3 minute read
Primrose Ridge can build on her highly-promising debut run and get off the mark in the Flat Is Back Fillies’ Restricted Novice Stakes at Redcar.
While Persian Force took all the plaudits when running away with the first two-year-old contest of the season, the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster, Primrose Ridge belied her odds of 40-1 with a cracking display.
She was clear second best behind the even-money favourite, who looks potentially smart, after making a lot of the running, and certainly looks a bargain purchase by in-form trainer Darryll Holland at 8,000 guineas.
Primrose Ridge has no colts or geldings to face this time and should take all the beating.
Copper Mountain was an eyecatcher at 50-1 on the second of her two visits to Redcar and looks set to open her turf account in the Racing TV Straight Mile Handicap.
Her fourth of 19 behind Rockprincess in October was the first real bit of form she showed, and since then she has had a profitable winter campaign on the all-weather.
The Sir Percy filly, trained by Mick and David Easterby, won two of her four starts and has had a six-week break since her last run at Southwell where she was runner-up to Sid's Annie.
Delgrey Boy can start the season the way he ended the last with victory in the Join Racing TV Now Handicap.
Tim Easterby's charge led inside the final half-furlong here in October when coming three-quarters of a length clear of Hayadh.
The five-year-old was a model of consistency last term, winning twice and being placed eight times from 14 starts.
Hopefully there is more improvement to come and the Delegator gelding can start the campaign on a positive note.
Zim Baby can benefit from a drop in trip to end a losing spell going back to November 2020 in the Cazoo Handicap at Windsor.
The five-year-old, trained by Mick Appleby, stepped up to seven furlongs for her seasonal debut at Doncaster and ran a tremendous race to only be beaten three-quarters of a length behind Seven Brothers in a competitive handicap.
After pressing the eventual winner for over a furlong, Zim Baby just lost second place in the final strides. Dropping back down to six furlongs can do the trick.
Gert Lush looks the one to be on in the Follow At The Races On Twitter Handicap.
If the Bated Breath mare can reproduce the form she showed when second of 13 to Regular Income at Nottingham in November, then Roger Teal's runner can get the season off to a perfect start.
Bavington Bob looks a good bet to complete a four-timer in the Borders Carers Trust Handicap Chase at Kelso.
Two victories at Newcastle and one at Carlisle have seen Ann Hamilton's seven-year-old shoot up 14lb in the weights. As the youngest horse in this near three-mile heat, there should be more to come from him.
The Electrician can open his account at the 12th attempt in the Ladies Day After Party Handicap Chase.
Mike Smith's six-year-old has finished second three times, including on this track and on his latest start when he went down by a length and a half to Atlantic Dancer.
He was putting in his best work in the closing stages of that two-mile contest and should relish the step back up in distance.
SELECTIONS:
KELSO: 1.50 Masked Crusader, 2.25 Tough Out, 3.00 The Electrician, 3.35 Bavington Bob, 4.10 Paddy The Horse, 4.45 Alone No More, 5.15 Doyen Du Bar.
REDCAR: 1.00 PRIMROSE RIDGE (NAP), 1.30 Merry Secret, 2.05 Pallas Lord, 2.40 Copper Mountain, 3.15 Delgrey Boy, 3.50 Franz, 4.20 Zimmerman, 4.20 Al Qaasim.
WINDSOR: 1.40 Battle Point, 2.15 Refine, 2.50 Zim Baby, 3.25 Gert Lush, 4.00 Salvator Mundi, 4.30 Espresso Freddo, 5.00 Mark Of Respect, 5.30 Thunder Queen.
DOUBLE: Primrose Ridge and Delgrey Boy.
