/ Editor / 12 June 2007 /

Dark to charm punters at Beverley

After an indifferent start to this season, Dark Charm showed signs he was returning to winning form last time out at Redcar and he may prove too strong for his rivals at Beverley (15:20).

Richard Fahey's eight-year-old was in useful form this time last season, when winning at Haydock before producing a string of useful performances in defeat in the north as well as at Newmarket in July.

His latest effort, albeit in a slowly run contest, went some way to suggesting he was about to return to that level of form. If capable of doing so he looks handicapped to beat all his rivals here with strong market support likely to suggest the stable feel him capable of doing himself justice.

Mark Johnston's Sir Arthur proved a game winner over course and distance last season but has flopped badly on a couple of times since, suggesting he is not one to rely upon totally. That said, he has now strung together three consistent performances and, if able to build on them, he could run a solid race. The four-year-old can be expected to race prominently and, if getting the run of the race, may prove hard to peg back in the closing stages.

Although Bessemer has proved this trip is not beyond him, the six-year-old has been campaigned at much shorter distances of late. It was perhaps the way he was staying on well in the closing stages of his last outing that persuaded connections to take their chance over this longer trip. The gelding boasts the best form in the race (his second in an Epsom claimer this time last season reads particularly well) and if the contest does not test his stamina and the ground remains on the fast side, traders would be unwise to dismiss him too quickly.

Zaif would have a squeak based on some of the form he showed last season most notably at Epsom and Ascot. However, the gelding has begun this season in tame fashion and, unless there is notable market support, his current level of form would suggest he may be popular with layers across all the markets.

From top to bottom for veteran

Veteran Katiypour can race from the bottom of the handicap in the seven-furlong contest at Kempton (20:50), a race in which the gelding ran respectably last season carrying top weight.

His fall down the handicap can arguably be described as a rare act of mercy by the handicapper, considering the consistent ten-year-old has finished in the places in half of his starts since being beaten less than four lengths in this contest last season.

Philip Mitchell's charge has already shown his well-being this season with a solid effort at Lingfield in a race run in a good time for conditions. A repeat of that effort from his well drawn position here should see him go close and he could represent the value in a competitive contest.

Sun Catcher has the better of Katiypour at the weights on their run behind Binnion Bay at Lingfield and has since put in two useful efforts on turf - not being beaten far at Warwick and Goodwood.

A horse who likes to take a keen hold, in-play traders may want to check on his early progress as any energy lost in the early stages could cost his supporters dear at the business end of the race. If, however, the gelding can settle in the hands of Richard Hughes, the four-year-old certainly has the form in the book and the consistency to be a threat in the closing stages.

His Master's Voice has a wonderfully progressive profile, losing out on his last two starts despite showing improvement on previous good efforts when winning at Lingfield over this trip and other consistent efforts.

Expect jockey Eddie Ahern to have him well placed throughout just behind the leaders before making his move with a couple of furlongs to travel. If continuing his improvement the colt could prove hard to beat but should the handicapper have finally got his measure, connections may once again have to settle for minor honours.

Josh has been a fairly consistent performer throughout his career and although it is a long time since his last victory, the handicapper has given him a slight respite. Capable on the AW and suited by this trip, it will be interesting to see the level of market support for the five-year-old's first run for 126 days. Having run well fresh in the past, it will be interesting to see how he fares but it is arguable he may have to wait until the handicapper relents again before he gets his head in front.

Copernican can for Prescott

Backing Sir Mark Prescott's handicap horses at odd-on is an acquired taste. They rarely win in good style and tend to only just do enough. Traders have a chance in Brighton's feature race (11:11) to put their nerve to the test once again.

Copernican was well supported to get off the mark in an average Hamilton handicap last time out and, despite running fairly green, did his job well in the closing stages in a race run in a good time.

The stable is in remarkable form at the moment with its last eight runners either winning or being placed. While Copernican will face some more experienced rivals here, his form still stands out and it may take a brave trader to go against the trainer who has this horse well entered up in the next few days in the hope of building up a sequence.

His biggest danger looks to be King Of The Beers who showed he was a useful sort when accounting for a competitive field at Wolverhampton last time out, scoring by an impressive margin.

On the negative side, the colt must race on a lightning quick surface here on which he is unproven and this huge stamp of a horse is not certain to be suited to the undulations of this track. That said it was a good effort on the AW on his latest start and the grey may be better odds than the likely favourite simply to secure a place.

Barry Hills' Lightning Queen improved for each run last season and showed similar improvement on her second start this term. If progressing again, the filly is another who could rate value in the place market.

Pagan Rules was not disgraced on his only try over this trip on his seasonal reappearance three weeks ago. Having shown a bit of form over a shorter distance, it will be interesting to see the level of market support for Amanda Perrett's gelding.

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