SMOOTHTALKINRASCAL (Leicester 7.20 p.m.) Kodiac colt made a fine start to his career when runner up at Newbury, showing plenty of speed. He has progressed well since and goes to Leicester with a big chance.
IGHRAA (Thirsk 1.50 p.m.) Sharp Tamayuz filly has been shaping nicely. A half-sister to five winners, including stakes performer Nashmiah, she is sure to run well, but as ever with our newcomers, expect plenty of improvement for the outing.
MADAME ST CLAIR (Thirsk 2.20 p.m.) High Chaparral filly seemed unsuited by both the soft going and 10-furlong trip at Goodwood last time. Better ground and an easy mile should enable her to perform better, and she has a small each-way chance.
CATHEDRAL (Newbury 4.50 p.m) Invincible Spirit colt ran a debut full of promise when a strong-finishing third on this track in a nice maiden in September. He has been working well in advance of this return and should be competitive.
MISSISSIPPI (Doncaster 7.45 p.m.) Son of Exceed and Excel made a smart debut for the stable when running away with a Kempton maiden recently. He has continued to progress at home since then and will make a bold bid to justify stable confidence off his big weight.
BIX (Newbury 1.40 p.m.) Holy Roman Emperor colt making debut. Will benefit from the experience.
FREEPORT (Bahamian Bounty) and SECRET SIGN (Sakhee’s Secret) Same race. Both colts should similarly improve for the outing.
WITTGENSTEIN (Newmarket 2.20 p.m.) Daughter of Shamardal has shaped nicely, but will undoubtedly benefit from the racecourse experience.
COCKNEY CLASS (Newmarket 5.05 p.m.) Talented grey has been working nicely this spring. There may be a hint of ring-rustiness after more than a year’s absence, but we expect a big run.
JUNIOR DIARY (Salisbury 1.40 p.m.) Mr Greeley filly had been working nicely before her midfield debut in a decent Newmarket maiden. She is sure to know more about it now and could be more competitive.
BAIRAM (Salisbury 2.40 p.m.) This colt, from the first crop of smart sprinter Haatef (by Danzig), has been showing good speed. There is plenty of ability on the dam’s side, too, but he may still be better for the experience.
DAVID JACK (same race) Exceed and Excel colt is from a dam who has already bred two sprinting winners. The sire had a wonderful 2011, especially with juveniles, but as with Bairam, he will come on a lot for the experience.
TITUS MILLS (York 3.00 p.m.) Smart 2010 juvenile made a promising comeback from 18 months’ absence with a front-running fifth at Newmarket. Probably did not find the Polytrack to his liking next time, when the “bounce” factor may also have been an issue. Now goes into handicap class – albeit at a high level – but he has worked well of late and should run a big race.
SYMPHONY TIME (Newmarket 5.55 p.m.) Maiden filly made her usual game effort when 3rd at 25-1 on her return. Has a good effort on this track last year to her credit and could represent small each-way value in an open affair.
RAWAAFED (Newmarket 7.00 p.m.) Two fine runs in classy juvenile maidens here and at York last summer point to his prospects at this level. He has worked well this spring and can get his head in front. Excellent chance.
BAYAN (Newmarket 7.35 p.m.) Ran once last year. He will probably need the run.
LOBELIA (Bath 6.40 p.m.) A daughter of Indesatchel, whose 2011 filly Worth won a couple for the stable, Lobelia starts at a low level in this auction race. She is the first foal of an Indian Ridge mare who is half-sister to three winners. Speedily-bred, but inexperience as ever is an issue for a Manton debutante.
RUN IT TWICE (Bath 7.10 p.m.) It’s a case of speed all the way with this son of sprint sire Dark Angel. This colt has two siblings, both winners, by Camacho, while the dam won three of her five career starts at three. Interesting, but the usual first-time caution is again stressed.
BORAGH WATERS (Kempton 6.20 p.m.) Median auction race start for this daughter of Araafa, who has been shaping with some promise on the gallops. Our newcomers often need their first experience of the racetrack, and the same goes for her.
CRIMSON CHEER (same race). Similar comments apply to this daughter of Van Nistelrooy as those posted above. Like Boragh Waters she has been working nicely, but the acid test will come when she leaves the paddock.
FANTACISE (Windsor 5.40 p.m.) Daughter of Pivotal makes her debut in what is often a good maiden. It is easy to anticipate ability as she is half sister to ten previous runners, all winners. Two of them, Romantic Liason and Romantic Myth, won the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, the former under the care of Brian. The ground is sure to be on the soft side, but Pivotal’s sons and daughters generally cope with it. Optimism on this debut, but as usual it is expected that she will learn from the experience.
MORTITIA (Lingfield 2.10 p.m.) Smart 2010 juvenile who won at the Glorious Goodwood meeting and was an unlucky second in the valuable fillies’ nursery at Doncaster. Had a shortened campaign – ended in June- as a three-year-old but has returned in great form and can re-state her claims as a stakes performer this year. She has a fair bit to find on official ratings compared with a number of these in a hot renewal of this Group 3 fillies’ race, for her return, but may out-perform her lengthy odds.
FORBIDDEN FRUIT (Ascot 4.00 p.m.) Sharp Acclamation colt is half-brother to five winners rated up to 100. He has been going nicely on the home gallops, but as usual with a Manton newcomer, will benefit greatly from the experience, while running a nice race.
BALLESTEROS (Chester 3.05 p.m.) Tomba three-year-old showed steady improvement through the second half of last season, collecting a hat-trick. Versatile as to running five or six furlongs, he also copes with any ground. He impressed at Sandown last time in the mud, and even though a few pounds higher now, has the class to make a winning follow-up. Carries maximum confidence.
MUHDIQ (Lingfield 3.15 p.m.) Son of Hard Spun has been progressing in his work and has achieved enough to suggest he will be competitive at this level, even if he is likely to benefit from the experience.
BALLYHEIGUE (Kempton 6.55 p.m.) Son of High Chaparral made a reasonable comeback at Nottingham, but late on seemed to lose a little concentration, dropping back to fifth. An extra furlong fits with his pedigree, while first-time blinkers and a good draw should also be helpful components. Might make the frame in a competitive affair.
SANDBETWEENOURTOES (Kempton 9.00 p.m.) Uneasiness at the gate probably contributed to a slower-than-anticipated start at Lingfield, and he was always playing catch up against a promising sort, who has won easily since. His goose, metaphorically speaking, was cooked when he jinked out wide on the final bend, but there was nothing wrong with his finishing effort in a close third. This 0-75 looks within reach and he rates a decent bet.
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© 2011 Brian Meehan at Manton