Hope springs eternal at Pontefract
DAWN OF HOPE can make the most of a drop in class to take the Weatherbys General Stud Book Online Pipalong Stakes at Pontefract.
The Roger Varian-trained filly was a one-time Classic hopeful in her younger days, and while that did not work out she has kept pretty good company throughout her career and generally not been disgraced.
A case in point was her latest run, where she was seventh in a red-hot running of the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot, finishing four and a half lengths behind top-class winner Qemah.
This is significantly easier on paper at least - and it is hard to see her not being involved at the finish, particularly as Varian has his string in good order at the moment.
Avon Breeze is the pick in the King Richard III Handicap.
Richard Whitaker’s mare belied a lengthy absence to win over the course and distance little over a week ago and although the official winning margin was only half a length, it was an authoritative display.
As she is currently in foal to Equiano and will have to stop racing next month, time is of the essence and it is no surprise to see her turned out quickly under the penalty.
She is clearly thriving and another bold bid looks assured.
It would be nice to see John Quinn with another good Flat performer and he might just have one in the shape of Shaheen, who goes in the opening Dianne Nursery Handicap
A keeping-on mid-division finish on his first start behind subsequent Coventry Stakes hero Rajasinghe hinted at ability and indeed he improved a few places at Ripon, before making no mistake last time out at Redcar.
Making all, he found something when asked and there is no reason to suggest he cannot continue on the upgrade.
Jazirat can confirm debut promise and open his account in the Call Star Sports On 08000 521321 Novice Stakes at Brighton.
Charlie Appleby’s youngster is bred for the job as a fullbrother to the high-class Birchwood, but has presumably had issues given he was gelded prior to his debut at Leicester and wore a hood.
Whether it was inexperience or waywardness, he looked all at sea early on, but the way he came home to finish third suggested he has at least some of his sibling’s ability.
That run should have sharpened his mind sufficiently to win what does not look a great race on paper.
The David Lanigan-trained Wapping looks well placed to complete a hat-trick in the Bend It Like Bishops Handicap.
The daughter of Smart Strike has carried the colours of Lord and Lady Lloyd Webber to recent victories at Bath and over this course and distance and a 2lb hike for his latest success looks generous.
Appleby is also likely to be on the mark on the all-weather at Wolverhampton, with Glittering Jewel looking a cut above her rivals in the Follow At The Races On Instagram Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.
The American-bred filly ran a really encouraging race on her Newmarket debut before finding only subsequent Ribblesdale runner-up Mori too strong at Ascot.