JACOBS’ Crackers

SUNDAY SERVICE I HAVE been waiting for TAJ MAHAL to step back up to 10 furlongs on decent ground and the Galileo colt can land the nap in the 4.05 at Gowran Park now he is returned to a more suitable trip.

He looked devoid of pace last time out when second behind Orderofthegarter in the listed Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial but this set-up should suit him better and he gets the vote over Brutal.

It’s a cracking card at the Kilkenny track and we should also hit the mark with AUCKLAND (2.05) in the opener and SOMEHOW (3.35). The latter shaped nicely on her comeback in the Group Three Lodge Park Stud Stakes at Naas last month.

There are some nicely bred youngsters at Salisbury and the Exceed and Excel filly MOONWISE (2.30) can make a winning debut for Ralph Beckett (above).

Further down the card PLYMOUTH SOUND (4.30) could be the each-way play in the staying handicap having dropped to a reasonable mark and KNIGHT OF THE AIR (5.30) has course and distance winner Imperial Link to worry about most in the finale.

Bogsnog is worth a second look in the opener at Thirsk but he is a hard horse to predict so the well-drawn SAXON GOLD (2.15) gets the each-way call from a small yard making its mark at the moment. MOON OVER RIO (4.15) has plenty of time to get a sit in behind horses from his wide stall in the 4.15 and in a race with plenty of pace can outstay Rembrandt and Melabi.

THE WEEK AHEAD Saturday’s Qipco 2,000 Guineas has plenty of strength in depth and although Churchill could very well turn out to be another Aidan O’Brien super horse, I fancy a massive run from the Craven Stakes victor EMINENT. He outstayed his rivals in that trial and his devouring stride may see him get the better of the O’Brien team and Greenham winner Barney Roy.

HOT TO TROT Banksea may have won the Spring Cup at Newbury but GEORGE WILLIAM should have pushed him harder having got too far back under Pat Dobbs and this improved performer should win a nice handicap over a mile.

VINTAGE CLOUDS ran a fair race in the Scottish National finishing seventh but he just found the ground a bit lively.

A good to soft surface is his domain and off his current mark he could win a nice marathon chase next season.