Sovereign to rule at Lingfield
Sovereign Spirit can end a frustrating barren spell at Lingfield.
Walter Swinburn’s stayer has not won since February last year but all that could change in the Higgs International Handicap.
The Desert Prince gelding gave a clear indication he is at somewhere near a winning mark when finishing second to the useful Featherlight at Kempton last month.
Although he has gone up 2lb as a consequence, Sovereign Spirit has won before from a higher perch from which he competes tomorrow.
That last effort at Kempton also suggested Swinburn has found the key to him by stepping the five-year-old up to two miles.
With stamina probably assured and a proven attitude for the all-weather surface, this looks a good opportunity to put to bed a 12-race sequence of defeats.
There was much to like about the course-and-distance win of May Day Queen, who has been found a nice comeback race in the News International EBF Conditions Stakes.
Richard Hannon’s filly is obviously held in some regard by connections or else she would not have been turned out for a Naas Group Three on only her second start.
May Day Queen did not disappoint either and finished just two and a quarter lengths behind You’resothrilling.
Although that promise was not fulfilled in the Albany at Royal Ascot – she only beat four home – and then at Goodwood, all was forgiven with a half-length verdict over Fashion Rocks at Lingfield.
That form looks rock-solid as Fashion Rocks finished sixth in the Lowther Stakes before winning a Listed race at Salisbury.
There is nothing of that calibre in this affair.
Bridgewater Boys is nothing if not reliable and should go well in the Reuters First For News Handicap at Kempton.
Formerly in the care of Kevin Ryan, the Gary Moore-trained gelding put up a nice effort on his first start for new connections over course and distance.
Bridgewater Boys was doing his best work towards the line on that occasion and that blow-out – his first start for seven weeks – should have him spot-on for this.
Wetherby take the wraps off a new season with an attractive seven-race card featuring a clutch of up-and-coming performers.
John Quinn does particularly well at the North Yorkshire venue and landed the totesport.com Handicap Hurdle with Archie Babe 12 months ago.
He can strike again with Master Nimbus.
The Malton handler will be keen to make hay before the ground gets too soft for his seven-year-old, who is returned to the fray five days after a romp at Bangor.
Master Nimbus made a mockery of what was quite a competitive handicap in Wales by coming home 13 lengths clear of Elaala.
He does have a tendency to be too keen in his races but was settled beautifully off the pace by Dougie Costello before being eased down at the finish.
Clearly in good heart, a 7lb penalty may not be enough to stifle the progress of this highly-consistent hurdler.
Arctic Ghost is a confident selection in the skybet.com Supporting Spinal Research Bobby Renton Handicap Chase.
Noel Wilson earmarked this gelding as a possible Scottish National contender, which seems fair enough from what we have seen so far.
The seven-year-old signed off in April with a fluent success over course and distance to supplement a similarly authoritative win at Sedgefield in March.
Conditions will be perfect for Arctic Ghost, who has a bright future when the ground is in his favour.
Bremen could be something to bet on in the Bet365 Charlie Hall Meeting 2nd/3rd November Maiden Hurdle.
The ex-French four-year-old kept some pretty smart company on the Flat across the Channel and made a promising start to life over hurdles with Philip Hobbs when second at Perth last month.
He should improve for the experience and will strip much fitter after what was his first run since March.
Waterspray won many new admirers at Stratford last month and can double up at Uttoxeter.
John Spearing’s chaser is best seen when leading from the front, as he showed when making all to score by three lengths in a race that has since thrown up another winner (Sunley Shines).
In addition to a game front-running technique, he is very capable at his fences and should be too smart for the rest of them in the Lichfield Mercury Handicap Chase.
