Ten fillies will contest tomorrow's Oaks after the surprise news that Godolphin have rerouted Sobetsu from the French Oaks at Chantilly later in the month to Epsom and she is now an 8/1 shot (from 12s) with BetVictor for the fillies' classic. Connections obviously feel the weekend rain will make sure there is enough cut in the ground for the filly to give her best although there is no rain forecast between now and post time.
They go on turf at Lingfield Park this afternoon and I thought Rotherwick (4.10) would improve on his seasonal reappearance when he finished fourth at Leicester on his first start since a gelding operation. David Probert takes over in the saddle this afternoon and I would be disappointed if he did not go close.
There was plenty of money on the Knavesmire for Red Rannagh on his seasonal debut but 12f on soft ground was less than ideal for a horse who is invariably slowly away. The four-year-old will appreciate today's better ground and would have every chance if putting his best foot forward this afternoon.
At Hamilton Kingthistle looks to be improving on turf but all three career wins have come on an all-weather surface and preference is for Falcon's Fire (3.30) who drops back in trip having been campaigned over further in recent outings. Paul Hanagan knows the 4-year-old well and is likely to make it a true test over this extended eleven furlongs on what is a stiff track.
Keith Dalgleisih saddles Falcon's Fire and will also be optimistic that his recent Carlisle winner Little Miss Kodi can defy 10st 4lbs and a 6lbs penalty in the Mile Handicap. The vote, however, goes to Arcane Dancer (4.00) who looked to be coming to hand when finishing runner up at Beverley last month and shaped as if she would appreciate a step back up in trip when staying on back at the Humberside track yesterday.
Tread Lightly (5.00) will be racing from a 7lbs higher mark from Saturday as a result of his neck second to Shambra at Redcar last month. That career best run coincided with a step up in trip to 10f for the first time and the pair did have the third nine lengths away on Teesside.
There is a jumps card at Ffos Las this evening and Super Scorpion (6.30) is taken to follow up his recent C&D success from an 8lbs higher mark. The selection wore a hood for the first time on that occasion and the hope is that the headgear works the oracle a second time – still only a seven-year-old the selection is open to further improvement.
Pongo Twistleton will be a warm order in the 2m 6f handicap hurdle but he is likely to be a short price and this trip is a long way for a four-year-old. I am going to give Western Sunrise (8.30) another chance dropping back down in trip on better ground for Brendan Powell and Johnny Farrelly.
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