Timeform UK SmartPlays: Wednesday July 24

We start at Worcester, which is a meeting of end-to-end mediocrity, though that only helps genuinely interesting sorts stand out. A good case in point would be Standing Ovation (14:50), who wouldn't stand out in good winter handicaps but looks by far the most attractive proposition in today's nine-strong field. Bred to be a fair staying chaser, he has shown better signs since being switched to fences this summer, left with too much to do when fourth in a Newton Abbot handicap last time. Given a big chanced by the handicapper, especially considering his bumper form, Standing Ovation is well worth chancing here, with any strength in the market a real positive.

There's already been a market move for our second SmartPlay, but again it can only be taken as a positive. Crowdmania (15:00 Catterick) has looked ready for a step up to seven furlongs on recent maiden starts, something his pedigree backs up, and with him being handed a seemingly lenient starting mark on the basis of two of his three starts he is taken to get off the mark upped to a more suitable trip, even though it's on a notably sharp track. The fact this is an early nursery is a further positive for backers of Crowdmania, with a good number of his rivals being given inexplicably harsh initial marks.

We have to wait for our final selection, which comes in the 19:15 at Leicester. Each of the three remaining runners have something to recommend them, but with Nave now ruled out the path really does seem clear for Mankini. A typically Luca Cumani slow-burner, Mankini started from a low platform this year but has quickly improved, winning either side of finishing second to another improver here in June. Today's trip ought to be more suitable for Mankini, whose dam won the Oaks d'Italia, and despite a 12 lb rise for his demolition job at Doncaster last time he must be top of any list again, the indications being that he'll ultimately prove a good deal better than a BHA mark of 76. 

Timeform UK SmartPlays

Back Standing Ovation @ 2.767/4 in the 14:50 Worcester
Back Crowdmania @ 2.1411/10 in the 15:00 Catterick
Back Mankini @ 1.715/7 in the 19:15 Leicester

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