After the glorious week just passed it’s back to the bread and butter of maidens and handicaps around the UK on Monday, but something has to win these races and betting opportunities still remain. Here are some of the highlights with main contenders noted.
2.15 Ripon – 6f Fillies’ Novice Stakes
Elation
Roger Varian brings just this one to the Garden Racecourse and must feel confident. Ran well in a decent maiden at Newbury when she did not get the run of the race and can show up well here.
Perfect Thought
Should settle better this time and therefore improve, unlikely to get past a couple of these.
Lady Anjorica
Peaked when midfield at Royal Ascot but also ran well here before and can do so again.
Clubbable
Coming along nicely and definite place prospects this time.
82 Lady Anjorica
77 Elation
75 Clubbable
71 Perfect Thought
Summary
Elation will be all the rage but it may not pay to dismiss the experience of LADY ANJORICA lightly and she can finally land a win. Clubbable may run into a place.
2.30 Salisbury – 7f Novice Stakes
Antagonist
Very well bred but will probably be brought along slowly.
Archie McKellar
A relatively inexpensive buy, but apparently going well at home and the right sort of money has arrived for him overnight.
Bullingdon
Decent third on soft ground last time and will be expected to progress.
Magnificent
Ran up to a decent level of form at Newmarket last time in amongst some good types.
Kitaabaat
A newcomer with excellent connections, but perhaps best watched on debut.
Summary
Magnificent sets an obvious form standard, however ARCHIE McKELLAR is of interest on debut and could be the one.
3.15 Ripon – 1m1 1/2 f Handicap
Komodo
Despite winning again at Ayr last time I’m not sure it looked as though 1m2f was ideal. Going the right way though and can show up well again.
Cornborough
Doing well on the flat and over hurdles this term. A narrow winner last time and a tiny bit more improvement could be squeezed out.
Save The Bees
A winner last time but will struggle off his new weight.
Racemaker
Loves it here, won nicely when dropped to a mile but is arguably better at this trip and can improve again. The 4lb rise may be a little much for him though.
Auspicion
Doing his best work around Newcastle on tapeta but a look back at his form suggests he’s little different on turf.
93 Komodo
93 Cornborough
90 Auspicion
88 Racemaker
85 Save The Bees
Summary
A competitive race with four last time out winners in the field and it’s one that may just go to CORNBOROUGH. The trip looks ideal and he may just nab the win again ahead of Komodo.
5.45 Windsor – 1m2f Handicap
Funky Footsteps
Better than the form of her Sandown third and will appreciate the step up in trip.
Raj Balaraaj
Good third over this trip at Newbury last time but has his limitations. Still solid place chances.
Pretty Obvious
An expensive 4yo who may be a big deal over hurdles before long. Didn’t really progress between runs at this track though.
Millie’s Kiss
Beat the 2yo’s when running in the wrong race last time, nevertheless has some reasonable handicap form.
Bayston Hill
The win at Bath looks a little anomaly and his other form doesn’t look strong enough.
74 Funky Footsteps
71 Raj Balaraaj
69 Pretty Obvious
69 Millie’s Kiss
64 Bayston Hill
Summary
Typically for a contest of this type there is little consistency, though one who has that and even some potential improvement is FUNKY FOOTSTEPS. James Doyle’s ride Raj Balaraaj may be next best.
7.15 Windsor – 1m2f Maiden Fillies’ Stakes
Superioritycomplex
Had three chances but never when getting ideal conditions. Despite this she’s continued to progress steadily and can put in another improved display.
Sea Tide
The form of her Nottingham second can be upgraded but it’s uncertain how much improvement there is to come.
Romina
Markedly up in trip but that is not guaranteed to suit on breeding despite her staying on well on debut.
Meccabah
Best run was over a mile and I can’t help think that she’s not a middle distance type.
Jafetica
Reasonably debut but should be outclassed here.
85 Superioritycomplex
81 Sea Tide
74 Meccabah
71 Romina
70 Jafetica
Summary
As always in maidens the betting could be informative, but we know more or less what to expect from this bunch now and the one with more to give is probably SUPERIORITYCOMPLEX. Sir Michael Stoute’s filly will have come on plenty since her last run and the yard are in great form now. Sea Tide can grab a place.