not have more to offer.
Similar comments apply to Sacred Dance in the Cock Green Fillies’ Handicap.
Representing the Charlie Appleby yard, the daughter of Sea The Stars looked a filly heading for good things at Doncaster in June, but has been off the track since.
She had been all sorts of inexperienced at Haydock prior to that and if she is fit enough to do herself justice, it will take a fair effort to lower her colours. A crack at something bigger and better could easily be on the agenda if all goes well.