Saturday 7th May

>>ALREADY ADVISED<<

It’s been a good week for Derby trials and next up is Lingfield’s version (2:40). Aiden O’Briens three-year-old colts have all been big improvers for a run and a step up in trip at Chester, and United Nations is expected to do the same after an encouraging seasonal debut at Epsom last time out. The Galileo colt is expected to progress for middle-distances, although stamina is not guaranteed on pedigree. I am surprised that Walk Of Stars is odds-on as his narrow win in a three-runner conditions race at Newbury has already been let down by the placed horses, and it looks like worth sticking with Ballydoyle:

Lingfield 2:40 – UNITED NATIONS – 1 point win @ 9/2 (generally)

In the opener at Ascot (1:45) Mascat was favourite on early tissues after his encouraging run in Epsom’s Great Metropolitan Handicap, where he went down narrowly with Solent Getaway a neck behind in third [unplaced in the Chester Cup on Friday]. The former Ralph Beckett inmate should go well again. However, I’m going to take a chance on Juan De Montalban who also shaped encouragingly on seasonal debut and first start for Kevin Philippart De Foy. The form of that Thirsk race is working out really well, with the second, third and fifth all having won since, while the winner was runner-up next time out. I expect Juan De Montalban to improve for better ground and he looks to be a bit of value:

Ascot 1:45 – JUAN DE MONTALBAN - 1 point each-way @ 10/1 (Bet365 5 places; others 9/1)

>>ADDITIONAL BETS<<

I wonder if After The Rain (Ascot 4:40) has got off lightly with a 3lbs rise for her Windsor win as the placed horses all ran well next time out. The Sharmadal filly won cosily at Windsor and should go well if she acts on the anticipated quicker ground:

Ascot 4:40 – AFTER THE RAIN - 1 point win @ 5/4 (generally)

For the nap I’m heading to Nottingham, for the sprint handicap (2:10). Electric Love was a real eye-catcher at Epsom when meeting all sorts of trouble in running and was still only beaten by 2¾ lengths by Mokaatil.  Unraced at two, the Equiano filly was really progressive as a three-year-old winning twice. Although her overall record is two wins from nine starts, that improves to two from four at five furlongs, on turf, on good-to-firm, which augurs well for this test. Electric Love races off the same mark as Epsom but is dropping in grade. I have only two concerns: could she encounter traffic problems again, and she has a rookie jockey. Those are risks worth taking and she is a confident NAP - which would have been a two-point bet with an experienced rider:

Nottingham 2:10 – ELECTRIC LOVE – 1 point win @ 7/2 (Power/Sportsbook/Betfred; 100/30 others)

I’m taking a chance with top-weight Rich Dream in the ten-furlong handicap (3:20). The gelding is lightly-raced having had only six career starts and ran well over none-furlongs in a better race than this at Hamilton last August. Rich Dream was disappointing at Newcastle next time out when dropped back to a mile. Back up to 1¼m he should be competitive on a mark of [76] if he is fit enough after a long break:

Nottingham 3:20 – RICH DREAM – ½ point win @ 10/1 (Bet365; 6/1 Hills)

Helene (3:55) ran well in some decent juvenile fillies’ maidens last term, all in July, and she hadn’t run again when she caught the eye staying on from off the pace on handicap debut at Leicester last time out. She was entitled to need the race, returning from a 268-day break, the step up to a mile should suit, and she could out-run her price:

Nottingham 3:55 – HELENE – ½ point each-way @ 16/1 (Bet365 4 places; 12/1 others)

At Thirsk’s evening meeting, I like the profile of Crypto Quest in the three-year-old handicap over six furlongs (7:05). Kevin Ryan’s gelding is unexposed having had only two turf starts, despite finishing second both times, as he hasn’t shown the same level of ability in two AW starts. Crypto Quest ran well on handicap debut a fortnight ago, going down by 1¾ lengths. He’s entitled to come on for that run and has sound claims albeit in a competitive looking sprint:

Thirsk 7:05 – CRYPTO QUEST – 1 point win @ 9/1 (Bet365; 13/2 generally)