Tuesday’s action comes from Ffos Las and Lingfield, with seven races from each live on Sky Sports Racing.
3.00 Ffos Las – Perfect Nation and Avionics feature
Promising two-year-olds Perfect Nation and Avionics headline a seven-runner field in the EBF Novice Stakes.
Perfect Nation, who dons the colours of the Basher Watts Syndicate, ran with plenty of promise behind top prospect Flann Sunna on debut. He took a step forward when winning in great fashion at Lingfield last time out, and the only disadvantage for him is shouldering a seven-pound penalty for that success.
Andrew Balding puts up Qatari jockey Ebrahim Nader aboard Avionics. The 150,000gns breeze-up purchase shaped nicely when going down three lengths to Vintage Stakes runner Undiscovered and should provide stiff opposition to Perfect Nation with the seven-pound weight advantage.
Of the rest, newcomer George Cross has the potential to challenge, with his dam out of Group Three winner and So Mi Dar, who also placed in the Prix de l’Opera. The title-chasing Oisin Murphy rides Midgham Man, who was slow into stride on debut but could pose more of a threat today.
4.30 Ffos Las – Well-bred Flagbearer debuts for Haggas
William Haggas places 485,000gns yearling Flagbearer in the Dandara Homes Maiden Stakes.
The Wathnan-owned Sea The Stars colt makes his three-year-old debut and is bred to be quite smart, given his dam is half-sister to Canadian Grade 1 winner Cannock Chase and multiple Group 1 winner Star Catcher. Both of those horses won impressively on their first starts at three.
The Roger Varian-trained Wootz also boasts a smart pedigree. His dam was listed-placed and is a sister to Grade 3 winner and Grade 1-placed Luck. He is also half-brother to useful French three-year-old winner Marchon. The pedigree of both aforementioned horses suggests middle-distance trips will very much be their forte in due course.
Current jockeys’ championship leader Billy Loughnane partners Arbaawy, who sets a relatively high standard on form. Although well-beaten in a competitive handicap at Ascot last time out, that race has produced some high-profile winners, including two at the recent Glorious Goodwood festival. Don’t be surprised if he gets back to winning ways.
Vincenzo Bellini hung left in the straight on debut after being slow away and could come on for that run under Callum Hutchinson. Returning to tackle the same course and distance, Mark Loughnane’s gelding will be partnered with Callum Hutchinson.
7.18 Lingfield – In-form duo Taritino and Tabasko clash
The in-form duo, Taritino and Tabasko lock horns in the Trusted Betting Site Comparison gambling.com Handicap.
Taritino is very much exposed now at the age of six, yet he has been in fine form – winning twice and placing twice in four starts since returning from hurdling. He remains fairly handicapped, and with the 14 furlongs likely to suit, a bold showing must be on the cards.
The progressive three-year-old Tabasko has been incredibly consistent this season, only going down narrowly at Doncaster last month. He can continue to improve and use his three-year-old weight allowance to his advantage against these older horses, with Ashley Lewis taking a further three pounds off.
With the emphasis likely to be on speed in just a four-runner field, Russian Rumour will probably not be seen to great effect, as Scarlet Moon would become a serious threat if a three-month break can see him bounce back to form. He returns to the Flat today after a solid stint over hurdles.
