Java set for Salisbury joy
Hughie Morrison’s Blue Java has a good opportunity to record his first win of 2008 in the Axminster Carpets Apprentice Handicap at Salisbury.
The seven-year-old was successful over course and distance two years ago and although he has not won since last September, he has turned in some respectable efforts in defeat.
His run last time out at Ascot was too bad to be true but previously he had been staying on well at the finish over six furlongs in rain-softened ground at this track.
The extra furlong will be in his favour here and he is weighted to reverse placings with Castano off a rating of 68 – 3lb below his last winning mark.
Another very interesting runner on the Salisbury card is William Haggas’ Basque Beauty in the European Breeders’ Fund Upavon Fillies’ Stakes.
Connections had hoped she could develop into a possible Oaks contender but she suffered a setback and did not reach the racecourse until late July.
Their patience was well rewarded as the Nayef filly landed her maiden at Ascot by an impressive six lengths and although this is tougher, she will take a lot of beating.
Kevin Prendergast does not send many horses to Britain from his County Kildare base but Roof Fiddle represents the Irish handler as she makes her debut in Beverley’s Mail News And Media Maiden Auction Stakes.
The market will provide the best guide to her prospects but the booking of Paul Hanagan suggests a bold bid is expected in a race which is unlikely to take much winning.
Insaaf put some below-par performances behind her when running well in defeat behind the useful Red Dune at Newmarket last time out.
She can return to the winners enclosure at Hamilton by taking the EBF Captain J.C. Stewart Fillies’ Handicap.
Winners Chant looked in need of a sterner test when finishing third over a mile and a half at Kempton last time and will appreciate the extra two furlongs in the Lamb Building Criminal QCS & Barristers Handicap at Sandown.
Sir Michael Stoute’s charge has been handed a lenient-looking mark of 76 for her handicap debut and it would be no surprise if she proves much better than that rating under the excellent Ryan Moore.
Another horse who could prove considerably better than her current mark is the Sir Mark Prescott-trained Limelight.
Prescott is a master of finding winning opportunities off a low rating when stepping horses up in trip, and this one achieved a handicap mark of just 52 after showing very little up to seven furlongs last season.
This extended mile and three furlongs will be more to her liking and she can take the producedinnorfolk.com Handicap at Yarmouth.
