Timeform UK SmartPlays: Tuesday August 20

The fitting of cheekpieces appears to have elicited some improvement from North Pole and Sir Mark Prescott has found a nice opportunity for his three-year-old gelding to get off the mark in the 15:15 at Brighton. North Pole has finished second on his two most recent outings, showing improved form at Ffos Las last time when going down by less than a length having stuck to his task well in the closing stages. That effort came in a maiden but North Pole's mark was left unchanged and he looks on a fair mark stepping back into handicap company. He should take plenty of beating. 

We select another Sir Mark Prescott-trained horse in the following race at Brighton (15:45) as we take a chance on Alzavola bouncing back to form and confirming the impression that she is a filly heading in the right direction. A beaten 11/10 favourite at Bath last time, it is possible that she simply found the race coming too soon having justified good support at the same venue eight days earlier to score on her handicap debut. She looked promising on that occasion and it is well worth giving her another chance this afternoon.

George Baker caught the eye in no uncertain terms on his return from a seven-week break at Sandown last month and the implementation of positive tactics can see the six-year-old land Yarmouth's seven-furlong handicap at 16:30. Held up in rear at Sandown, George Baker met trouble as he attempted to launch his challenge, but made good progress once in the clear and stayed on strongly under a hands-and-heels ride. George Baker is usually ridden more forcefully than was the case at Sandown and a return to similar tactics is anticipated this afternoon with the excellent Ryan Moore set to take the ride.

Timeform UK SmartPlays:
Back North Pole @ 3.7511/4 in the 15:15 at Brighton
Back Alzavola @ 3.259/4 in the 15:45 at Brighton
Back George Baker @ 2.68/5 in the 16:30 at Yarmouth

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