Catching Pigeons: On the House | Gossip from the gallops Saturday June 15

Pour Me A Drink has been working nicely and is well fancied to bounce back to form in the randomhealth.com Handicap at Sandown on Saturday.

Clive Cox had high hopes for this son of Nathaniel in the Spring, and, after a promising comeback effort in a very good maiden at Newbury, he justified plenty of stable confidence on his handicap debut at Haydock last month. Although well beaten here on his latest start, the ground proved too quick, and he should be much more at home on this easier surface.

May Sonic could prove some each-way value off his lightweight in the Randox Handicap over seven furlongs.

There was plenty of market support behind Charlie Hills' three year old before he broke his duck at Kempton in March, but he then appeared to have his limitations exposed when only fifth in a novice at the Doncaster Lincoln meeting. However, he has had a nice break since that outing, and the fact he is by mud loving a Mayson, suggests he will be at home in the prevailing conditions.

Cox should also be on the mark with the well regarded Star Alexander in the Century Casino Fillies Novice Stakes at Bath. Well fancied on her debut at Ascot, she needed the experience, but the stable were also a little out of form at the time, and an improved performance is anticipated.

Power Of Darkness pulled too hard for his own good over nine furlongs at Newmarket six weeks ago, and he looks worth another chance in his first-time hood in the S. P. Green & Co Bath Somersetshire Handicap.

The drop back to a mile and to a lower grade should suit, and if he reproduces the form of his comeback effort when second to Beringer at the Craven meeting, he should want plenty of beating.

Luxor can put a disappointing comeback effort behind him in the Pavers Foundation Catherine Memorial Sprint Handicap at York.

William Haggas made this race the primary early target for this son of Oasis Dream pre-turf season, but his chances took a definite knock when he flopped on his comeback at Newmarket last month. He never looked happy on the fast ground and the undulations, and trailed in a well beaten last of fourteen. However, this course will suit him much better, as will the much easier ground, and he looks worth an each-way investment, in a very open and competitive event.

Raheen House was a high class performer for Brian Meehan and he should also go close in the Listed Sky Bet Ebor Grand Cup. Reported in good form, he looks the sort to do well on his first run for the Haggas stable, and he should give the strongly fancied Mekong something to think about. The fact he holds an entry in the Northumberland Plate is also of interest.

Kevin Ryan has a good record with his two year olds for Sheikh Obaid Al Maktoum this Spring, and a good run is anticipated from newcomer Black Caspian in the Reg Griffin Memorial Maiden Stakes. The son of Dark Angel is nicely bred, but is not quite as "clued" up as some of his stablemates, who have won first time up this season. However, he shows plenty of ability at home, and might well be worth a small interest.

Andrew Balding has a high strike rate at Chester, and should go close with Lariat in the Whitley Neill Handcraft Gin Handicap. Second on each of his three outings this term, he produced arguably his best effort when chasing home the strongly fancied Sam Cooke at the May Meeting here just over five weeks ago. The mud was flying that day, and underfoot conditions will be of similar consistency here.

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