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C'Est Different returns for 'Hot Trainer' Sam Thomas
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Valiant Force has an excellent record at Dundalk
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Tyger Bay can atone for unlucky defeat last time
13:55, Market Rasen - Lack of recent run no concern for C'Est Different
Sam Thomas has the 'Hot Trainer' flag at present and his runners this autumn have a particularly good record first time out, with the yard boasting a 42% strike rate over the last couple of months with runners returning from an absence of six months or more.
That makes the stable's C'Est Different an interesting runner in the Pertemps Qualifier at Market Rasen. The five-year-old hasn't run since February when he ended his first campaign over hurdles in top form. After not needing to come off the bridle when getting off the mark upped in trip in a novice handicap at Carlisle, he was then not hard pressed to follow up at Chepstow just five days later.
This is a better race than either of those he won last term, but C'Est Different is getting plenty of weight from his rivals and looks capable of further progress this term, stepping up further in trip here.
Back C'Est Different in the 13:55 at Market Rasen
15:48, Dundalk - Smart Valiant Force can shoulder big weight
Amo Racing's Valiant Force first made a name for himself as a two-year-old when winning the Norfolk Stakes and going close in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. But these days he is gaining a reputation as a Dundalk specialist.
He's yet to finish out of the first two in five starts at Dundalk this year, winning all three minor events he's contested and finishing second in a couple of handicaps when giving lumps of weight to the winners. He has another big burden of 10-6 in today's six-furlong contest but has been dropped 3 lb in the weights since his last handicap which gives him every chance of another win here.
A smart performer on the all-weather, Valiant Force has also proven his versatility, winning over as far as a mile earlier in the year, but gaining his latest win at Dundalk last month over five furlongs when readily accounting for some useful rivals. He can become a first winner for Robson de Aguiar who has taken over the licence at the yard formerly run by Adrian Murray.
Back Valiant Force in the 15:48 at Dundalk
19:15, Chelmsford - Tyger Bay to go one better with a clear run
Chelmsford stage another of the qualifiers in the Timeform Sprint Series where Conrad Allen's Tyger Bay will be hoping for better luck than he got on his last run over course and distance earlier in the month.
Tyger Bay ran well to finish a length second to Valley Ofthe Kings but was unlucky not to win as he was forced to switch after being badly hampered a furlong out and then finished well, earning the 'Horse In Focus' flag for that eyecatching effort.
Tyger Bay is holding his form well this year, mainly on the all-weather, having recorded back-to-back wins at Kempton and Chelmsford in the summer. He remains on a competitive mark however, as he heads the Timeform weight-adjusted ratings here.
Back Tyger Bay in the 19:15 at Chelmsford