Bairns St Bay can open account in fillies maiden
The Big Bad Bob filly has performed creditably in her three outings to date, filling the runner-up berth in her last two starts and earning an official mark of 78, which should be good enough to win a polytrack maiden in mid-February.
Fourth to Sparklingsovereign on her debut, Bairns St Bay was then beaten a length by Sharaasa and, last time, she started favourite to beat 94-rated Avenue Montaigne, which had previously run well in a listed event in Newmarket.
The selection was no match for John Murphy’s filly, but looks progressive. With the step-up to a mile expected to bring more improvement, Colin Keane’s mount sets a fair standard. Market support for Dermot Weld’s debutante Petit Adagio would be significant.
Few trainers place their horses better than Tracey Collins and, despite top-weight, her Captains Dilemma must have a big chance in the seven-furlong Ladbrokes Handicap. Runner-up to Elusive In Paris over course and distance last time and with Philip Donovan claiming a valuable 7lb., he has solid claims.
The Collins-trained Indian Landing, bidding for a hat-trick, will be among the leading fancies for the Ladbrokes Download The App Handicap. Another hat-trick seeker — Andy Oliver’s Have A Great Day — is a tentative choice in the hope that an extra-furlong and his rate of improvement might counteract a 9lb. hike in the weights.
