A typically-competive handicap with only 5lbs covering the first six runners, the lowest rated 80, and with Talayeb carrying bottom weight of 8st 5lbs because of his current mark of 72. The return to quicker ground may bring out some improvement for any one of the horses in the line-up, as could the step up to a mile and a quarter. Bullet Man has it to prove after two lacklustre efforts this season and Special Reserve aims to build on his confidence-boosting success last-time out.
Bullet Man is worthy of consideration as he represents handicap master Luca Cumani but he does have to improve to overcome his current handicap mark of 80. He has improved for the step up trip during his career, and on his fourth start, he broken his maiden in a modest Lingfield contest over this trip. That was his first try at 1m 2f and despite being slowly away, he was able to recover and settle in midfield before staying on well to repel all challengers. He made his seasonal debut at Yarmouth in April and was 7lbs higher from his last winning mark. He fancied to go well that day but he ran a shocker, finishing well down the field after being off the bridle for a long way. He then went to Nottingham and ran creditably on ground softer than ideal. He plugged on that day and never threatened and it is hoped that today he will improve for the return to better ground. He is 2lbs lower from his Yarmouth run and with Ryan Moore booked, connections must believe that if back to the form of his only win, he could go close.
Special Reserve was finally rewarded for his consistency last time out, when he shed his maiden tag at 15th time off asking. He has been very expensive to follow and has finished second an incredible seven times, not for the want of trying it must be said. After some solid performances over this trip during his three-year-old season, he built on his first run of the season to score at Windsor by a length under Richard Hughes. He was given a good ride that day, being waited with to score fairly cosily. He has gone up 5lbs as a result and it will be interesting to see if his confidence has been boosted with a win finally under his belt. The trip should be ideal and the fast ground will play to his strengths. With Richard Hannon's string in top form, Special Reserve should give it his best shot.
Talayeb is still a maiden after nine starts and has a fairly lenient mark if he improves from his seasonal debut. After some consistent but uninspiring performances last season, he ran well at Ascot in April to finish third in 19-runner handicap over a mile. He was always prominent under Richard Hills but weakened in the final furlong. He is rated 15lbs lower on turf than on the all-weather and it will be disappointing if he cannot win a race sooner or later. It must be said that Talayeb's one and only start over today's trip resulted in him being beaten 13 lengths, so it remains to be seen whether this step up in trip will suit this son of Nayef. He could run well under Richard Hills but there are some doubts over him, as well as the form of his stable.
Spell Caster is an interesting runner for Ralph Beckett and Seb Sanders. She took a while to come to hand last season but after a good run at Newbury in July over this trip, she won a good handicap at Goodwood, a race worth £12,000. Over a trip of nine furlongs, she travelled well up the inside rail for William Buick, and despite having to wait for a gap to appear, she eventually got the opening and quickened up in impressive style to win by a length. Up 5lbs for that win, she was sent to Newmarket in September for another decent handicap but she failed to re-produce her Goodwood form and finished down the field. After a good break, she is making her seasonal reappearance her and could go well if fit enough. After two good runs over this distance before and with the fast ground firmly to her liking, she may well be able to overcome her stiff handicap of 84 and give her trainer yet another winner this season.
Baylini has shown all his best form on the all-weather and but does have some good runs to his name over this trip. He is 11lbs lower on turf than on polytrack and seems better suited by that surface. He is dropping back two furlongs today but it would be no surprise to see him run a big race. Wasp is an unknown quantity in terms of trip, as he stepping up to 1m 2f for the first time. He is another who has better form on the all-weather but has not had many opportunities on turf and could run well fresh from a recent run at Thirsk.
Selections: 1st - Spell Caster, 2nd - Special Reserve, 3rd - Bullet Man
Result: 1st - Bullet Man, 15/8 fav, 2nd - Baylini, 11/2, 3rd - Special Reserve, 11/4.
Bullet Man was given a very positive ride by Ryan Moore and he did not see a rival as he breezed to a comfortable length and half success. He was well backed throughout the day and the money was in the bag with two furlongs to go when Moore kicked Luca Cumani's charge on. He travelled well at the head of affairs and when asked to go and win the race he picked up in good style, it would be no surprise to see him follow up. The return to quicker ground definitely helped him and he would be one to side with if he gets similar conditions next time out. Baylini ran a solid race in second, staying on but never threatening the winner. Considering he is rated far better on the all-weather, he may be able to pick up a small race on turf. Special Reserve was bidding to follow up his sole win gained last time but he again had to settle for a place. He was always sat second under Richard Hughes and was travelling as well as the winner two furlongs out but could not find enough to get to Bullet Man. He travelled nicely but did not get a great run up the rail and he needs everything to fall right for him. Spell Caster ran a good race on her comeback, eventually finishing fourth after briefly looking a danger to the winner. She was in rear throughout but moved up with three furlongs to go but race-fitness began to tell as she weakened in the final furlong. It will be interesting where she goes next and with this race likely to bring her on, she would be worth a check in the betting. Wasp was well backed before the off but did not pick up when asked to go on.
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