We have a busy day’s racing on Tuesday with action from Brighton and Southwell, live on Sky Sports Racing.
2.30 Southwell – No More No returns after a year off
Intriguing runner No More No returns to the track after over a year off in the afternoon’s opening Ladies Day Sunday 16th August Handicap Chase at Southwell.
This grey gelding notched up two wins in nine starts over hurdles and, back from a break, he made a winning chase start over this course and distance last May. He absolutely demolished his rivals winning by 31 lengths and there could be a lot more improvement to come this season. He has another hefty lay-off and top-weight to overcome but he rates a fascinating contender.
The ultra-consistent Limerick Leader is suffering from a touch of ‘seconditis’ at the moment, having finished second in his last three starts. His last win was in June of last year at Newton Abbot but he continues to run with credit and helps set a good standard here.
Tom Gretton’s Milan Milos produced a career-best when last seen where he had a subsequent winner well behind him and a repeat of that effort could see him go close.
3.00 Southwell – Beorma chases four-timer for the Skeltons
The star attraction on the card at Southwell is the Dan Skelton-trained Beroma who comes here looking to complete a four-timer in the Sun Racing Summer Jumps Championship Handicap Chase.
The mare began her winning streak at Worcester on May 28, as she justified favouritism to win well. She followed that up a few days later, avoiding the penalty, and she dually obliged at this course. A day later she completed the hat-trick at Warwick over the minimum trip and the manner of her victory suggests there’s much more to come.
The top-weight Alshadhian sets a good standard though, and handles these conditions well, hitting the frame in all of his last three starts. He has proven successful over this track and trip and will likely represent the main danger to the Skelton charge.
Catchim impressed on his penultimate start but failed to justify his role in the market when disappointing last time out. He has to bounce back if he’s to give the principles something to think about but that cannot be ruled out.
8.51 Brighton – Ancient State and Merrimack lock horns
We must wait until the final race of the card at Brighton for the most valuable contest which sees Ancient State and Merrimack lock horns in the fairplaybet.co.uk Bet £20 Get £20 Free Bets Handicap.
Ancient State arrives at Brighton for the first time, looking to continue a successful spell since switching to Adam Kirby’s yard, with form figures that read 1,2,2. He won on stable debut well at Southwell in March and followed that up by with two second-placed finishes which now sees him up to a mark of 70.
Merrimack is two from three at Brighton but seeks his first win since January. He finished off his turf campaign last year by winning over course and distance in October and should be at home returned to these conditions this evening.
Tony Carroll is a regular in the Brighton Racecourse winners’ enclosure and Kento looks to make it two on the bounce having come out on top of a great duel on his first visit to the track. He could give the top two something to think about.
Best of the rest
4.00 Southwell – Granite Sands and Hawk’s Rock clash in feature.
5.05 Southwell – Fighting Falcon looks to defy a 6lbs rise.
7.21 Brighton – Course scorer Tea Sea returns.
