Crystal Hope makes return to track action

Plenty to suggest three-yearold can chalk up another win at Salisbury

CRYSTAL HOPE cannot be ignored in the British Stallion Studs EBF Upavon Fillies’ Stakes at Salisbury.

Sir Michael Stoute’s three-year-old hasbeenoffthetracksincemay, butshe isthemostinterestinghorseinthisninerunner field.

The daughter of Nathaniel looked a potential top-notcher at Sandown in April when she surged three lengths clear in a hot novice fillies’ stakes that featured Musidora winner Give And Take.

But it was her run over a mile and a quarter at Newbury on May 19 which deserves even closer scrutiny.

Crystal Hope was perhaps unhinged by a soporific early gallop in a Listed race that was competed on rattling-fast ground, butshestillfinishedthirdasthe 2-1 favourite.

On the face of it, Stoute might have been a touch disappointed by that run, though subsequent events would suggest that was actually a pretty good effort.

The winner that day, Sea Of Class, is now a Classic heroine, while runner-up Athenaclaimedthegradeonebelmont Oaks in July.

Stoute’s inmate, a half-sister to Crystal Ocean, gets weight from all but two rivals in the Upavon Fillies’ Stakes, inaraceinwhichthree-year-oldshave a fine record.

And with Ryan Moore in the saddle, there is an awful lot to like about her chances of winning this before stepping up in class.

CRANTOCK BAY should not be too far away in the British EBF Molson Coors Novice Stakes.

George Scott’s young colt caught the eyeonhisdebutatascotinjulywhenhe flashed home for second place behind Production, beaten a neck.

That was a perfectly decent effort from the two-year-old son of Havana Gold, who was going nowhere quickly until the penny finally dropped at the death.

Tin Hat is the obvious danger in this six-furlong test, but Crantock Bay is in receipt from 3lb from that one and he could have a bit of a future.

Frankel colt HAMLUL jumps off the racecardahead ofhis handicapdebutat Beverley.

This 200,000 euro purchase has not yet set the racing world alight, but he has been found a very winnable opportunity on the Westwood. SELECTIONS

BEVERLEY: 2.00 Dancing Rave, 2.30 Kingson, 3.00 Jacbequick, 3.30 Hamlul, 4.00 Ideal Candy, 4.30 Moon Of Baroda, 5.00 Porchy Party.

SALISBURY: 2.10 Crantock Bay, 2.40Signorepiccolo, 3.10Corazonespinado, 3.40 CRYSTAL HOPE (NAP), 4.10 Tinos, 4.40 Burren View Lady.

DOUBLE: Crystalhopeandhamlul.