Twlight to sparkle

Epsom swings back into action tomorrow, with the Weatherbys Blue Riband Trial Stakes the feature event on a competitive card.

Although intended as a prep event for the Vodafone Derby, this 10-furlong conditions race has not produced a true big-race contender for quite some time.

In fact, only the Barry hills-trained Dubai Twilight is entered for the premier Classic at this stage and he is the runner that makes most appeal.

The Alhaarth colt made a good impression on his racecourse bow last term when finishing fourth in a Listed contest and he built on that when chasing home subsequent Group Three winner Dijeerr.

Off the track since that run last September, Dubai Twilight was sent off long odds-on to land an uncompetitive maiden on the all-weather at Lingfield earlier in the month.

He made all the running that day to hold Easterly Breeze and the fact that Hills also has Dubai Twilight in the Dante Stakes indicates he rates him highly.

I Have Dreamed was once rated as a possible Derby type by local trainer Terry Mills and he can fulfil the Epsom dream, albeit at a much lower level, in the BetBlueSq.Com Great Metropolitan Stakes.

A suspensory injury meant he did not make his debut until winning a maiden at four but further problems then kept him off the track.

He failed to hit the expected heights when given a clear run last term, winning once in six starts, but he was a gritty winner at Kempton in March.

A slow early pace did not suit I Have Dreamed last time at Lingfield and he was only narrowly beaten after a 12-furlong event turned into a sprint.

But a stronger pace can be expected this time and I Have Dreamed can take full advantage.

Charlie Tokyo can complete a double for Richard Fahey in the BetBlueSq.com City And Suburban Stakes.

It is worth noting he was in the process of running a good race over course and distance in a valuable handicap on Derby Day last year when badly hampered, so the unique ups and downs of the Surrey venue should not pose a problem.

Successful at Pontefract just under two weeks ago, the four-year-old has a quietly progressive profile and is expected to defy a 5lb rise.

Just four runners turn out for the Richmond Conditions Stakes at Catterick and Love Brothers can claim the prize for Mick Channon after a narrow defeat last time out, while Arsad can strike for Clive Brittain in the Digibet Sports Betting Handicap at Kempton’s evening meeting.

Perth kick off their richly-endowed three-day festival and Lankawi can take top honours in the S.B.J. Nelson Steavenson Novices’ Chase.

The five-year-old looks a promising recruit to the fencing ranks judged by three wins in his first three chase starts.

Although he found one too good on stepping up to full company at Aintree, he lost little in defeat behind a back-to-form Reveillez.

Peter Bowen usually sends out a winner or two at this meeting and Lankawi looks a likely type.

Im Spartacus can make it three wins from four runs for Evan Williams in the John Smith’s Handicap Hurdle.

A Group Three winner on the Flat, Im Spartacus has proved equally adept over obstacles in winning at Southwell and Towcester this term.

He came up against a good one in subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner Burntoakboy at Leicester on his only defeat and should still take some beating in his current heart.

Elsewhere, Sahara Prince should relish the quick conditions in the Play Monopoly At skybetvegas.com Novices’ Hurdle at Worcester.