Monday is a typically busy day of flat action and, despite quality being low, opportunities are high. We have compiled the best races for today. Here are the highlights and top rated horses:
1.45 Ayr – 7f Fillies’ Novice Stakes
Affina
A game winner over this trip last time and may go well despite the penalty.
Frolic
Third in a decent novice event at Newmarket last time and every chance she will improve from that.
Double Reflection
Battled well to win over 6f last time and may appreciate this extra furlong.
Kirbec
Assuming the seventh furlong does the trick there could be more improvement to come.
81 Double Reflection
78 Kirbec
75 Affina
75 Frolic
Summary
This looks like a decent opportunity for DOUBLE REFLECTION to back up her Chepstow win with another victory. Kirbec could improve for the step up in trip and is feared most.
2.00 Ripon – 6f Fillies’ Novice Auction Stakes
Bungee Jump
Good run at Newcastle on debut when the trip would have been far enough. This should be ideal.
Take Shelter
Seems to have gone backwards since debuting in spring but remains capable.
Me Before You
A good third over course and distance on debut and there could be a chunk of improvement now returned to the scene.
Dorcas
Took a step forward over this trip at Yarmouth last time and may do so again.
73 Take Shelter
71 Bungee Jump
68 Dorcas
66 Me Before You
Summary
TAKE SHELTER has already proven capable of better than this and could be coming right back to her form of this spring. Bungee Jump is best of the rest.
3.00 Ripon – 1m6f Handicap
West Drive
Improved for the step up in trip at Sandown in what was a decent race and looks set to go well again.
On Fire
Uncertain as to what ground is better for this one but he’s pretty consistent anyway and likes this trip.
Chancery
0-9 this season but didn’t get a clear run last time and may do better again over this distance.
Stormin Tom
Last win came around this track over a year ago, albeit over two miles. Expected to go better for the return here and the drop in trip.
Renfrew Street
Trip and ground are ideal here so an improved display is possible. Only a four-year-old and capable of better.
Gaelic Tiger
Keeping good company at Ascot last time but arguably needs a break.
90 On Fire
89 Chancery
88 West Drive
87 Stormin Tom
83 Renfrew Street
82 Gaelic Tiger
Summary
It’s close, but the consistent ON FIRE may just have enough at the weights to see these off. Chancery looks good value too.
6.20 Wolverhampton – 5f Novice Auction Stakes
Hello Girl
Decent level of form on the all-weather over six furlongs but has to prove she can recover now over five.
Lucky Lucky Man
Ran over course and distance last time to a reasonable standard and looks a real improver.
Dreamboat Annie
An admirable type but highly unlikely to win under this sort of weight.
Zapateado
Looks a slow burner and needs lots of improvement here.
Mocead Cappall
Having bolted to post and not settled, we can upgrade her Nottingham run significantly. She’s trouble though and has been off since May.
77 Mocead Cappall
74 Hello Girl
73 Lucky Lucky Man
67 Dreamboat Annie
62 Zapateado
Summary
If she comes back a calmer individual, then MOCEAD CAPPALL could be a big price and may be worth taking a chance on. Hello Girl remains solid and is next best.
7.10 Windsor – 1m2f Handicap
Don’t Give Up
Lightly raced and with some decent form in the bag already, not necessarily that well treated though.
Chiefofchiefs
Returning to the scene of a good course and distance win in May and has gotten better since then.
Toulson
Strong form over ten furlongs this season including here, though he’s getting higher in the weights now.
Celebration Day
Took another step forward when winning here last time and may not have stopped improving just yet.
Seniority
The Queen gets to run this one round her back garden and based on last year’s debut he’d be very well handicap. Despite not settling over a mile, I can’t help wondering whether letting him owl along in front over 1m2f might be the way to go.
95 Chiefofchiefs
93 Toulson
92 Seniority
91 Celebration Day
91 Don’t Give Up
Summary
A change of tactics would be interesting for Seniority and Toulson should be there or thereabouts but ultimately CHIEFOFCHIEFS looks the one today.
7.50 Wolverhampton – 7f Handicap
Dusky Maid
Course and distance winner and improving all the time, a genuine favourite and tough to beat.
Flourishing
Made all to win her maiden easily in July and is capable of even better.
Many A Tale
May come on again for her run at Ffos Las but is probably just a tad high in the weights.
Clear As A Bell
Didn’t perform particularly well on this sort of surface at Newcastle which is a concern.
Loveatfirstsight
Keeps running well over course and distance and may well do the same again.
85 Flourishing
80 Dusky Maid
80 Loveatfirstsight
78 Many A Tale
73 Clear As A Bell
Summary
Sir Michael Stoute’s FLOURISHING may well live up to her name and can outclass this field. Dusky Maid and Loveatfirstsight look well treated too.