Roar this one home to glory at Redcar
Hear Me Roar can give his supporters something to shout about again at Redcar tomorrow in the Sky Bet Extra Places Every Day Handicap.
Michael Dods’ three-yearold put up a much-improved effort as a course-and-distance winner last month, on his first start since November.
Hear Me Roar took the measure of a consistent and well-backed opponent that day, and returns exactly a month later in search of a repeat performance.
He has already proved himself in the anticipated conditions, winning with authority in the style of a progressive horse on good to firm ground last time.
In the circumstances, a 5lb rise in the ratings appears far from punitive, and it will be no surprise to see him follow up his breakthrough victory.
Orchid Rose is still seeking her first win after seven starts – but she was beaten only a length at long odds last time, and may be able to break her duck in the Racing TV Handicap.
Andrew Crook’s daughter of Mehmas has run her best races to date on a sound surface, so this weekend’s forecast sunshine can only help.
She is up 2lb for her improved effort back at this minimum trip at Ripon a month ago – and although that form has yet to be augmented by the two who finished in front of her, it was a step in the right direction which puts her in the mix at this modest level.
The jumpers are in action at Sunday’s two other British fixtures – and there could well be an Irish angle at both Stratford and Newton Abbot.
In Devon, the eye is drawn to Blaze A Trail on his first start since joining John Flint’s Bridgend yard from Liz Doyle in County Wexford.
The seven-year-old is all set for his British debut in the Happy Birthday Cath King Handicap Chase, with Nick Shol field booked to ride.
Blaze A Trail was no worldbeater in Ireland, with just two victories from his 15 appearances under rules.
But he starts his new job in very feasible company and, on the best of his form at up to just short of this trip, he should be very competitive.
Miss Antipova has yet to win a race after 13 attempts but still has persuasive credentials in the Happy 60th Birthday Gill White Mares’ Handicap Chase.
She represents the bang in-form yard of Martin Keighley, which is recommendation in itself.
There was also clear improvement when she was beaten under five lengths in third at Worcester last month. She has, however, surprisingly been dropped 1lb for that performance – to a chase rating 11lb below her hurdles mark – and kept on well enough to suggest this move up another three furlongs in trip should be to her liking.