A6 A7 A8 / Editor / 29 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Chilli Cheetah (T2), formerly a six-bend stayer, looks worth an interest on her debut at the grade in Oxford's opening A9 contest run over 450 metres and due underway at 14:21.

Roddymoore Jade (T1) is hard to flag up with confidence on recent evidence. With Terry Atkins' contender having lost all of her last seven races, and needing to travel appreciably quicker on the clock, backers are likely to look elsewhere for the winner.

Chilli Cheetah (T2) boasts plenty of all-round pace, and should appreciate the drop in class after two last place finishes in better company. With Terry Kibble's performer boasting the best time on the clock, the daughter of Pacific Mile would not need to be anything out of the ordinary to make a winning A9 debut.

Blackthorn Poppy (T3) has made a hugely disappointing start to her career, and is still awaiting her first win after 14 outings to date. Although Maurice Massey's challenger is expected to go off at cramped odds judged on the tissue prices, a lay is surely the best way to go.

Captain Jo (T4) has been repeatedly finding trouble in-running in recent weeks. With Angie Kibble's golden oldie having tasted defeat in each of his last 14 races, layers are likely to step in.

Bronwyns Wish (T5) is the most lightly campaigned runner in the line-up, and should be open to more improvement than the majority of her rivals. Pat Curtin's maiden looks capable of a peppy start, and is expected to finish thereabouts.

West Ranger (T6) is another maiden after eight lifetime outings. Although Gil Hepden's contestant takes his time on leaving the gates, the son of Rapid Ranger should be doing sterling work in the latter phases.

Scootalong to scoot along in A8

Scootalong Holly (T2) has shown enough promise in six career outings to suggest that she can get off the mark in the A8 contest run over 450 metres and due underway at 16:22.

Quivers Model (T1) looks open to plenty of improvement after just four lifetime runs. Gloria Stringer's challenger tends to move off the rails, though, and will need to keep a straight line to avoid the traffic jams.

Scootalong Holly (T2) would be, dare we say it, a certainty on her best form. With Terry Kibble's individual having recorded a sizzling 27.59 when last seen in the grade, a reproduction of that superb effort would almost certainly be good enough.

Young Frankie (T3) is generally slow to move up the gears at trap rise and is likely to give himself plenty to do. However, Terry Kibble's contender ended a 17-race losing run when successful in a similar event last week, and cannot be ruled out.

Sooty Dandy (T4) got off the mark at the fifth time of asking and seems to be going the right way. Gil Hepden's pup will strain every sinew in a bid to hit the front at the corner, and cannot be disregarded with a clear passage.

Suffering Mick (T5) has been making his supporters suffer in recent weeks. With Paul Clarke's veteran having won only one race from his last 18 outings, backers are expected to tread warily.

Kildalkey Flash (T6) looks a serious opponent. Although Robert Hannan's wide seed lacks in the early pace department, the son of Honcho Classic has won two races from three starts at the grade. The durable individual looks set to command plenty of support as a result.


Nannys Flower to bloom in A3

Nannys Flower (T3) appears to tick the boxes in the closing Stan James Bookmakers Stakes run over 450 metres and due underway at 17:44.

Watch My Back (T1) has gone virtually unbacked in recent weeks. Michael Peterson's sluggish starter is likely to be left behind by the nippy front-runners, and cannot be recommended with confidence.

Burwood Jay Low (T2), formerly an A1 hound, seems to be getting a bit long in the tooth. However, with John Mayo's challenger not needing to improve much on the clock, the old hand boasts claims with a peppy start.

Nannys Flower (T3) possesses explosive pace in abundance, and should be able to race clear at the turn with a trademark swift exit. With Angie Kibble's likeable veteran boasting a 25 per cent winning strike-rate at the grade, she is expected to
command plenty of market attention.

Broadacres Spice (T4) has shown little in two outings at the level, but is undoubtedly capable of improving in due course with a clear run. Angie Kibble's contestant should be doing sterling work in the latter stages, and enters the equation.

Lemon Fire (T5), an ex-Irish import, has failed to cut the mustard since joining current connections. With Ian Wills' frustrating character still without a win after 11 outings around the Sandy Lane circuit, the November 03 veteran may well attract several layers.

Droopys Duran (T6) has a tendency to race very wide at the turns, and can ill afford any mistakes in this company. Pat Curtin's charge will be staying on when many have cried enough.