Finerthingsracing

Taking a punt on this gelding returning on his seasonal debut. Won on last year's seasonal debut over the same conditions as today, despite this being a class 5 and never managing to win at a higher level than 6, but has some respectable efforts. A real lover of this track with 14 runs here, winning 3 and placing in a further 5. Loves the ground with some moisture in, so should take well to the forecasted conditions. On a workable mark of 64, with a useful 5lb claimer in hand. With previously placing off 63 and winning off 62, should be going well. Backdoor if Jadine's yard with him often sending runners here, holding a 12% strike rate but a 41.4% rate for being within the top 4. Useful apprentice Archie Young with a 5lb claimer, has a good record for the yard with a 15% strike rate and placed on plenty of other occurrences. His first mount in this gelding but could line up well if fitness isn't an issue.

Not an easy race at all, and despite being an oldie in the field, you can't write this one off. Normally fairly consistent, made a fair effort on seasonal debut when 5th of 13, beaten just over 3 lengths, so clearly still some level of form within this horse. The two following runs were below par, but these runs all came on better ground, with this horse's better efforts coming on ground with some cut in it. Could get a nice bounce back of form now here with a good track record of 0231033, with one of those thirds being 2 lengths off the winner in a class 2 in a field of 24. Tim Easterby's yard is in good form, being 4/12 with runners he's sent here so far this year. 44% strike rate for runners being in the top 4 at this course, so certainly one he performs at. Amie Waugh takes the ride with a 3lb claimer, previously ridden this gelding twice, with solid efforts on both, so could hopefully be steering this the right way given her recent form.

Looked incredibly quick on breeze-up sales, with some serious turn of foot which could make this filly a competitive sprinter if she doesn't need the experience. That's a chance I'm willing to take. Sired by Ardad out of Flitare, she already has a full sister who didn't amount to much but has raced in France on softer ground. Despite that, Ardad offspring have a solid record for 5-6f sprints and good to firm ground like today's conditions. The yard is in good form, especially with 2-year-olds. Currently 4/19 with them this season, with a further 6 being within the top 4. Three of those wins have all come on debut, apart from Blue Orbit who came second in a hot race and went on to score comfortably next time out. So, a solid chance this filly might already be prepped and ready for this.