Catching Pigeons gossip column for the weekend

2.30 York - Caradoc

Caradoc can step up on his promising comeback effort and win the John Smith’s Cup for Ed Walker at York on Saturday. A progressive middle-distance performer in a relatively light season last term, he looks the type to improve again after that eye-catching performance behind Sky Defender at Epsom two weeks ago. The undulations did not appear to aid the son of Camelot but he did manage to finish the race strongly and this more straightforward ten furlongs should suit him much better.

1.20 York - El Ray

Kevin Ryan loves to target York and faces a busy weekend with fancied runners on the Knavesmire and at Newbury. Although Ancient Times could set the ball rolling in the weakly contested opener at York, the very well bred three-year-old debutant El Ray should also be noted later on the card.

A full-brother to last season's Irish 2000 Guineas winner Phoenix Of Spain he has, like his illustrious relative, had a few frustrations to deal with during his formative years. However he has been working nicely and should give the more experienced and fancied opposition plenty to think about.

4.00 Newbury - Repartee

Repartee, a stablemate of El Ray, can take advantage of the five pounds he receives from the highly-rated Tabdeed in the Group Three Bet365 Hackwood Stakes at Newbury.

The Ryan team think very highly of this son of Invincible Spirit and he earned this return to Group level with an emphatic success in what was, admittedly, a low-key Listed event at Windsor on his reappearance. His work since that success has been of a very high standard and his trainer should know exactly where he stands with the high-class speedsters like Hello Youmzain, Brando and Major Jumbo in the yard.

12.30 Newbury - Cosmic Princess

Hughie Morrison's Cosmic Princess should go well at a decent price in the Bet 365 Fillies Novice Stakes. There was plenty to like about her only outing at two at Kempton last autumn when she came from a long way back to finish sixth in a novice over seven furlongs. Her breeding suggests she will be much better suited by this more demanding test of stamina.

1.05 Newbury - Longlai

Longlai has come on a good deal for his slightly disappointing debut effort at Doncaster and merits serious consideration in the Bet365 Novice Stakes. Richard Hannon has a very high opinion of this son of Shalaa, who ruined his chance by ducking left at the start on his first, before running green in the closing stages. He should know much more of what is required this time.

5.00 Newbury - Casual Reply

Casual Reply looks nicely weighted on the best of her three-year-old form and looks worth an interest in division two of the Each Way Extra At bet365 Handicap. A backward type who has been restricted to three back-end outings on the all weather so far, she looks open to plenty of improvement this season and does not look too highly tried here.

2.50 Newbury Sunday - Get It

Get It has produced two very good performances so far and should take plenty of beating in the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury on Sunday.

A good second to Eye Of Heaven on his debut at Newmarket, he produced another solid effort behind Tactical in the listed Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. The form of that race has worked out very well and that touch of class should stand him in good stead in what is always a tough race to win. The Ryan-trained Tinochio is another fancied to take a hand in the finish.

1,05 Newbury Sunday - Verbena

Clive Cox loves to be represented in the juvenile maidens and novices at his local course and Verbena has shown enough in her preliminary work to suggest a bold show in the opening Price Promise At bet365 Fillies' Novice Stakes . She has shown plenty of zest on the gallops and should go close in a race which has cut up significantly from the five day stage.

4.30 Newbury Sunday - Kepala

Kepala is developing into a very useful young stayer and she can follow up her emphatic first success at Newmarket 22 days ago in the British Stallion Studs EBF/bet365 Fillies' Handicap .

Eve Johnson Houghton's three year old gave every impression by her strong finish at the end of the mile-and-a-half that she would be suited by this step up in trip and she remains on a very workable mark.

12.15 York Sunday - Ridgeway Avenue

James Ferguson has made a bright start to his training career, and he saddles an interesting juvenile, Ridgeway Avenue, in the opening Read Nick Luck's Blog At news.williamhill.com EBF Novice Median Auction Stakes at York.

There were many happy faces after this colt's stablemate Francesco Guadi went in at decent odds on debut at Salisbury last weekend and it wouldn't be a surprise to see this son of Kitten's Joy give the very well fancied Crisford representative, Jadoomi, plenty to think about.

Responsible gambling

We are committed in our support of responsible gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, or visit begambleaware.org.

Further support and information can be found at GamCare and gamblingtherapy.org.