The final day of Yarmouth's Eastern Festival and the first Day of Ayr's Gold Cup meeting are the highlights of a terrific days racing.
Down south I thought there was much to like about Batholomew Fair's (2.50) debut over 7f here last month and he is taken to go one better stepped up to a mile for his second start.
Andrea Atzeni keeps the ride on a colt who holds an entry in a valuable sales' race at HQ next month and it will take an above average newcomer to lower his colours.
Godolphin have two making their racecourse debut High Valley, a New Approach half-brother to five winners, and Rewritten but they lack the experience of the Cumani colt who was well backed on debut. The Gosden-trained winner hardly franked the form at Goodwood upped in class last time, but I thought the selection travelled like a good horse on his first start and the stable's juveniles invariably come on for the experience.
The most valuable race on the card is the 1m 6f handicap and I'm not convinced it will take much winning. Mick Duggan would have every chance if able to replicate his all-weather form on turf but I am going to take a chance on Dare To Achieve (4.50) who disappointed in the Ebor last time having, surprisingly, tried to make all. Ryan Moore takes over today and although he has yet to win beyond 12f his excellent trainer perseveres with the Ebor trip although I would be surprised if Moore makes as much use of the gelding as Seb Sanders did at York.
At Ayr Shane Gray takes off a valuable 5lbs off Presburg (4.40) for the very much inform yard of Joseph Tuite. The selection certainly wouldn't want a crawl at this trip but Corton Lad could attack from stall one and Mark Johnston's Fire Fighting is likely to make sure there is pace in the race having scored at Bath over 12f at the weekend.
No rain is forecast for Scotland on Referendum Day which is a pity for William Hogarth followers in the finale. When the rain arrives he should be more than capable off his current mark but that is not the case and Jim Goldie saddles five including A Southside Boy and Testa Rossa (5.10) and it is the latter who gets the yes vote although his stamina must be taken on trust.
There is a BetVictor sponsored card at Kempton Park this evening and Godolphin's New Year's Night (6.10) is no star but is entitled to come on for his initial outing at Wolverhampton last month when third over seven furlongs. This step up in trip should suit this beautifully bred colt who cost 800,000 Guineas as a yearling! Dubai Star is already gelded and makes his debut having cost just 170,000 Gns as a yearling.
Holiday Magic overcame a poor draw to score over C&D last time and has the plum draw in stall one to try and make all but back in third was Frederic (2lb better off) and he is taken to reverse the form given he met trouble in running and finished well. This lightly-raced pair could be ahead of the handicapper.
Manomine should make sure there is a true gallop and that could suit the recent C&D winner Elbereth (8.40) who was well on top at the end of her recent maiden success last month and returns from a six-week break. She will get further in time but as long as there is a decent gallop she can make it two out of three.
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