All three of today's selections are well-treated handicappers that ought to be shorter, starting with Waking Warrior in the 15:00. Current favourite for that race is Waseem Faris, who is admittedly consistent, but he probably doesn't have much in hand from his mark. Conversely, we know that Waking Warrior can win from his current BHA rating, as he was successful from 2 lb higher back in January. He hasn't quite hit the same heights since, but he looked in the form to do so when a strong-finishing third at Beverley last time and can go close if not set so much to do on this occasion.
The market in the 16:00 at the same course looks to be a three-way tussle between the consistent Someone's Darling and the unexposed pair of Bousatet and Dennis. The feeling is that the last-named should be a clear favourite, having greater scope to progress than Someone's Darling and being on a sharper upward curve than Bousatet on the evidence to date. Dennis was a winner on his handicap debut last time, prevailing by a neck against a group of similarly unexposed rivals. He ought to improve again for this more testing seven furlongs even before allowing for natural progress, so Dennis looks to offer real value at around the 5.04/1 mark.
Finally we visit Windsor, where the last race (20:00) offers the most obvious case of a horse's rivals making them good value. With such sexy connections, Playbill is currently favourite, whereas the small matter of form points to Saucy Minx having a better chance. Amanda Perrett's charge has been on the up since late-spring, winning a couple of good races at Goodwood and having reason to mark her up above the bare result on each of her last two starts. Back at Goodwood's Glorious meeting last time, for example, Saucy Minx travelled as well as any only to meet trouble once asked for her all. Now back in less exalted company, a price north of 3.02/1 undersells her.
Timeform UK SmartPlays
Back Waking Warrior @ 6.411/2 in the 15:00 Thirsk
Back Dennis @ 5.24/1 in the 16:00 Thirsk
Back Saucy Minx @ 3.052/1 in the 20:00 Windsor
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