Fine Form
Novelette SN – 2.15
is expected to complete her hat-trick for Simon and Ed Crisford in the curtain-raising Woburn Partners Nursery Handicap at Sandown.
Placed on her first two starts, the daughter of Sioux Nation made it third time lucky at Yarmouth in early July, with the application of a hood going some way to harnessing her obvious enthusiasm.
She made her handicap debut over this course and distance a month ago and an opening mark of 78 proved lenient as she quickened up smartly to score by a length and a half from Lil Brother, who gave that form a boost with a recent win at Windsor.
Novelette is officially rated 86 now, but is able to compete in Esher off 84 and can take full advantage under Silvestre de Sousa.
Man Of La Mancha SN – 3.50
should make his presence felt in the Hwfa Williams – Founder Of Sandown Park Handicap.
The three-year-old has not run a bad race all season for Ralph Beckett, with a comeback win at Windsor followed by four sound efforts in defeat.
He was unfortunate on his most recent outing at Brighton after his blindfold got stuck and he had significant ground to make up as a result, so it is testament to his ability that he was still beaten less than four lengths into fourth place.
Running off the same mark on a track where he has already performed well, compensation awaits.
Rhythm Master TH – 4.08
can notch his second course-and-distance win of the season in the Constant Security Services Handicap at Thirsk.
The Geoff Harker-trained seven-year-old was rated 110 at his peak and while he is not the force of old, he has been running consistently well off marks in the 80s this season, including a narrow success over this track and trip at the start of August off 86.
After being raised 3lb for what was a first win in over three years, he ran a fine race when third last time out on Newmarket’s July course, leading deep inside the final furlong before being mowed down late and beaten three-quarters of a length.
Dropping back from a mile to seven furlongs, he should prove difficult to peg back.
It will be fascinating to see how
Artagnan TH – 3.38
fares on his return from a lengthy absence in the Ruby Lodge Care Home Handicap.
The son of Mehmas showed a high level of juvenile form last season for Karl Burke, most notably winning a valuable nursery at Goodwood before finishing second at York and Doncaster.
Having been gelded since, Artagnan returns from 350 days off the track at Thirsk and makes his debut for Hamad Al Jehani.
His fitness obviously has to be taken on trust, but his trainer has been among the winners in recent days and a mark of 87 may underestimate his potential.
Cypriot Diaspora FF – 1.55
can make it two wins in a week at Ffos Las in the DragonBet – Oncourse Service And Online Handicap, while Salisbury punters should put their faith in recent Ffos Las scorer Mamma Maria in the Kemp Recruitment Handicap.
Jumping action comes from Fontwell where champion jockey Sean Bowen has a strong book of rides, the pick of which could be Olly Murphy’s
Hold Onto The Line FN – 7.18
in the concluding BetGoodwin Super Tommy Cannon Handicap Chase .
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