Rakeekah can uphold family tradition
Rakeekah, a half-sister to a Classic winner, can reap the benefit of a promising debut by opening her account in division one of the Totesport 0800 221 221 Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Yarmouth.
The John Gosden-trained filly has a long way to go if she is to be as good as Lahan, who won the Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket in 1999 before going to land the 1000 Guineas the following spring.
However, she did give her connections plenty of encouragement when making her debut less than three weeks ago.
Running green at the back of the field, she was making progress when unable to get a clear run on the inside but stayed on well into sixth place in a race won by Blues Minor.
Bavarian Nordic can gain compensation for a short-head defeat on her latest start by winning the totesport.com Nursery.
Ed Dunlop’s juvenile won his race on the far side at Windsor only to be mugged in the dying strides by Suzi Spends. He deserves to get his head in front.
Vietnam can follow up his recent Nottingham victory in the Norfolk Nelson Museum Selling Stakes.
Geoff Huffer had to go to 5,800 guineas to retain the Compton Place gelding after his two-length win over Etoile D’Or.
This contest is no better and, with championship-seeking jockey Jamie Spencer booked for the ride, another win is on the cards.
Desperate Dan looks the answer to a tricky sprint for the Weatherbys Bank Handicap at Lingfield.
The Andrew Haynes-trained six-year-old can make his pace count on his return to the minimum trip after setting a furious gallop over six furlongs last time.
He led to just before the furlong marker at Wolverhampton before fading into fifth spot behind Carcinetto and will be hard to peg back this time.
Richard Fahey sends just one runner – Harrison George – to the Surrey venue and the tip should be taken.
The Danetime colt has been in the first four in all his four starts so far and has even had a run at the Curragh where he was fourth to Lucies Pride in quite a valuable contest.
Third to impressive winner, the Godolphin-owned Calming Influence at York recently, Harrison George can get off the mark in the Lingfield Park for Weddings Median Auction Maiden Stakes.
Felinious can maintain her unbeaten record over jumps in the Racing Ahead Weekend Newspaper Handicap Hurdle at Exeter.
It is two from two for the Jonjo O’Neill-trained filly with short-priced wins at Sedgefield and Towcester this autumn.
She now steps up to handicap company and tackles a slightly longer trip, but being by Ascot Gold Cup winner Kayf Tara that should not be a problem.
Calusa Caldera showed much improved form when scoring over hurdles at Huntingdon last week and can complete a quick double in the IJF Handicap Chase.
That race was an exercise to see if a wind operation had been successful. The result showed that it was and the five-year-old’s trainer Brendan Powell has always believed Calusa Caldera’s future is over fences.
He certainly looks worth supporting at the first attempt.
