A6 A7 A8 / Editor / 13 May 2007 / Leave a Comment

Emmas Rex (T1) and Deanfield Bobby (T3) look the pair to concentrate on in Oxford's opening A9 contest run over 450 metres and due underway at 14:21.

Emmas Rex (T1) looks most likely to dominate proceedings from the inside. Maurice Massey's individual takes a drop in grade after tackling A8 events for her last two outings, and he should take the beating.

Sams Baby (T2), formerly rated A5 class at Milton Keynes, is still lightly campaigned around the Sandy Lane circuit. However, with Michael Peterson's representative slow to react to the opening of the traps, layers are likely to emerge as the winners.

Deanfield Bobby (T3) looks an interesting prospect. Although Ron Bicknell's youngster has something to find on the stopwatch, he appeared in good heart when coming from well off the pace to land a similar contest last month. Open to more improvement than the majority of his rivals, he looks set to be in the mix.

Scaldy Nora (T4) should have no problems in the staying department with Ian Wills' contestant having won a six-bend event last month. However, she looks in danger of being outpaced at the turn, and is not one to trust.

Derryhogan Fifi (T5) came through with a strong late burst to snatch an A7 contest in February but has struggled ever since. With Gloria Stringer's competitor currently on a nine-race losing run, backers are advised to tread warily.

Galbertstown Kay (T6), formerly an A3 class hound, appears to be on a downward spiral nowadays. Gil Hepden's challenger tends to lose ground by running wide at the turns, and is hard to flag up with confidence following 11 consecutive defeats.

'Snazzy' and 'Witness' the chief players in A9

Snazzy Moon (T3) and Witness Box (T4) look worth chancing in the A9 contest run over 450 metres and due underway at 16:08.

Roddymoor Jade (T1) will try her little heart out to reach the first turn unscathed, but is expected to fall short in that department. With Terry Atkins' contender having tasted defeat in all of her last nine races, she appears to have plenty to prove.

Sopranos Spirit (T2) is at least open to some improvement with only 11 outings under his belt. However, Gil Hepden's pup should struggle to lead at the corner, and may well find himself in a traffic jam.

Snazzy Moon (T3) boasts the most potential in the field after four career starts at the A8 level. Ron Bicknell's promising contestant looks to have her best opportunity to date trying the grade for the first time.

Witness Box (T4) had Roddymoor Jade (T1) two-and-a-half lengths behind when successful last week. Angie Kibble's challenger boasts the strongest early pace in the contest, and is expected to be out in front at the turn.

Greencroft Dan (T5) is not the force of old nowadays. Although Maurice Massey's individual looks capable of a peppy start, she will need plenty of luck in-running.

Ardmayle Court (T6) is set for a drop in class after attracting little support when beaten in all of his last five A8 races. However, backers are likely to run a mile on learning that Luciano Magnasco's charge has won only one of his last 21 starts.

Strong Jack looks good in A3

Strong Jack (T4) possesses pace in abundance, and should take around two lengths out of the field should the pads connect at lid rise in the closing A3 contest run over 450 metres and due underway at 17:44.

Ninth Life (T1) ended an 11-race losing sequence when securing a narrow victory at the level nearly a fortnight ago. Although Michael Peterson's individual is in good form, the youngster has a lot to find on the calculated clock.

Taking Liberties (T2) has made solid progress through the graded structure since landing an A9 contest last August. Pat Curtin's contender posted a phenomenal 27.29 when filling the runner's-up slot in A2 company three months ago, and a repeat of that swift performance would see the December 2004 whelp go close.

Charlies Chaz (T3) will strain every sinew in a bold bid to hit the front at the corner, but is unlikely to achieve that feat with Strong Jack (T4) in attendance. However, Maurice Massey's challenger finished ahead of Taking Liberties (T2) last week, and should at least confirm the placings.

Strong Jack (T4) looks the percentage call. The winner of two races from his last four outings at the grade, Luciano Magnasco's competitor confirmed his wellbeing when making all to land an A3 contest last week. With no penalty incurred for that success, the grand old stager can make all the running.

Evies Rocket (T5) was A1 class three months ago, and cannot be ruled out. Pat Curtin's representative will need his best break for some time, however, to stay with the front-running Strong Jack (T4).

Eden Stone (T6) comes here in sparkling form having won two of his last five races. John Mayo's contestant came from a long way back to score on both occasions, but will need to travel quicker on the clock to figure in the finish at this level.