Fine Form
Arnaz BR – 3.50
can complete a quickfire hat-trick for Mark and Billy Loughnane in the Blackmore Equestrian Construction Handicap at Brighton.
The five-year-old was rated 70 when joining the Loughnane team from Ed Walker’s yard last year, but an uninspiring run of form saw him drop to 54 at the start of this month.
The combination of that fall in the weights, a drop back to six furlongs and more positive tactics paid off at Chepstow as he fairly bolted up in an apprentice handicap on August 9 – and he backed that up with another dominant display under title-chasing Billy Loughnane on August 18.
He is now sent back into action just five days later for a £40,000 contest which is the final of the Brighton Summer Sprint Series and while he will have to step up again to land this much stronger contest, Arnaz is clearly in great heart at the moment and a bold bid looks assured.
A strong book of rides for Loughnane also includes
Dreams Galore BR – 3.20
who bids for her third win on the spin in the John Heal Memorial Nursery.
Ollie Sangster’s filly began life in handicaps off a fairly lowly mark after three ordinary efforts in novice company and she has taken full advantage by going back-to-back at Chepstow.
The manner of her latest success suggests she is very much on the upgrade, so while a 7lb hike looks hefty enough, it might not be enough to stop her.
It will be interesting to see whether a change of scenery can help
North View BR – 4.20
get back on the winning trail in the Blackmore Design & Build Handicap.
The five-year-old won off 78 at Chelmsford in January for Stuart Williams, so his current mark of 74 ahead of his first start for Tony Carroll looks workable.
It is not as though he has been woefully out of form either, with recent placed efforts at Yarmouth and over this course and distance suggesting his winning turn might not be far away.
Jumping action comes from Worcester and it will come as a surprise to no one that Dan and Harry Skelton have a number of good chances on the card, the best of which looks to be
At The Oche WA – 2.38
in the Neu-Servo Rapid Response Handicap Chase.
Bought out of Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies’ yard in May for £22,000, the Ocovango gelding gave his new connections an immediate return on their investment when winning on his debut over fences at Uttoxeter last month.
Whether it was the larger obstacles or a wind operation or a combination of both, At The Oche looked a much improved animal, doing well to win considering he made a major error four fences from home.
The handicapper has not missed him, handing him a 9lb rise, but after just 10 lifetime starts there is plenty of scope for improvement.
Network Gold WR – 3.38
is the pick in the Neu-Servo Phils Last Shift Maiden Hurdle.
The grey was second to a decent sort in Aqua Bleu when last seen in action at Lingfield in December and must have every chance of going one better if fit enough to do himself justice after a lengthy absence.
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