/ Editor / 02 July 2007 / Leave a Comment

Alan Berry's fortunes have taken a definite turn for the better of late and he looks set to strike again with Katie Boo in Hamilton's Daily Record Handicap (16:15).

The mare was successful over course and distance last month and has since run a couple of solid races in defeat, including when just failing to last home in heavy ground over six furlongs at Haydock last time out.

The return to the minimum trip and the assistance of talented Tom Eaves in the saddle should ensure that Berry's five-year-old is seen at her best and she could well be good enough to make all the running. Therefore backers may find better odds available pre-race rather than in play.

Compton Classic looks a big danger to all. Jim Goldie's charge has been in cracking form of late with two wins at Carlisle and Musselburgh being followed by an excellent effort last week over course and distance when he came home well to be second to the fair sort Elkhorn. Gary Bartley's 7lb claim puts Compton Classic there with every chance and he should prove a good friend to backers in the place market at least.

Brut goes particularly well at this track and has already scored twice here this term, but the signs were that last time the handicapper had taken the measure of David Barker's gelding and he looks opposable in the win and possibly the place markets as well.

King's College Boy has been out of luck since scoring here nearly 12 months ago but, as a consequence, has now been given a chance by the handicapper. Overall he appears better on a decent surface although he does have form in the soft, but most significantly, he represents a yard (Richard Fahey) that have always to be feared when the money is down. Any strong support today would suggest that they are out to recover recent losses.

Monte Major failed by only a short-head to score at Newbury last week and has recently proved that he is just as capable on turf as he is on the all-weather tracks. Derek Shaw's six-year-old is another to have run creditably here in the past and his 'hold up' tactics could mean that he is offered at considerably longer odds in play than prior to the 'off'.

River Thames is saddled with top weight and, whilst nowhere near the force of old, is still capable in this grade. The concern though is the minimum trip as he has never won at anything other than six furlongs and, on balance he looks one for the layers to get stuck into.

Osiris bidding for four-timer

Pat Chammings had a dream run of form throughout June and will be hoping that his hat-trick scorer Osiris Way can add another to his tally in Lingfield's Tindle Newspapers Handicap (19:30).

The Indian Ridge gelding has proved a revelation since being dropped in trip to six furlongs and has continued to defy the handicapper, most recently battling on bravely to beat Barney McGrew at Newmarket. Backers and layers will doubtless have strong opinions as to whether or not the five-year-old will be able to score off his revised mark.

Another horse riding the crest of a wave at the moment is Stuart Williams' Mambazo, who has bolted in on his last two outings on the Polytrack and who goes in search of a 12 day hat-trick. The Dansili gelding gave the impression that there was still more to come when running away from Caustic Wit at Wolverhampton four days ago, but that was a couple of grades lower than this opposition and he should find things considerably tougher.

Mambazo tends to take a strong hold early in his races and, if doing so once again, may find himself struggling when push comes to shove at the business end of the contest. In-play layers could well be primed to step in and take advantage.

Milton Bradley's High Ridge looked to be coming to hand when running a promising race to be fourth at Bath last month. He runs off a mark 4lbs lower than when scoring over C&D last year and, with in-form apprentice Kevin Ghunowa claiming another 5lbs off his back, has to be a serious contender. Often slow to break, High Ridge will need plenty of luck to be able to deliver his challenge and in-players will be looking to take advantage should he encounter trouble in running.

China Cherub has a 100 % record at the course having won at Lingfield on only his second career start when breaking his maiden tag. He has also been in good form of late and could well be set to pounce late on under Richard Hughes, whose riding style is ideally suited to waiting to challenge at the last moment. In-play backers could easily be looking to have him on their side at the business end of the contest.

Silent Storm looks one to oppose as the drop back to six furlongs would appear far from ideal. His best form has been over seven furlongs and a mile and he could find things happening just a shade too quickly for him. Layers may be queueing up to oppose him in both the win and place markets.

Be Brave and consider Scotland

The ground at Thirsk on Tuesday night is likely to be heavy to bottomless and many horses will fail to cope with the underfoot conditions. One that is almost guaranteed to give of her best in the mud though is James Bethell's Scotland The Brave, who lines up for the Weatherby's Bloodstock Insurance handicap (19:15).

The seven-year-old mare has been a good servant to connections and should be cherry ripe after two outings this term. Her form last season in the mud gives her every chance at the weights and she looks a solid back in both the win and place markets.

The drop back to seven furlongs may not suit recent course scorer Efidium, who came with a late rattle over a mile and, despite the testing conditions, may end up with a shade too much to do this time around. Whilst he may eventually stay on for a place, he looks worth opposing in the win market off his new mark.

Any market support for David Barons' locally trainer Skyelady would be interesting as she has run well in the soft before, but Barons' second runner Rigat looks up against it having only ever shown his best form when he can hear his hooves rattle. Layers may be prepared to stand up to Rigat at fancy prices in the place market.

Another that may well be strongly opposed is top weight Angaric, even though his trainer Bryan Smart is in sensational form. The combination of ten stone and deep ground should be against the Pivotal gelding who, unlike many of his sire's progeny, seems far better on a sound surface.

Even though Petite Mac only won a lowly claimer last time she does at least handle conditions well and, with Andy Elliott claiming a further 3lbs off her back, she could give supporters a good run for their money at decent odds. Some investors may look to get on at a fair price pre-race, before trying to lay-off in play - ending up with a 'bet to nothing'.

Two races in the space of 24 hours took their toll on The Osteopath last month, but after a refreshing break he may well bounce back to form. The market should provide some indication of what is expected on this occasion.