Fine Form
Nightime Dancer NB – 1.50
looks certain to go close in the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury.
It is reasonable to say we have perhaps not seen his absolute limit just yet, having still only had five career starts.
He has been highly tried, too, since taking a Southwell novice on his three-year-old bow – running in the Lingfield Derby Trial, then the Derby and most recently the Bahrain Trophy.
He was far from disgraced in the premier Classic, running on nicely from well back in the field to finish eighth. It was little wonder connections opted to step him up to a mile and five furlongs at Newmarket, where he was unfortunate to bump into one in Aidan O’Brien’s Scandinavia.
The winner has since won the Goodwood Cup and is all the rage for the St Leger, so there was nothing wrong with that effort from Richard Hannon’s charge and on all known evidence there is not a Scandinavia in this.
More Thunder NB – 3.35
will be the subject of plenty of attention in the Visit Malta Hungerford Stakes.
A revelation this season after William Haggas elected to come back markedly in trip on inheriting the Night Of Thunder colt following the retirement of Sir Michael Stoute, he has looked full of potential.
Haggas has taken full advantage of both his mark and obvious speed to craft a horse who in some ways has been the surprise package of the season. He is unfortunate not to be four from four so far this campaign, but now comes the acid test of his credentials, as he steps out of handicaps to tackle Group Two company.
He does tend to leave things late, but seven furlongs on this track should be ideal on what we have seen so far.
Rock Opera RI – 3.20
is the pick in the William Hill/MND Association Great St Wilfrid Handicap at Ripon.
He showed he is on a highly workable mark at York last month, beaten just half a length by Elmonjed in an ultra-competitive contest.
The winner let the form down when making a quick return in the Stewards’ Cup, but Rock Opera’s third still looks a decent effort and Ethan Tindall takes off a handy 7lb.
It will be disappointing if
Pacifica Pier NM – 2.40
cannot make it two wins from as many starts when he lines up in the JenningsBet Britain’s Biggest Independent Bookmaker EBF Novice Stakes at Newmarket.
He got the better of subsequent smart winner Publish first time at Sandown and although the runner-up had far from a smooth passage and would be favourite to reverse the form should they meet again, it is clear Charlie Appleby’s youngster is a decent one in his own right.
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