Our star columnist has runners at Thirsk, Haydock, Ascot and Wolverhampton on Saturday. Check out his thoughts on them all.
13:50 Haydock - Gabrials Boy
He broke his maiden at Ripon last time and makes his handicap debut in a warm race here. Sean Davis takes three pounds off and hopefully the step up in trip will suit too. I’m looking forward to seeing him in action.
13:55 Thirsk - G For Gabrial
He won at Beverley a couple of starts ago and I just hope this track isn’t too sharp for him as he’s a colt who stays very well.
13:55 Thirsk - International Lion
He ran well to finish third in a Nottingham nursery last time and is horse who has just taken a little while to get the hang of things. He’s improving and I’d be hoping for a big run here.
14:30 Thirsk - Internationaltiger
I think this colt can go well too. He wasn’t beaten far when fifth at Leicester last time and is another who is improving with his racing.
14:45 Ascot - Ventura Ocean
He seems in good form and has been running well all season. Seven furlongs is his optimum trip and while this is very competitive, he’d have an each-way chance.
15:05 Thirsk - Viceregent
He’s another work in progress but ran well on debut at York and then bumped into a smart one at Carlisle next time. He’s in what might be a warm heat here though.
15:05 Thirsk - Heyday
She’s a homebred filly who belongs to Lady Halifax. She’s quite laidback at home and this debut run won’t be lost on her. She’ll learn plenty.
15:40 Thirsk - Paddy Power
He’s a horse who needs everything to fall right in that he wants loads of cover and then to find trouble in running. If he gets both, he’s capable on his day as we’ve seen this year.
15:40 Thirsk - Lucky Lucky Man
He’s a horse who’s been in the grip of the handicapper. Hopefully he’ll run a good race but he might need a bit more help form the assessor.
15:40 Thirsk - Stewardess
She’s been disappointing on her last two starts here and at Newmarket. She needs to bounce right back but is capable of running well in a race like this when on her A Game.
16:15 Thirsk - Irreverent
He’s a horse we like a lot. He’s been a little disappointing the last twice but I’d be very hopeful of a big run here as he’s still going well at home.
16:45 Haydock - Powerallied
He won at Chester last week and Marwan Koukash loves runners there – and here. He’s three pounds higher than his last start but heads to Haydock in good form and he’ll handle the ground.
16:50 Thirsk - Zip Along
It’s her first run of the season and she’s a filly we do like. She should run well despite top weight but is sure to come on for the outing too.
16:50 Thirsk - Dance Diva
She’s in really good form and probably just found the ground a bit quick for her at the York Ebor Meeting. I’d be hopeful of a big run from her.
16:50 Thirsk - Starlight Romance
She’s a consistent filly who always gives her best but is probably in the grip of the handicapper right now. She needs a bit of help.
17:20 Haydock - Salam Zayed
He’s enjoying a good season and was back to form when second at Ripon last week. He looks to hold an each-way chance again.
17:20 Haydock - Zip
He’s been running well all summer without getting his head in front and we’re sticking a visor on for the first time here to try and help him concentrate a little more. He’ll go well if it does.
17:25 Thirsk - Claire Underwood
She’s done us proud this season and tries hard but she’s another who the handicapper has exactly where he wants right now.
18:30 Wolverhampton - Moon Of Love
Her temperament has been getting the better of her a bit so we’re dropping her down in grade and putting a hood on for the first time here. If they work the oracle and she does everything right she’ll take all the beating.
19:00 Wolverhampton - You're My Rock
This is his first run in a nursery and we think he could be competitive from a mark of 73.
20:30 Wolverhampton - Gunnison
He got his head in front at Thirsk last time after it had taken a while for the penny to drop with his horse. Hopefully he can go forward again after that confidence booster.
