It is a busy day for Ryan Moore who has five good rides this afternoon at Doncaster, before heading down it to Newmarket for a further five rides at flat racing's HQ. He rides the well-bred Frankel colt Learn by Heart (2.30) for Her Majesty The Queen who appears well-placed to shed the maiden tag at the second time of asking. The selection is bred to be smart and after a promising debut earlier in the month at Haydock should get his head in front for the in-form yard of William Haggas.
Moore partners Marco Botti's last time out winner Moolazim in a competitive 3yo Handicap and is a warm favourite to make it three wins from the colt's four career starts. The son of Tamayuz isn't sure to be suited by today's forecast soft ground however, and I'm keen to give Simon Crisford's Century Dream (3.30) another chance dropping back down in trip to a mile. The selection failed to stay a mile and a quarter when last seen finishing fourth in the London Gold Cup at Sandown and, from an unrevised mark, boasts leading claims under William Buick.
Buick partners Godolphin's stoutly-bred filly Glittering Jewel in the Fillies' Maiden over a mile and a quarter however, preference lies instead with Superioritycomplex (4.00) completing a quick-fire double for Royal Ascot's Top Jock. The Sir Michael Stoute-trained filly improved for the step up in trip last time out at Salisbury and should make it third time lucky with Moore replacing Stevie Donohue in the plate.
The Moore bandwagon rolls onto Newmarket where Luca Cumani's City Limits (7.25) should strip fitter for last month's seasonal reappearance at Goodwood, stepping up in trip for the 1m 5f Handicap. The son of Nathaniel is bred to appreciate a trip and remains unexposed after just four career starts.
William Haggas' Al Neksh (8.30) can complete a magnificent day for Moore in the feature handicap over an extended mile and a quarter. The selection was second on his seasonal debut when well-supported in the market beforehand. He was unlucky to bump into one on the day and should go one better from just a pound higher mark.
Newcastle's three-day Northumberland Plate continues this evening with a field of 14 going to post for the Gosforth Park Cup and Newmarket raider Afandem likely to be popular for the in-form pair of Hugo Palmer and Josephine Gordon. The well-bred colt wears first-time head-gear in his bid for the £28,000 first prize and is respected against exposed rivals however, preference lies instead with Tim Easterby's Orion's Bow (7.00) under regular partner David Allen.
The selection must concede weight all round but has impressed on all three starts since joining from former trainer Dandy Nicholls and after having no luck in-running last time out in the Scottish Sprint Cup, and must go close from an unrevised mark.
If back to her best then Chain of Daisies will take all the beating in the Fillies' Listed contest over a mile and a quarter but with the dead eight I'm willing to chance Ralph Beckett's Very Dashing (8.05) each way at 10/1 with BetVictor. She has a stone to find with the market principle but has shaped well in both starts since leaving former trainer Luca Cumani and, after putting in a career-best on her all-weather debut earlier in the campaign at Kempton, should improve for the switch to the tapeta surface.
They go at Cartmel where Stuart Crawford's mare Verona Opera (3.20) should take all the beating in the 2m 5f Beginners' Chase in receipt of 7lb from the boys. The selection gets on well with jockey Brian Hughes, the pair combining to win at Ayr last term, and gets the nod to make a winning debut over fences.
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