Fine Form
Barnaby Rudge MU – 2.20
looks well placed to complete his hat-trick in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes at Musselburgh.
James Fanshawe’s juvenile was not unfancied for his Nottingham debut in early June and did well to recover from a tardy start and win a shade comfortably.
He headed north to Newcastle for his follow-up bid later in the month and did well to get the job done under a 6lb penalty, beating Hell Of A Spin by half a length.
Hindsight tells us that was a fair effort, with the runner-up winning next time out at Hamilton and then finishing an excellent third at big odds in what looked a strong edition of the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood last week.
It is never easy for horses to concede a double penalty, but Barnaby Rudge looks more precocious than most two-year-olds from this yard and is difficult to oppose.
The Harriet Bethell-trained
Eagle Bay MU – 3.20
also goes in search of a third successive victory in the Champagne Pommery Cuvee Louise Gold Cup Handicap.
Third at Catterick on his sole start at two for Ed Walker, the gelded son of Cable Bay switched yards during the off-season and could hardly have been more impressive on his first start for his new trainer, dominating from the front and coming home with five lengths in hand at Thirsk.
He looked to have a bit more on his place in a Chester novice event next time but again won with his head in his chest, albeit the form is probably questionable given the favourite did not fire on the day.
Eagle Bay now moves into handicap company and an opening mark of 85 might underestimate him.
Grey Horizon BR – 4.00
is in a rich vein of form and is worth following in the Harry Bloom Memorial ‘Brighton Bullet’ Handicap by the seaside.
Scott Dixon’s grey won comfortably over this course and distance at the end of May and while he is 9lb higher now, he defied a 6lb hike when claiming a seventh career victory at Bath last month.
Those with eagle eyes may have noticed he actually ran and won easily at Goodwood last week, albeit not under rules, as he ran under the name of Khor Al Adaid in the Magnolia Cup.
It is hard to take too much from that race from a form perspective, but it did at least show his well being and another bold bid looks assured.
Master Vintner TH – 4.10
has become frustrating to follow of late, but perhaps the application of blinkers will do the trick in Thirsk’s William Hill, Market Place, Thirsk Handicap.
Third behind star stayer Scandinavia on his only start in Ireland, the four-year-old subsequently joined Ralph Beckett and won his first couple of races on these shores at Goodwood and Lingfield in September.
He was disappointing as a leading fancy for the November Handicap next time and his Newmarket comeback was also underwhelming, but he has performed better in finishing second on his last couple of starts on the all-weather.
There was not a lot wrong with his latest effort behind talented hurdler Tripoli Flyer and it could be that the headgear helps him find the necessary improvement to get back on the winning trail.
Haydock reopens its doors with an evening fixture and impressive recent Yarmouth winner
Ancestor HY – 5.43
should get punters off to a flyer in the opening Zyn Pole Position EBF Novice Stakes for William Haggas and Tom Marquand.
It might be worth putting him in a double with Charlie Appleby’s
Nabati NM – 6.37
who was second to Arapaho Gold in the Listed Rose Bowl at Newbury three weeks ago and can go one better at the chief expense of Nottingham victor Tawakal in Newmarket’s Carling Novice Stakes.
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