Handicappers' Corner: Great Scott triumphs at Beverley

The action at Sandown is the first to come under scrutiny, kicking off with the Group 3 Solario Stakes. Raven's Pass' win in this event in 2007 is the standout performance of the recent renewals and this year's winner, Fantastic Moon, put up an effort more in line with the four winners since as he defeated Chesham Stakes winner Tha'ir by a head, with listed winner Master of War a further head behind in third.

Fantastic Moon, accredited with a Timeform rating of 108p, ran well up in grade on just his second start, having won a minor event at Newmarket on debut, overcoming his evident lack of experience as he ran on well for little more than hands and heels after being outpaced over two furlongs out. He will stay a mile, is likely to progress further and may well have the RP Trophy at Doncaster as an end of season target, although coincidentally the last four winners of this have all been beaten in that contest.

2012 saw the Atalanta Stakes upgraded to a Group 3, having previously been run as a listed event, and a large field assembled. In truth it was quantity over quality, with the winners' performance not a patch on those of the last three years, but the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Dank (107p) looks sure to go well again following her neck defeat of the consistent Ladys First (107). It is also worth paying close attention to the run of the sixth-placed Irish History, a filly who has been highlighted in this weeks' Timeform Notebook.

Others to mention on Sandown's card include Labarinto (106), who got himself back on track having been gelded since last seen four months ago. He had the run of affairs, travelling smoothly in a prominent position, but he may yet be able to build on this given he has few miles on the clock. Law Enforcement (96p) and Juvenal (92) both scored for the Richard Hannon yard, each progressing in their own right and appeal as likely to continue in form, with the former possibly ready to be tried in a higher grade.

Time to head north to Beverley, where Borderlescott (116) landed an emotional success in the listed Beverley Bullet Sprint Stakes. Only a cold-hearted punter could have failed to crack a smile as the ten-year-old put up his best performance since winning the King George Stakes at Goodwood in 2010, seeing off the smart Masamah by a length. Borderlescott is probably best kept to this level for further winning opportunities, this form only good enough to make him a place contender back in pattern company, although connections displayed a desire to aim him at the Prix de l'Abbaye, a race in which he finished third in 2008 and sixth in 2009.

Hi There, trained by Richard Fahey, turned in the sort of performance he had been threatening as he notched his second win of 2012, looking well ahead of his mark as he beat Wahylah by three and a half lengths. Now rated 91 by Timeform, Hi There looks sure to go close again.

Another pair that could be re-entering the winners' enclosure before long are Laudate Dominum (82) and Avon Breeze (75p), who both landed maidens at Beverley on Saturday. The former will move into nurseries with a positive profile and will stay a mile whilst Avon Breeze progressed as expected from her debut to win easily, and will do well in handicaps so long as she gets a sensible mark.

A brisk sojourn to Chester is now on the cards, with the victories of Tominator and Ballista being the focus of our attention. The former had become well handicapped, 1 lb lower than when second in the same event 12 months ago, and he confirmed the positive impression created by his run in the Ebor to prove at least as good as ever, now rated 109 by Timeform. Connections reported after the race that he may now be sold, presumably for jumping, and he could do well as a novice hurdler, being as straightforward and reliable as he is.

Ballista (111) has taken his form to another level since seemingly having his confidence restored when winning a seller back in May, and he showed devastating speed here to put up a career-best effort, despite being burdened with a poor draw in stall 14, as he managed to get to the lead and win easily. His future prospects depend somewhat on the handicapper, but this was certainly a remarkable performance.

The only performance to mention in Britain and Ireland on Sunday came at Dundalk, as the Aidan O'Brien-trained Sir Walter Scott made a taking racecourse debut in a minor event over seven furlongs. Closely related to the stables' 2008 Irish Derby winner Frozen Fire, Sir Walter Scott achieved a Timeform rating of 94P, as he overcame obvious inexperience to beat two previous winners in Seeking Luck (88p) and Washboard Sam (92). He boasts some strong entries, in races such as the Beresford Stakes and the RP Trophy, and he looks open to significant improvement.

There was a fascinating contest at Baden-Baden, as last years Prix de l'Arc de Troimphe heroine Danedream met with the first three colts from the Deutsches Derby. The filly did not have to be at her best to win and was not as impressive as when landing the same event 12 months before, the lack of pace a possible explanation, and she heads to Longchamp as a leading contender in her bid to defend her crown.

The third-placed Pastorius wasn't quite good enough to challenge the winner, having no extra only in the closing stages, and he will reprotedly head to Ascot for a tilt at the Champion Stakes. The return to a mile and a quarter may seem him to better effect, although he will meet with the phenomenon that is Frankel.

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