A6 A7 A8 / Editor / 27 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Sopranos Spirit (T1) and Witness Box (T3) appear the pick of the pack in Oxford's opening A9 contest, run over 450 metres and due underway at 14:21.

Sopranos Spirit (T1) has lost his last nine races, but would not need to be anything out of the ordinary to feature in a weak renewal. Gil Hepden's charge tends to fall asleep as the traps fly open, but is expected to be doing sterling work in the latter phases.

Sams Baby (T2) would probably have been better suited to the rails slot and looks prone to finding trouble. Michael Peterson's candidate should be outspeeded by Witness Box (T3) at the corner, and will need to be at her best to be in the mix.

Witness Box (T3) confirmed his well being with a fluent display in a similar event three weeks ago. Angie Kibble's challenger is blessed with natural opening speed and looks capable of making them all go in the early stages.

La Paz (T4) looked in need of the outing when finishing at the rear on her first run for around two months. Ron Bicknell's individual was racing in A7 class earlier in the year and cannot be ruled out in an open event.

Riverbank Bullet (T5) has been soundly beaten in all of his last six races and seems to be finding all the trouble spots nowadays. With Pat Curtin's contender needing to improve on the clock, backers may well decide to look elsewhere for the winner.

Ardmayle Court (T6) appears to have lost the plot in recent weeks, and has managed only one win in his last 23 outings. Luciano Magnasco's charge has been starting at big prices recently and looks to face an uphill battle in this company.

Zigzag and Marley the choices in A7

Zigzag Duty (T1) and Marley Bob (T6) look the pair to concentrate on in Oxford's A7 contest, run over 450 metres and due underway at 16:37.

Zigzag Duty (T1) may not be in the first flush of youth, but is trapping as good as ever nowadays. John Mayo's challenger was racing in A4 company last November and looks well up to the task.

Roughan Blueboy (T2) will strain every sinew in a bid to be upsides Zigzag Duty (T1) at the corner, but may just fall short in that department. However, Gil Hepden's candidate looks a progressive type and the youngster cannot be ignored.

Keetona Ace (T3) looked in fine fettle when landing an A6 in March, but has been on a downward spiral ever since. With Terry Kibble's contestant currently on an 11-race losing run, backers are entitled to run a mile.

Shellgrove Kelly (T4) has had three starts to date. After being crowded out on her debut, she then proceeded to check up at the corner on her next outing before stumbling on leaving the traps last time. Gloria Stringer's lightly campaigned character looks open to more improvement than the majority of her rivals, but looks untrustworthy for the time being.

Micks Four (T5) appears to take an age to become competitive after leaving the machine. However, Michael Peterson's performer is expected to produce his best work after halfway and is not out of the tricky puzzle.

Marley Bob (T6) has tasted defeat in his last nine races, but has been highly tried on occasions. Terry Atkins' charge landed an A6 two months ago and is expected to be on the premises early doors.

Idea and Charlies to dominate A3

Idea Good (T1) and Charlies Chaz (T3) possess the pace to take the field along in the concluding A3 contest, run over 450 metres and due underway at 17:44.

Idea Good (T1) looks to have plenty in her favour. Robert Hannan's railer has the coveted red jacket, she boasts the fastest pace in the line-up and has managed to escape a penalty following successive wins in the grade.

Lefanta Slippy (T2) appears to need further nowadays. Pat Curtin's candidate is slow to react to the opening of the traps, and may well be playing catch-up from the outset.

Charlies Chaz (T3) will try his little heart out to challenge Idea Good (T1) in the initial stages, and should not be far away at the turn. Maurice Massey's consistent performer has little to find on the clock and looks a dangerous opponent.

Ruud Devil (T4) has displayed improved form of late to land two of his last four outings. Angie Kibble's representative's forte is his middle pace and the old hand cannot be discarded with a clear run.

Hairy Moment (T5) is a lightly campaigned contestant who is open to more improvement on paper than the majority of his rivals. However, on learning that Luciano Magnasco's runner is without a win at the level after eight bites of the cherry, backers are likely to look elsewhere for the winner.

High St Tom (T6) has landed two of his last six races at the grade, and is no forlorn hope. Ian Wills' wide seed is capable of blasting the boxes open on his day and is the nippiest contender on the clock.