Daira Prince ready to reward loyal followers
Favourite backers had their fingers burned when Daira Prince was beaten at Yarmouth a fortnight ago, but he can reward those who keep the faith in the Thistleton Gap Handicap at Leicester.
Following three runs in maidens,rogervarian’sdubawi colt made his handicap debut at Yarmouth in June and although the winning margin was only a head, there was an air of authority about his performance.
He was the even-money market leader on his return to the seaside track last time out, but he did not seem as at home in the rain-softened ground and finished fourth, albeit only beaten just over a length.
Back on a sounder surface and with just three rivals to beat, Daira Prince looks difficult to oppose in the hands of Andrea Atzeni.
Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore can combine to land the EBF Stallions Breeding Winners Fillies’ Handicap with Parlance.
The Cheveley Park-owned filly suggested her turn was not far away when third on her latest outing at Newmarket three weeks ago.
The return to a quicker ground and the step up to seven furlongs should see her in a better light, and with just five runs under her belt in total, there is plenty of scope for improvement.
Dichato looks the best bet at Epsom’s evening fixture. The American-bred juvenile never threatened to land a blow on his Haydock debut in May, but has been beaten just half a length on each of his last two appearances, both on Newmarket’s July Course.helookssettoencounter the quickest ground he has since Haydock on Thursday and as a son of Scat Daddy, that should suit him ideally.
The ICON Meld Stakes is the main attraction at Leopardstown, with Group Three honours up for grabs.
Ken Condon’s stable stalwart Success Days has been running as well as ever this season and has a good chance of getting back on the winning trail. Jedd O’keeffe is targeting Hamilton Park today with a couple of raiders from his inform Middleham stable.
First up is recent Doncaster winner Metisian who faces six rivals in the Racing UK Club Day Here Today Handicap over 6f.
“We could do with some rain as we took him out at Ayr on Monday due to the ground,” O’keeffe said. “I’d say he has a pretty decent chance as he is a progressive three-year-old with hopefully more improvement still to come.”
Desert Ruler, his second runner, also takes on six opponents in the Welcome To Racing UK Club Members Handicap. O’keeffe added: “This new trip of 9f is a bit of an experiment as he’s been running over 7f and a mile. He’s been entered a few times over a mile and a quarter so this trip is a good starting point.
“Unlike Metisian he doesn’t like it too soft and his second at Wetherby a couple of months ago is starting to look very good form.”
In the other £12,000 event, The Racing UK Handicap, Mark Johnston saddles hattrick seeking Hochfield. After back-to back strikes at Chester, the gelding bids to give his trainer a fifth success in this 1m 5f contest.