Marvellous prospects in Rous Stakes

Tis Marvellous can make the most of a return to Listed company in the rescheduled Rous Stakes at Nottingham tomorrow.

The five-furlong event was due to be run at Ascot at the start of the month, but a few days delay should not prove any bar to success for Clive Cox’s admirable sprinter.

Now a six-year-old, the Harbour Watch gelding has done Cox proud over five seasons, winning a Group Two as a juvenile and being good enough to contest the Commonwealth Cup at three, and while he has fallen down the ranks a bit from there, he remains a sharp operator at the right level. He turned in some excellent handicap efforts in 2019 and there was no shame in finishing just over three lengths back in fourth behind Battaash at Royal Ascot on his seasonal bow.

Tis Marvellous has just found Group Threes a shade beyond him though, most recently when beaten a length at Newbury when he got going just a little too late to reel in the winner. This Listed heat should be right up his street a n d a l l g rou n d s e e m i n g l y comes alike to him.

Vulcan is another runner in excellent heart ahead of the Follow At mansionbet On Twitter Handicap.

The three-year-old has turned a corner in the latter half of the summer, with a couple of near misses followed by two wins on easy ground at Haydock.

Successful over a mile in early September, Vulcan then stepped up to an extended 10 furlongs and ran out an impressive seven-length winner. The manner of that victory has resulted in an 11lb hike in the ratings, but the ease of his win suggests Vulcan could still have a bit up his sleeve.

Vulcan is clearly on an upward curve, a comment that also applies to Urban Artist, who tackles Listed competition at Bath. Hughie Morrison’s runner has struck at that level in a bumper, and while this is a different test the fiveyear-old looks worth a try after three successive wins.

Her most recent victory at Newmarket in a class two handicap demonstrated her stamina as she finished with real purpose over 12 furlongs to confirm previous Goodwood form with the runnerup, Ice Sprite.

Switching up to 14 furlongs should be in her favour and while she has a bit to find with a few of her rivals in the British Stallion Studs EBF Beckford Stakes, Urban Artist can rise to the challenge.

Moment Of Silence is an intriguing contender as she returns from a lengthy layoff in the Try Our New Super

Boosts At Unibet Handicap at Kempton. A conditions race winner at Wolverhampton last year, Moment Of Silence then headed out to Dubai where she posted a fair third behind Roulston Scar on her only outing at Meydan.