3 minute read
The benefit of match fitness could give Raymond Tusk the edge as he bids to snap a long losing run in the SBK Conditions Stakes at Doncaster.
A Group Two winner in his pomp, the seven-year-old has now gone 14 consecutive starts without managing to get his head in front, but has run some fine races in defeat.
Since switching from Richard Hannon to Alan King's yard last year, Raymond Tusk has been placed on five occasions, including a runner-up finish in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.
Having achieved a three-figure Flat rating, he was switched to the jumping game in the autumn, but is now nought from three in that sphere and is clearly not going to be as effective as he is on the level.
Receiving weight from some of his key rivals on Town Moor, Raymond Tusk looks well placed to get back on the winning trail for a trainer in fine form.
Outbreak is of clear interest for Charlie and Mark Johnston in the SBK Betting Zone – Daily Tips & Insight Handicap.
The Dark Angel colt showed a decent level of ability in each of his three juvenile outings, with a dominant Salisbury verdict sandwiched by placed efforts at Chelmsford and Ayr.
Entering the handicap arena from a perch of 88, Outbreak is open to further improvement and a bold bid should be expected given he hails from a yard which usually starts the season with all guns blazing.
It would be no surprise to Parachute take his game to a new level in the SBK Handicap.
The son of Sea The Stars already has wins at Lingfield and Newmarket on his CV and is another horse with Royal Ascot placed form to his credit, finishing third in the King George V Stakes.
He ran well enough when last seen finishing fourth at Newbury in September, but it just looked like the handicapper might have caught up with him.
It will be interesting to see if a gelding operation during the off-season brings about improvement from a horse who is still relatively low mileage.
The decision to sidestep the Cheltenham Festival with Thyme White can pay off for Paul Nicholls in the Garth Hunt Pony Club Novices' Handicap Chase at Ascot.
The Ditcheat handler was making positive noises about the six-year-old's chances in the Grand Annual at the showpiece meeting, but like several of his stablemates he was pulled out on account of the rain-softened ground.
That will not be a problem this weekend, though, and a mark of 142 – 8lb higher than when winning on his latest outing at Newbury – does look workable.
Dr T J Eckleburg could be the answer to the Colts & Fillies Club Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.
Trainer Olly Murphy was lining up the Ludlow and Taunton winner for the Boodles at the Festival, but he did not make the cut after being on the reserve list. Compensation awaits.
There are a couple of £35,000 Go North series finals up for grabs at Carlisle.
Brian Hughes and Donald McCain can team up to win the two-mile handicap chase run in honour of northern hero One Man with course scorer Armattiekan.
The eight-year-old was well beaten on his latest visit to the Cumbrian track, but should be seen in a much better light back on his favoured good ground.
The Rebecca Menzies-trained Scottish Accent goes for the two-and-a-half-mile Monet's Garden Final.
He is also a previous winner at Carlisle and he was last seen finishing second here to Dawn Raider in February, when he may well have made more of a race of it but for blundering three fences from home.
The handicapper has dropped him a pound since and with a clear round he looks sure to go well for a yard that continues to go great guns under both codes.
SELECTIONS:
ASCOT: 1.00 Fifty Ball, 1.35 Chavez, 2.10 Thyme White, 2.45 Dr T J Eckleburg, 3.20 Not Available, 3.55 Some Chaos, 4.30 Adrien Du Pont.
CARLISLE: 1.53 Gredin, 2.26 Armattiekan, 3.01 Timetoroe, 3.36 Scottish Accent, 4.11 Jobsonfire, 4.43 Magna Sam, 5.15 Imperial B G.
DONCASTER: 1.25 El Picador, 2.00 Diavolo, 2.35 Barley, 3.10 Blueberry Hill, 3.45 Parachute, 4.20 Spring Bloom, 4.50 RAYMOND TUSK (NAP), 5.25 Outbreak.
LIMERICK: 1.15 Speed Gang, 1.45 Pats Choice, 2.16 Sit Down Lucy, 2.51 Magnor Glory, 3.26 Egality Mans, 4.01 Minx Tiara, 4.35 Nelly's Money, 5.10 Mercurey.
NAAS: 1.30 Past Time, 2.05 Stylistic Approach, 2.40 Celebrate In Style, 3.15 Lust, 3.50 West Coast, 4.25 Licence, 5.00 Esculenta, 5.30 Tosen Lydia.
DOUBLE: Raymond Tusk and Outbreak.
