Betfair Official Blog

Blackthorn to thrive in A9

Blackthorn Sooty (T4) is set to have only her third race of the year, but looks capable of a big run in Oxford's opening A9 contest run over 450 metres and due underway at 14:21.

Sopranos Spirit (T1) caused an upset when landing his first event in 10 outings last week, and cannot be ruled out. However, Gil Hepden's railer tends to have his eyes closed as the traps fall open, and is not certain to run two races alike.

Sams Baby (T2) finished at the tail end of the field behind Sopranos Spirit (T1) last weekend and has two-and-three-quarter lengths to find on her next-door neighbour. Although Michael Peterson's candidate is expected to start as one of the leading fancies judged on the tissue prices, backers are likely to turn into layers on learning that the frustrating greybeard has tasted defeat in all of her last 11 outings.

Quivers Champ (T3) is lightly raced and open to plenty of improvement after six career starts. Gloria Stringer's challenger is the joint-fastest on the calculated clock, and would hold genuine claims if able to clear T1 and T2 at the turn.

Blackthorn Sooty (T4) looked a shade ring rusty on her first start for around five months before performing with credit in defeat 11 days ago. Those two outings should have blown the cobwebs away, and Maurice Massey's contender can produce an improved display from the front.

Island Black (T5) is expected to be left behind by the nippier front-runners in the early stages, and will probably be playing catch-up from the outset. Terry Kibble's competitor has been defeated in all of his last nine outings at the grade and is difficult to flag up with confidence.

Riverbank Bullet (T6) will try his little heart out to reach the corner on the bunny and should not be far away in a race that is distinctly lacking in the early pace department. Ideally drawn out wide, Pat Curtin's representative should be in the mix in a clean-run contest.

Witness and Fawn to star in A7

The peppy Witness Box (T3) and the strong stayer Fawn Slippy (T6) look the pair to concentrate on in the A7 contest run over 450 metres and due underway at 16:37.

Shellgrove Miss (T1) looks unlikely to be troubling the pacemakers early doors, and is expected to be left with a lot to do at the corner. Gloria Stringer's veteran is the slowest on the stop watch and improvement is a must to figure in the finish.

Blue Baileys (T2) boasts a 25 percent winning strike-rate at the level, and she gained her last win in A6 company in January. Pat Curtin's candidate has been on a downward spiral ever since, but she would not be far off the big players with a reproduction of last month's sizzling 27.91 trial.

Witness Box (T3) comes here in rude health, having landed two of his last three races. It was his strong early firepower that won the day on each occasion, and Angie Kibble's individual looks to boast decent prospects with a peppy exit.

Time For Kim (T4) was recording fast sectional times on a regular basis in April, but appears to have taken her foot off the pedal in recent weeks. Formerly an A5 grader, Ian Wills' bitch looks up to the class if she can recapture her trapping prowess.

Moorlough John (T5) won three races when based in Ireland but has not yet produced a similar level of form since joining current connections. Terry Kibble's old stager has managed only one success from 14 starts around the Sandy Lane circuit, and will probably be doing his best work from halfway.

Fawn Slippy (T6) is not expected to feature amongst the front-runners, but packs a decisive finishing kick. Pat Curtin's wide seed is the quickest on the calculated clock, and is expected to command plenty of market attention.

Sober Rocket for take-off in A3

Sober Rocket (T3) boasts easily the hottest pace in the race and is expected to put on a show in the concluding A3 contest run over 450 metres and due underway at 17:44.

Burwood Jay Low (T1) has been struggling to become competitive from the gates in recent weeks and may find herself left behind early doors. However, John Mayo's candidate showed improved form to land an A4 last month and will be doing sterling work in the latter phases.

Nonas Wellott (T2), a tough and consistent individual, is normally thereabouts in her races. Maurice Massey's golden oldie is the quickest on the calculated clock and enters the equation.

Sober Rocket (T3) comes here in fine fettle, having landed her last two races in all-the-way fashion. Michael Peterson's contestant is easily the quickest to react to the opening of the traps and a bold front-running show looks on the cards.

Ballyboy Woods (T4) will try every inch of the way to match Sober Rocket (T3) for pace in the initial phases and should not be far off the lead at the turn. Angie Kibble's contender has won two of his last five races at this level and cannot be brushed aside.

Ballymac Field (T5) is the slowest on the stop watch and has tasted defeat in each of his last nine outings in the grade. However, Maurice Massey's challenger is more than capable of a sharp exit on his day and is no forlorn hope.

High St Tom (T6) has not been trapping with his old fluency in recent weeks and is expected to struggle to stay in the hunt at the corner. However, Ian Wills' competitor produced a fine turn of foot when landing a similar event in April and cannot be ignored.