Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - SHMOOV MOOVA (6) debuts and brings three trial wins. Looks to have stacks of ability and draws to advantage. Tough to beat bringing that form to race day. GOLD MAKER (3) placed first-up and impressed narrowly beaten following. He's raced well this trip at Stakes level and fitter is a threat. KEEP ITA MYSTERY (2) spiked his figures winning this grade. Carries just 1kg more and maps for the run of the race. BATTLE COMMANDER (1) led and just missed this grade over 1400m. He will race forward and will get every chance to go one better.
RACE 2 - BRAVO CENTURION (6) also runs along and is third-up seeking the hat-trick. He will keep improving and Chris Parnham is reunited. SNIPPY WHICH (2) resumes for the in-form Durrant yard and CJP sticks from the recent Lark Hill trial win. He is good enough and is proven fresh. SALT LAKE SHAKE (7) peaks and is still shy of his strong peaks. Maps well and can't be ruled out.
RACE 3 - SUPER ROMANI (1) disappointed two back but the form around that reads well. Went close last time over this distance and he maps for a soft run. 2x winning rider Pike is reunited. HEMLOCK STONE (3) was quickly back to form placing here over 1400m and will be better for the run. Has his first try at a mile and expect it to suit. Has the first-time blinkers applied and CJP may position him handier. BERNBRAE (7) resumed over a mile and missed a head. She hasn't missed a beat and has decent claims with the extra fitness. THOROGOOD (2) would be in the finish at best and may be ready to show more.
RACE 4 - WATCH ME ROCK (2) brought strong form to resumption and delivered a CL1 at Northam over this distance. He has more up his sleeve and is proven second-up. Has an awkward gate but Pike is a key jockey switch replacing the 3kg apprentice. LOVA SESSION (4) brings a string of threatening efforts and there's been nothing in it at her last two. She gives away starts but rates up to this and is capable of winning if things go her way. UNIVERSAL FLAIR (1) peaks in easier grade and is better than the form line suggests. Has a handy 2kg claim and will push forward.
RACE 5 - DEFERRED (6) improved again delivering the hat-trick over this distance. She was heavily bet and Chris Parnham sticks aboard. She's promising and rates to win again. WANGO AWARD (3) has been knocking on the door and is good enough. Comes back in trip and grade and maps well. CJP will give her every chance. MANAVENDRA (1) came from the back and wasn't beaten far first-up in better grade. He will race over longer but has won at 1400m and Pike retains the ride in a show of confidence. TENACIOUS REWARD (4) has just missed both runs this preparation and they stack up. He's proven third-up and also has claims.
RACE 6 - A good contest. UNDER INFLUENCE (8) spiked his figures again winning a 66 over 1000m. His form over the 1200m here is strong so the extra 200m shouldn't be a bother. Chris Parnham stays aboard and can present him late. RUSSIAN SNIPER (2) seeks that hat-trick and maps for the run of the race. It's hard to knock the form and the gun hoop stays aboard. LENIENCY (5) resumed this grade/trip when beaten a nose. He's won 2/3 second-up and is good enough. He's likely to give away a start today and that's the niggle. SONOFTHEBOSS (3) is racing well and has more to give. He has a handy 2kg claim and races forward. He also has claims.
RACE 7 - SOSO LUCKY (10) has won on wet tracks both race starts and has been doing it easy. The promising mare will be fitter again and looks well-placed to keep the ball rolling. CRUISE TO VICTORY (4) rates well on the near miss over 1400m when he was heavily bet again. Maps for a soft on-pace run and it's hard to risk the potent Pike-Williams linkage. NO BRAINER (6) didn't finish it off behind Deferred but the win prior at this distance reads well. He's been kept on the fresh side and can make the trifecta with average luck in the run. MISS DRAKOVA (2) is going well enough to consider.
RACE 8 - SEARCHIN' ROC'S (9) resumes and flies here and fresh. She's a multiple Group/Stakes winner. Is 1/1 this track/trip and maps for a soft run. The one to beat on song. VALOUR ROAD (1) resumes and is also a sharp multiple Group and Listed winner. Has compelling fresh form and has won this course/trip. Owns an easy trial win and Chris Parnham sticks aboard. Rates a danger. SALOON BAR (3) brings a nose defeat from the Listed Belmont Newmarket. He will give away a start but has more to give and will finish hard. GINGER BAKER (5) resumes and is well performed. He will come into his own over further but no surprise to see him dropping in late in the piece.
RACE 9 - A good contest. SENSESSIONAL (4) brings a string of wins over this distance and keeps improving. Draws awkwardly but keeps the gun hoop and trust him to manage. He can go on with the job. FILTHY HABITS (7) is a leader seeking the hat-trick. Çomes back to the mile today but that may not disadvantage in the expected wet conditions. We know he will see it right out. FALCON TRADER (1) just missed behind Sensessional and that stacks up. He has a handy 2kg claim today and will push forward. He's also a chance. SAVAGE ONE (3) led and deserved the win this grade. He's likely to control the race again and will give a sight on the 7-day return.
