Timeform's US team bring you their three best bets for Monday night's stateside action...
"A winner of a similar race to this back in July, Arkle Park has run four solid placed efforts in the interim..."
We kick off a little earlier than usual and there could be some mileage in taking on the front two in the market in the first race at Suffolk Downs (17:45 BST). Osterville was behind one of today's rivals, Silk Spinner, last time, but was pressured into setting a quick pace. There is a possibility that Osterville gets an uncontested lead in today's race, and that should play much more to his strengths. At a forecast price of around 5.0, he looks worth taking a chance on.
On a quiet Monday in the States we head to the opener at Presque Isle Downs (22:25 BST) for our best bet, where Virginia Colony should take a great deal of beating. This five-year-old gelding is a model of consistency, which is a bit of a rarity amongst cheap claiming horse in the States, and more often than not he performs to a Timeform form rating in excess of 80. A repeat of his usual level of form gives him a strong chance in here, and he is a confident selection.
The third race at Presque Isle Downs (23:15 BST) sees another consistent type in Arkle Park looking likely to go very close. A winner of a similar race to this back in July, Arkle Park has run four solid placed efforts in the interim, and today's opposition isn't the strongest. With a few front-runners in the line-up, he looks likely to get a solid pace to track, before being produced in the straight. Anything around the forecast price of 4.5 would be very fair.
Timeform US Smart Plays
Suffolk Downs race 1 (17:45 BST) win back #1 OSTERVILLE @ 5.04/1 or longer
Presque Isle Downs race 1 (22:25 BST) win back #8 VIRGINIA COLONY @ 3.814/5 or longer
Presque Isle Downs race 3 (23:15 BST) win back 7 ARKLE PARK @ 4.57/2 or longer
