The first contest under consideration is a six-furlong handicap from Nottingham (14:30) and it looks a competitive event. Although the unbeaten Red Primo clearly merits respect under Kieren Fallon and Souville is worth a market check, narrow preference is given to Gold Club. He showed signs of promise in a handful of maidens last summer and shaped very well on his seasonal reappearance this year, which was also his handicap debut. He was a good deal better than his third at Beverley suggested, hampered at a crucial stage and not able to get into the race after he found some daylight in the closing stages. He's sure to have come on for the run and it seems likely he'll prove a good deal better than his initial mark of 69 in the coming months.
We remain at Nottingham for our second bet of the day, a fillies' handicap over ten furlongs (15:30) which looks another informative contest. Thurayaat improved for the application of the hood when making all at Yarmouth last time, building on her maiden success at Wolverhampton in March. She had disappointed at Lingfield in between but gives the impression she is a filly whose best days are ahead of her and providing she is capable of progressing from her last start and turns up in the same mood, a 4 lb rise shouldn't be enough to stop her. That said, Heho and Kind Invitation are just two of many dangers and this will be a stiffer task for the selection than her last contest; she's expected to rise to it and make it two wins in her last two starts.
We head to Bath for the final bet of the day, a ten-furlong handicap (16:10) and the one to keep on side looks to be Spectator, who shaped very well when third on his handicap debut over a mile here last month. He made an encouraging start when fourth in a Brighton maiden in October and his most recent performance suggested the extra two furlongs he will encounter here look right up his street, as he was still going strongly at the line. There is undoubtedly more to come both at this trip and off his current mark, and he can use both those factors to his advantage this afternoon. Warwick winner Aurelia Cotta also has a lot more to offer and looks the chief threat, but the selection is taken to build on the promise of his last run at the expense of today's rivals.
Timeform UK SmartPlays
Back Gold Club @ 5.24/1 in the 14:30 at Nottingham
Back Thurayaat @ [15:30] in the 15:30 at Nottingham
Back Spectator @ 2.77/4 in the 16:10 at Bath
