3 minute read
Gracelands Girl will surely get off the mark in the WTW Prepare, Protect, Pioneer Restricted Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Musselburgh
To say Tim Easterby's charge has been knocking on the door would be an understatement, with a debut third followed by three successive runner-up finishes.
The daughter of Iffraaj looked well positioned to oblige on her latest attempt at Beverley, but was ultimately no match for Luckyboylovelywife, who has since disappointed at Kempton but did certainly not run her race.
A return to a mile in Scotland should be a help to Gracelands Girl and there are likely to be some long faces in the Easterby camp if she is unable to make the most of what looks a gilt-edged opportunity.
Isle Of Dreams should be followed in the Try Racing TV For Free Now Classified Stakes.
Declan Carroll's filly was a surprise winner at Catterick in April, but she has since proved that was no fluke with two sound efforts in defeat.
She was beaten just a nose in handicap company here in mid-May off 49 here in May and the handicapper left her on that mark, allowing her to run in this 0-50 contest.
With 5lb claimer Zak Wheatley keeping the ride, a bold bid is anticipated.
Thirsk punters are advised to put their faith in Craven in the opening British Stallion Studs EBF Restricted Novice Stakes.
The fact the Havana Gold colt was a 25-1 shot on his debut for the powerful Richard Fahey yard suggests he was not well fancied at York, but he outran those odds to finish second to hot favourite Cold Case.
The winner had already shown a good level of ability by finishing second to the high-class Carmela on his introduction at Carlisle, so for Craven to get within a length and a half of him on the Knavesmire was a fair effort.
He should have no trouble going one better in North Yorkshire.
The Michael Dods-trained Langholm can continue his profitable campaign with victory in the Celebrating Racing's Workforce Handicap.
The six-year-old won here in April and doubled his tally for the season at Catterick last month, taking him to a career-high rating of 68.
While the assessor is bound to catch up with Langholm eventually, there was a degree of authority about his latest triumph and he should prove hard to beat on a course that clearly suits.
Sheer Rocks is expected to make the most of having his sights lowered at Bath.
The three-year-old won at Chepstow and at this track to round off an unbeaten juvenile campaign, but a tilt at the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom on his return proved a bridge too far.
He was only beaten two lengths when staying-on to finish fifth in a hot handicap at Sandown last time, though, and might be too hot to handle for his older rivals in the Mike Ford Birthday Blaythwayt Plate.
Saeed bin Suroor's Dubai Welcome has already won once and finished second twice at Kempton and can give weight and a beating to his rivals on his return to Sunbury for the Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Handicap.
Jumping fare comes from Worcester, where a hat-trick could be in the offing for Neil Mulholland's Ballymilan in the Cazoo Handicap Chase.
SELECTIONS:
BATH: 5.20 Hot Hot Hot, 5.50 Sows, 6.20 Street Parade, 6.50 Sheer Rocks, 7.20 Zulu Tracker, 7.50 Miss Sligo, 8.20 Seven For A Pound.
KEMPTON: 5.30 Way To Amarillo, 6.00 Eternal Pearl, 6.30 Dubai Welcome, 7.00 Grey Fox, 7.30 Murau, 8.00 Masterclass, 8.30 Main Target.
MUSSELBURGH: 1.40 Georgiava, 2.10 GRACELANDS GIRL (NAP), 2.40 Bouncing Bobby, 3.15 Challet, 3.50 Far From A Ruby, 4.20 Rory, 4.55 Isle Of Dreams.
THIRSK: 1.20 Craven, 1.50 Jim's Cracker, 2.20 Breckland, 2.50 So Grateful, 3.25 Langholm, 4.00 Cairn Gorm, 4.30 Julia Augusta, 5.03 Amzaan.
TIPPERARY: 4.40 Chocquinto, 5.10 Ardad's Great, 5.40 Realtin Fantasy, 6.10 Hans Andersen, 6.40 Shanghai Dragon, 7.10 Deceit, 7.40 Matilda With Me, 8.10 Stay Local.
WORCESTER: 1.00 Ragamuffin, 1.30 Ballymilan, 2.00 Gouet Des Bruyeres, 2.30 Clover Pass, 3.00 Rookie Trainer, 3.35 Give Me A Moment, 4.10 Jessica Rabbit.
DOUBLE: Gracelands Girl and Isle Of Dreams.
