/ Editor / 15 June 2007 /

David Barron is a man the bookies fear when he attempts to raid the southern coffers and the Thirsk-based handler heads to Sandown with Partners In Jazz, a likely sort to land the spoils in the RBS Handicap (14:25).

Now verging on listed class, Partners In Jazz runs off a mark of 99 but could still take some stopping despite the steadier of ten stone, having run a blinder when a gallant fourth of 28 in the Victoria Cup at Ascot last month. Jamie Spencer has been booked to take the ride and his quiet style could be just the ticket, as the six-year-old needs to be held up before swooping with a telling late run.

He looks the perfect vehicle for in-play backers to profit from - there will be many layers glancing mid-race to see the top weight at the back of the field and will doubtless be prepared to wager that he will end up with more in front than behind. The grey's record however, suggests that he should go very close and he looks one to keep on the right side.

Black Charmer was a smart two-year-old but lost his way completely in his next season. He showed vague signs of a return to something approaching his old form when fifth at York on his penultimate start, but ran like a horse with a problem at Ripon last week. With his trainer, Mark Johnston, rightly held in high regard, he could well go off a far shorter price than his form entitles him to be and he looks a solid lay in the win market and may also struggle to reach a place.

Binanti looks another for the layers having failed to get his head in front for an eternity. Although he ran well enough last time to be second at Goodwood, he once again found precious little for pressure and in-play layers will be poised to take their share out of this 'bridle' horse.
Wavertree Warrior bids to win this race for the second year running, but 12 months ago he came into the race on the top of his game whilst this time around he has been struggling to get involved off his higher mark. Trainer Nick Littmodden has opted to use 7lb claimer Jack Mitchell to give his charge a sporting chance at the weights, but his rider's relative inexperience could be costly and it will be a surprise if he is good enough in a decent renewal.

Krugerrand to roll back the years
Willie Musson's Krugerrand won York's Cadogan Silver Salver Handicap Stakes (14:45) in both 2003 and 2004 and despite advancing years, looks an interesting contender once again for his favourite race.

The eight-year-old was something of a fast ground performer in his youth, but has appeared equally at home with give in the ground in recent seasons and with plenty of rain having fallen on the Knavesmire in the last 48 hours, he should be amongst a handful of runners in the event who will still be able to handle conditions (the meeting is subject to a 4:30pm inspection Friday).
He showed he was no back number when beaten just over a length in this race last year, and later on in the term went on to score well at Windsor. Eddie Ahern will be in the saddle and Krugerrand looks set to run a big race, so should reward support in the place market at least.

Many observers put Raptor in the 'horses to follow' column after the ex-German racer made his debut under ten stones in the Lincoln Handicap and ran a blinder to finish fourth. He hasn't been seen since, and Karl Burke has clearly been looking for the right opportunity for him, so with the soft ground sure to suit he could prove a danger to all. Fancied runners from the Spigot Lodge stables rarely go un-backed, so any early market support would be well worth heeding.

Sir Michael Stoute's Queen's Best looks sure to have her supporters but it is beginning to look as if she is in the grip of the handicapper and may be worth opposing in the win market. Meanwhile, Babodana has failed to really sparkle this term and is another to take on in the same market.

The ground has gone against Granston, who seems better these days when he can hear his hooves rattle, so he looks worth taking on in the place market, but any money for Willie Musson's second representative Folio would be interesting as his shrewd handler is well capable of plotting a coup.

Do as Oldjoe says
Henry Candy's horses have generally been running well in recent weeks and his Oldjoesaid looks to have particularly solid claims in the City Life and County Living Magazine Handicap (19:45), the feature event of Leicester's six-race evening fixture.

A progressive juvenile last term, Oldjoesaid chased home the talented Sakhee's Secret before landing two events at the back end of the season. His reappearance effort when a solid runner-up to Lipocco at Salisbury showed that he has trained on, with the drop back to five furlongs looking ideal as he has bags of early pace and maybe just failed to last home over the extra yardage six weeks ago.

For those who like to play the percentages, Candy's charge looks a ready made 'back to lay' as he should trade shorter in running than pre-race due to his confirmed style of racing right up with the pace.

Fathom Five could well prove to be the biggest danger to Oldjoesaid having won in grand style at HQ last time out. He has been raised 8lbs for his troubles but the booking of Frankie Dettori suggests that Bryan Smart's colt will offer plenty of resistance. However, the rise in the weights and the fact that he is unlikely to get his own way up front may well prompt some layers to step in and take a chance that he won't follow up his recent success.

Ebn Reem is another potential pacesetter and drops back to the minimum trip for the first time in his career. Trainer Michael Jarvis won this race two years ago with the decent One Putra and has a 22% strike rate in this type of event at Leicester. His colt has to be respected, but of late it has very much looked as if Ebn Reem is in the grip of the handicapper and he will do well to score under these terms. He looks worth opposing in the win market, but may well justify support for a place.

Valley Of The Moon needs everything to fall just right for her and Richard Fahey's filly will have to come from off a likely strong pace to get on the scoresheet. The drop in trip from six furlongs is another question mark and on balance she looks one for layers to oppose.

If there is to be a surprise then Mambo Spirit might be the one to provide it. He didn't get home over six furlongs recently at Newmarket but will be better suited by this trip, and his yard (James Given) has been in good form of late. Any market move for the gelding could well be worth following.

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>