Game set and match
SUMMER jumps racing is the order of the day and it may be worth taking a chance on Game Line as he attempts to win back-to-back runnings of the Snellings Norfolk National Handicap Chase at Fakenham.
Peter Bowen’s eight-yearold has failed to trouble the judge since his seven-and-ahalf-length win in this race 12 months ago, but that has meant the 10lb rise he was handed for that victory has been erased and he arrives back in Norfolk off the same winning mark of 110.
That alerts the attention ahead of a bold bid and conditions look perfect for this sure stayer who has not been seen since mid-March and always performs with zest following a break.
Good ground could be the key to Cartonne opening his account at Sedgefield in the Follow Vickers.bet On Facebook Novices’ Hurdle.
Donald McCain and Brian Hughes will be hoping to follow up when Geromino attempts to carry top weight to victory in the Family Salter Celebrates Niamh Ringing The Bell Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.
Sedgefield has proved to be a happy hunting ground for the trainer/jockey combination in recent years and this six-year-old looked poised to make it two from two over the larger obstacles before a momentum-halting blunder at the second last at Carlisle most recently.
Also in the north east, do not be surprised to see Philip Kirby’s Green Oaks Top Cat follow up her Musselburgh victory under a penalty.
At Ayr, meanwhile, Exit To Where has been running with credit of late and has a chance of back-to-back victories in the three-mile Book Summer Saturday On 18 June Handicap Chase off a mark just 1lb higher than 12 months ago.
The season in Ireland may have finished at the weekend but there is no rest for Gordon Elliott who is well represented in Scotland.
He runs both Ted Hastings and Showbusiness in the opening Book Summer Racenight With Gok Wan Maiden Hurdle with preference for the latter.
He has a string of placed efforts next to his name and while it could be argued that he is becoming a little frustrating, this event looks like the easiest task he has faced to date.
At Wetherby, Tracey Waggott’s Ghathanfar has a fine chance of building on his nose defeat at Thirsk in the Follow @racingtv On Twitter Handicap.
The six-year-old must carry top weight but that is deserved given how well he ran last time out.
He has surprisingly been dropped another 2lb and is beginning to look dangerously well treated.
The opening Racingtv.com Maiden Stakes sees three juveniles who finished second on their debuts taking each other on.
Despite being beaten six lengths Hugo Palmer’s Machito is fancied to take a big leap forward.
He will be suited by the fact this race is over five and a half furlongs.