Home in on House Deposit

TIPS: Weights hike should prove no hindrance

HOUSE DEPOSIT may prove an appropriate winner of the Stair Handicap at Ayr’s evening meeting after staying on strongly over this trip in second at Catterick at the start of the month.

Declan Carroll’s gelding has been put up a further 2lb but is still racing well below the rating he had this time last year.

MIA MENTO can prove she has learned how to win again in the Stanton Prior Handicap at Bath.

She has shown plenty of promise in three starts since arriving at Peter Chapple-hyam’s Newmarket yard, yet has found trouble in running too and not helped herself with two tardy starts.

That was the case again at Newmarket most recently when she was nonetheless beaten less than two lengths after finding her stride too late.

With that shared experience behind them, she and Andrea Atzeni ought to know more about each other and there is no doubt Mia Mento is up to winning in this decent grade.

It is frustrating that she has failed to add to her debut Leopardstown victory in 10 subsequent starts, but she has plenty of encouraging form in the book in both Britain and Ireland.

Atzeni fits the bill as the right partner to get her into a prominent position, and if so she should take some stopping.

In the opening Eston Handicap, SPUROFTHEMOMENT catches the eye.

Charlie Hills’ filly has been running consistently well and although unable to follow up under a penalty at Wolverhampton last time, she failed by only a nose when headed right on the post over a furlong further than this.

Atzeni is among the riders who have finished second on Rideson, who has so far achieved that feat on six of her seven racecourse appearances to date.

Roger Varian’s filly was third on her other attempt, and has been a beaten favourite six times.

A race record like that provides plenty of incentive to take her on again in the Karen Howell Maiden Stakes and SUN TIDE is the obvious alternative.

She too was second, on her only start to date, over this trip at Kempton last month, but running on well enough to suggest she should be winning soon.