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Sam King tipped Azahara Palace (advised at 6/4) to score at Chepstow yesterday and he’s back with three selections on Tuesday.
Ripon is our first port of call for Tuesday's selections. Tom Marquand looks to have a decent book of rides as he makes the journey north after his landmark 1000 British winner at Windsor last night. He partners Strong Johnson in the feature Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Handicap at 6.00. Paul Midgley's last-time-out winner makes obvious appeal but at the prices, course specialist Fortamour could be the one to side with.
Ben Haslam's runner finished behind Strong Johnson when the pair met in the Great St Wilfrid over this course and distance 17 days ago and there are plenty of reasons to believe he could turn that form around. For one, the former has one since and is now 7lb higher in the ratings, while the latter was dropped a 1lb for his effort in that contest.
It often pays dividends to be situated on one of the rails at Ripon and although Strong Johnson was on the wrong side of the track in the Great St Wilfrid, he still was still up against a rail and better situated than Fortamour, who found himself stuck towards the centre of the track.
The Ben Haslam-trained three-time course and distance scorer travelled well for much of the contest before fading late but he was only beaten just over three lengths into seventh at the line. He produced a good effort in defeat when going down narrowly in a messy four-runner affair over the same track and trip prior and looks like a really solid each-way bet with multiple firms paying extra places.
Selection: Fortamour – General 7/1
Goodwood hosts a decent seven-race card this afternoon and I'm hopeful Victor Dartnall's good run of form (three winners from his last four runners) can continue in the opening William Hill Keep Your Raceday Positive Handicap (1.50).
He saddles Lhebayeb, who steps up in grade after back-to-back wins over this trip at Bath recently. Prior to those two successes, Lhebayeb was a twenty-two-race maiden, but she does look the type to improve with age and it would be no surprise to see her rack up a sequence with confidence now high.
The booking of 3lb apprentice Callum Hutchinson negates the majority of the 4lb rise she picked up for winning last time at Bath and both ground and trip look ideal for her once more.
Stepping up to Class 5 level shouldn't pose too much of an issue for this consistent mare and I'm hopeful of a bold run as she bids to make it three from three when just sporting a tongue-tie.
Selection: Lhebayeb – General 5/1
We head to Hamilton for our final wager and Iris Dancer looks to have every chance of getting back to winning ways in the Willie Paterson OBE Memorial Fillies' Handicap at 6.15.
The Tristan Davidson-trained mare has been in good form in better company of late and arrives following a rock-solid second-place finish over track and trip 22 days ago.
A mark of 65 puts her just 1lb above her last winning mark but it's the drop to Class 5 level that can see this mare back to winning ways. She hasn't been seen in this grade since producing a commanding course and distance success back in June and with the return to better ground no concern, I'm confident this five-year-old can record her fourth track and trip victory this evening.
Selection: Iris Dancer – General 7/2
