/ Editor / 14 June 2007 /

Gleaming Spirit showed enough on his latest start to suggest Sandown's 5f Handicap at 14:40, could be well within his grasp.

The Alan Jarvis-trained three-year-old showed signs of promise in his three outings in maiden company, but it was last Saturday's handicap debut at Goodwood which really caught the eye. Always moving sweetly, Gleaming Spirit only gave best to the hot-favourite, Drifting Gold, inside the final 50 yards.

That was clearly a much-improved effort and if connections feel he's capable of stepping up again, doubtless it will be reflected by positive trades in the win and place markets.

Competition is stiff, none more so than from Halcion Chancer, beaten only once in three polytrack outings. The booking of Frankie Dettori for John Best's sprinter gives every indication that the three-year-old will be ready for business, despite a 100-day break from action.

David Barker's progressive filly Darcy's Pride has won two on the bounce at Newcastle and Carlisle, however she's been re-assessed and is now a whopping 13lbs higher, an alarming hike which is sure to tempt some layers into the betting jungle.

The form of Sundae's Nottingham 6f maiden triumph looks solid enough, but Chris Wall's decision to drop his gelding back to the minimum distance might not be what the doctor ordered.

Seb Sanders is flying high at the head of the flat jockey's championship, so his presence aboard long-time absentee Gentle Guru is worth a mental note. If the cash-flow in the win market points towards a strong showing from Gentle Guru, it'll likely mean she's fit despite not having raced for 245 days.

When the filly did run last, it resulted in a battling 6f soft-ground Warwick success, which could be all the more relevant if there's any rain about at the south London venue.

Three seconds from six starts by no means infers Castano is a professional loser, in fact he gave generously for pressure when beaten a short-head at Nottingham (5f), and could once again reward those backers sticking to a place only formula style of investment.

Nevada to take advantage of low draw

A round course low draw often confers an advantage on the Knavesmire, therefore Nevada Desert must enter calculations from stall two in York's Helmsley Handicap at 14:50.

The 1m1f trip on rain-softened ground is just about perfect for Richard Whitaker's charge, who has the excellent Michael Stainton easing his load by an invaluable 5lbs.

Nevada Desert is gradually coming to hand and didn't run at all badly when third behind Yakimov at Southwell (1m), a race in which Stolen Moments finished a length-and-a-quarter in front of him. Now a full 6lbs better off, plus with the benefit of a far superior stall position, Stainton's mount looks poised to get his revenge.

Richard Fahey's Peruvian Prince returned to form with a 25-1 shock success at Haydock (1m3f) last Friday. The drop in trip and 6lb penalty could make life difficult for the gelding, who is also not certain to appreciate any give underfoot.

Logsdail has taken maximum toll of some leniency by the handicapper to bag an impressive Goodwood (1m1f) brace. He acts on any ground and will have plenty of supporters, however he's now shot back up the weights and some will oppose him for that reason alone.

Trading should theoretically reveal which of Tim Easterby's pair, Flighty Fellow and Harvest Warrior, is preferred by stable insiders. One clue could revolve around the fact Easterby's regular rider, David Allan, has opted to partner the admirably consistent Harvest Warrior, who hasn't finished out of the first two on his last three starts.

Flighty Fellow, a six-time previous winner, is no mug although his stamina beyond 1m is unproven - solid enough substance for many to take a lay stance.

Alan Swinbank's yard are always to be feared when the cash is down, so any money for Prince Evelith needs duly noting. Swinbank's four-year-old opened his pipes with a fair comeback run just last weekend, an encouraging fifth-placed effort which suggests the talented four-year-old could be ripe for both win and place support.

Tompkins bidding add to fine York record

Gee Dee Nen (15:25) boasts the right credentials to add to an already fine record at York for trainer Mark Tompkins, in the 2m 88y HSS Hire Handicap.

Despite a thumping five length victory at Thirsk (2m) on his penultimate start, the four-year-old gelding is only 4lbs higher in the ratings. Neither was there anything wrong with Gee Dee Nen's most recent outing when fourth at Goodwood, a race in which Noble Minstrel finished a couple of lengths ahead of him in second spot.

Gee Dee Nen is now 5lbs better off with Noble Minstrel, which combined with the easy ground he so loves, may well enable the Tompkins' raider to turn the tables.

There was no doubting the resolution of Kayf Aramis when he out-slugged Trance to collect at this course over 2m2f in May. The former has since disappointed, but Trance gave the form a boost by getting his head back in front at Ayr last time out. The weights suggest there shouldn't be too much between the pair in this re-match, so it could be advisable to monitor the markets.

Macorville is probably the classiest horse in the field, however having won three-in-a-row last season the handicapper has him more-or-less covered at present. That said, there might be improvement left in George Moore's charge and if trading speaks in his favour, a small win and place might not come amiss.

Any money for Beldon Hill must be of interest. Richard Fahey has his string in excellent fettle and having won three from her last five on the all-weather, might still be on the upgrade.

Ex-Godolphin performer, Double Deputy, didn't cut much ice over hurdles during the winter and is probably one for the layers, a remark which also applies to the woefully out-of-sorts Kyoto Summit.

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>