'We’ve improved her 28lb' - can Pogson mare maintain unbeaten record for new yard and complete a four-timer?
Punting pointers from each of today's race meetings . . .
Dundalk: can course stalwart strike again?
San Andreas has a superb record at Dundalk having won six races, finished runner-up in six and third in four at the all-weather track.
The eight-year-old has finished out of the frame on just seven of his 23 starts at the course and returns to his favourite hunting ground after three lacklustre efforts on the turf in which he failed to beat a rival.
Joseph O’Brien’s gelding should be much more at home back on a synthetic surface and the son of Dark Angel is rated 9lb lower than his last start in handicap company here in December last year.
Given he was capable of finishing third behind the 110-rated Piz Badile in Listed company over course and distance, San Andreas may be able to give weight and a beating to his six rivals in the 1m2½f handicap (5.45) off a mark of 93, with Hugh Horgan claiming 5lb.
Fakenham: super Skelton
All three of Dan Skelton's runners at Fakenham this season have won and the trainer is represented by Ronnies Rules (2.00), Omaha Wish (3.10) and Bahtiyar (4.20) as he bids to maintain his unbeaten record.
Fakenham: Rouge aims for four-timer
Callin Baton Rouge has been a revelation since being claimed for £6,000 by Charles and Adam Pogson after finishing runner-up in a seller at Cartmel in May.
The six-year-old had been winless in 12 starts for Warren Greatrex before following up her successful stable debut for the Pogsons at Uttoxeter with victories at Market Rasen and Stratford.
Ahead of her four-timer bid in Fakenham’s 2m4f handicap hurdle (3.45), Adam Pogson said: “We’ve improved her 28lb and she’s improved again since her last run at home.
“We turn them out and ride them out every other day, and mares really enjoy that way of training. Doing less with her and a change of scenery has helped.
“I’d been watching her through the winter and knew she didn’t want that sort of ground. When we got her, I thought she’ll be alright on good ground and that’s proven to be right.”
Haydock: Nallen helps nephew in time of need
John Nallen is doing everything he can to help his nephew Sean Dylan Bowen’s bid to be champion apprentice.
The Clonmel-based Nallen only had his first Flat runners in Britain last month and he sends three more to Haydock on the penultimate day of the apprentice jockeys’ championship.
Bowen would only have one ride on the card compared to his title-chasing rival Joe Leavy’s four had his uncle not opted to run Minella Boss (1.45), Mercurial (4.05) and Firebrand (4.40).
Firebrand reappears just four days after getting off the mark at the tenth attempt in a Roscommon maiden. His presence in the mile handicap as well as Minella Boss and Mercurial, who were both second on their last starts, is a serious statement of intent from Nallen.
The trainer has saddled three winners from 27 runners on the Flat in Ireland this season.
Haydock: hot Haggas
William Haggas has saddled ten winners from 34 runners at Haydock this season for a level-stakes profit of £41.35. The trainer is represented by last-time-out winner Yabher (1.45) as well as handicap debutante Mamma Maria (2.55) at the track's final Flat fixture of the year.
Newcastle: can Something start streak?
Something has produced the best two performances of his career since reverting to the all-weather and being upped in trip.
After finishing fifth at Sandown last month, the three-year-old chased home Sectarius on his first start at Newcastle before going one better off 1lb higher at the same venue under Paul Mulrennan on Tuesday.
Trainer Jedd O’Keeffe understandably has his son of Golden Horn out again quickly at the same track and trip where he will attempt to follow up under a 6lb penalty in the 1m4½f handicap (5.00).
Given he was a well-supported 6-4 favourite who duly obliged by three lengths in good style, he is likely to be strong in the market again to continue his good course form, especially considering none of his seven rivals have experience winning at this track or distance.
Redcar: hat-trick bid
Alfa Whiteburd has been thriving on the all-weather recently, winning his last couple of starts at Newcastle and Southwell.
The three-year-old has yet to score on turf, but trainer Craig Lidster has placed him in Redcar’s 6f handicap (1.52) in the hope that the son of Cotai Glory’s wait for a grass victory can end at the ninth attempt.
He is officially 1lb well in under his 6lb penalty, having been upped 7lb for his two-and-a-quarter-length success over last-time-out winner Liosa last Thursday.
It is not as though Alfa Whiteburd has been running badly on the turf. He was fourth in the Brocklesby last year before chasing home subsequent York and Chantilly Listed winner Got To Love A Grey at Nottingham.
The three-year-old made the frame for the sixth time on turf when runner-up at Catterick last month and may be improving enough to complete a hat-trick here.
Uttoxeter: talented handicapper makes chasing debut
Ike Sport recorded some impressive wins over hurdles, most notably when landing Worcester’s Fixed Brush Series Final last year and a £35,000 event at Sandown’s season finale.
All 16 of the six-year-old’s starts have been over hurdles and he has top weight for his first start over fences (2.45).
“We’re looking forward to seeing how he gets on over fences,” said trainer Neil Mulholland.
“He’s not a massive, big chaser, but he seems to jump okay. He runs well fresh and it’s his first run of the season so hopefully it’s a nice clean round of jumping.”
Ike Sport’s opposition includes course-and-distance winner Resplendent Grey and Myretown, who bids to become the third successful chase debutant in three days for Lucinda Russell.
Autumn Return bids to back up last month’s narrow chasing-bow victory at Perth, while Grade 2 Cheltenham winner Malaita will need to improve on her sixth-placed effort when last seen in May.
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