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Todays bets:
Sandown 2.40
Hard to write any of these off but a chance is taken on Fantasy Gladiator who showed promise and progression in three A/W maidens at the end of last year. he is a blend of speed (Sire) and stamina (Dam's side) and he is likely to need all of this stiff five furlongs, and maybe further in time. His fitness has to be taken on trust but the yard have made a cracking start with the small string they have sent out on turf since the beginning of the season. Fantasy Gladiator has been handed an initial mark of 70 and, given the way his last Maiden has worked out and granted normal improvement, it looks a rating he can exploit. Bred to handle a bit of cut in the ground he is partnered by a jockey who turns up for his only booked ride of the day.
Selection FANTASY GLADIATOR. 1 point E/W @ 14/1 (Skybet)
York 2.50
This looks wide open and with pace across the track the draw may not play an important part. However the best of the early speed may be amongst those drawn high and that will suit Indian Skipper and possibly Admiral Dundas. Indian Skipper still looks to be slowly improving and he has gone close in both his races this season. He hung in the latter stages when losing out to Thunder Gorge last time out but that could be corrected by the first time blinkers today and he is fancied to reverse form with that rival.His Dam has produced a plethora of winners, amongst them Peace Angel who was transformed by blinkers. Stable in form and do well here. Topweight, Admiral Dundas, may have needed his reappearance last time out but comes into the reckoning on the form he was showing last Summer. His second in soft ground at Sandown in September came in a decent looking three year old handicap and the yard have booked a good five pound claimer. The stable are beginning to show signs of picking up and they have bagged three winners from just eleven entries at this track in recent seasons.
Selection INDIAN SKIPPER. 1 point win @ 12/1 (Blue Square and 888 Sport)
Selection ADMIRAL DUNDAS. 1 point win @ 10/1 (General) 2nd 8/1 :anger:
York 3.25
Hawk Mountain and Bollin Felix are two progressive individuals but at a much bigger price a chance is taken that Nemo Spirit will find the ground soft enough to give his true running. He was well behind Bollin Felix last time out at Haydock on good ground but he had been showing a much higher level of form on a forgiving surface prior to that. Both his victories have come in soft ground and he wouldn't be weighted out of this if he let's himself down under today's conditions. A four year old with only five races at this kind of trip under his belt he could be open to improvement this season. The yard have been amongst the winners in recent weeks and they send just the one on the trek north from their Lambourn base.
Selection NEMO SPIRIT. 1 point E/W @ 12/1 (General) 1st 8/1
Sandown 3.50
Selection PRIDE OF KINGS. 2 point win @ 6/1 (William Hill) 3rd 5/1 :(
Selection NIZHONI DANCER. 0.5 points E/W @ 25/1 (General)
Sandown 4.25
Two lengths behind Wintercast last time out but may have had a fitness disadvantage and it could be significant that connections are willing to renew rivalry. He proved very progressive in three Maidens last season and he is likely to strip fitter for that initial outing this season. The handicapper has him on a mark of 85 which could prove lenient given the way his last Maiden has been working out. He has yet to prove himself with cut in the ground but his Dam was, and is related to performers who were, decent class and his Sire handled softer conditions. Comes from an in form stable who do well at the track and have a godd strike with today's jockey.
Selection SHAMALI. 2 point win @ 15/2 (Sportingbet)
York 4.35
Selection GREEN PARK. 0.5 points E/W @ 20/1 (General) 3rd 22/1 ;D
Selection HAAJES. 0.5 points E/W @ 20/1 (Ladbrokes)
Chepstow 9.15
Approaching veteran status but he has been taking the eye in defeat recently and is now of definite interest now he reverts to, what looks, his best trip nowadays on a track where he is likely to give his best more than anywhere else. His strike rate of two wins from 45 turf races sounds a note of caution but he has been placed in seven out of his ten races on this track, winning once. His last win came under today's five pound claimer and his second in soft ground here over six furlongs in a much better race last July is a stand out piece of form, especially considering it came from twelve pounds out of the handicap.
Selection MILLFIELDS DREAM. 2 point win @ 13/2 (Paddy Power)