Dark Missile can hit the target
The five-year-old began the 2007 season on a mark of 94 but comes into this event with a rating of 107 after a string of big performances.
Winner of the ultra-competitive Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot, Dark Missile could not get her head in front again but enjoyed the highlight of her career when placing at Group Two level.
She was only beaten a short head by the well-regarded Haatef and although a subsequent trip to Canada failed to bear fruit, she can be forgiven a lacklustre run at the end of a long season.
Dark Missile is certainly not done with yet, as she conclusively proved when a close-up third on her seasonal bow in the Abernant and back against her own sex, Andrew Balding’s charge will take all the beating.
Harry Dunlop’s Air Chief can defy a 6lb penalty in the John Smith’s Handicap.
The Dr Fong gelding showed very little as a juvenile but has improved on that already this season.
He reappeared at Folkestone in soft ground and managed to win a handicap off a mark of 62 under Ian Mongan.
Then on much quicker ground, he proved he will be able to handle these conditions when winning off a 5lb rating higher over this course and distance. He is turned out again under a 6lb penalty but should be able to bring up the hat-trick.
Paul Cole has started the turf season in better form than most and it will be surprising if his Capefly is turned over in the Lindlay Catering Handicap.
The Cape Cross filly steadily improved during her two-year-old campaign and it was surprising to see her dropped 4lb by the handicapper for finishing second on her final start.
Admittedly she was easily brushed aside and five furlongs will no doubt prove too sharp later in the season but it looks a weak race and Ryan Moore has been booked.
John Gosden is carrying all before him at present and bookmakers are even talking of a Classic clean sweep he has so much strength in depth.
At a much lower level, Master Spy should take all the beating in the Book Your Tickets Online at Southwell.
Seb Sanders is usually worth noting when he teams up with Peter Makin and that is the case in the Stay At The Wolverhampton Holiday Inn Handicap where he partners Joss Stick at the Dunstall Park venue.
King Daniel had looked a chaser on the up before tipping up in a Grade One at Aintree and can get back to winning ways in the Sendrig Construction “Young Chaser” Series Final at Sedgefield, while Notanotherdonkey looks favourably treated in the Winning Post Restaurant Handicap Chase at Wincanton.
