Catching Pigeons: Gossip and tips from the gallops ahead of Sky Bet Ebor
Corgi is among the better fancied runners on a busy weekend and out Catching Pigeons insider has all the latest from the major training centres.
Catching Pigeons: Best bets
2.25 York - Sky Bet Melrose Handicap
3.15 Goodwood - Ladbrokes Bet 5 Get 20 Handicap
2.50 Newmarket - Price Bailey Action Medical Research Handicap
Corgi can land a deserved high profile win in the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap at York on Saturday.
Hughie Morrison knows what is required to win this competitive mile and six warm up for the Ebor and also has fancied outsider Candidate going to post.
However, Corgi looks the number one after a very good summer performing in top handicaps over middle distances. He has only just come up short on his last two outings over a mile and a half at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood, and connections are now hoping the step up in trip can help offset the lack of a sufficient finishing kick, which appeared to cost him his chance of bagging one of those lucrative prizes.
Our columnist Fran Berry also has a good word for Corgi...
Muntahaa should go well at a big price in the Sky Bet Ebor.
John Gosden holds a useful hand in this ultra-valuable handicap with top-weight Weekender accompanying the selection to post, and both have earned their place towards the top of the handicap.
In truth, Muntahaa has not shown his very best form for a while, but he has been given a chance here by the assessor, and should be up to running a big race on his first appearance at this level.
He has run well in pattern company this term, including a very good third to stablemate Monarchs Glen in the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot, and the way he finished the race suggests he will appreciate the return to a mile and six furlongs.
Posted can make it third time lucky on her pattern race debut in the Group Three Ladbrokes Prestige Stakes at Goodwood.
Richard Hannon has set two stiff examinations in novice events for the daughter of Kingman, and she has had the misfortune to meet two highly-rated juveniles on each occasion.
She performed with great promise in finishing second in both races, and had the third horse eight lengths adrift on her latest start at Newmarket. The experience should stand her in good stead for another tough test, and another step up in performance is anticipated here.
Chessman is just preferred to local rival Whitefountainfairy in the Ladbroke Bettors Of Britain Handicap.
Archie Watson has enjoyed a great season with his two-year-olds primarily, but looks to have a fine chance of landing this valuable heritage handicap with this one time inmate of the Gosden emporium.
His latest effort for his new handler and his second fitted with cheekpieces, came in a similar event to this at Ascot last month and was a real eye-catcher.
Although he never really threatened the principals, he finished to great effect, and would have been much closer than fifth, had he not found trouble in running.
The handicapper saw fit to raise him 4lb for that effort, but he remains a very interesting prospect and looks capable of further improvement, especially if he can be ridden a little closer to the pace.
Riviera Nights, a stablemate of Posted, can see off some well regarded newcomers in the Price Bailey Novice Stakes at Newmarket.
There was plenty to like about the Richard Hannon-trained colt's debut effort behind at Leicester last month, and he will be a lot more effective with the performance behind him. The fact James Doyle takes the ride is another plus.
Doyle teams up with the Hannon team again to do the steering aboard Bullingdon in the Price Bailey Action Medical Research Handicap.
He ran a bit below par in a handicap at Newbury 13 days ago, but he did meet with a little interference, and gave the impression this step back to seven furlongs would suit.
Henry Candy can continue his late summer revival with Skill Set in the Bet toteswinger At totesport.com Fillies Novice Stakes at Chelmsford.
It is always encouraging to see a debutante run well when a stable is out of nick and this daughter of Mastercraftsman all but delivered a first time out win when beaten a short head at Newbury last month. The form of that race looks very solid, and Skill Set has pleased at home since.
Gold Bere can give George Baker another memorable juvenile win in the Ladbrokes Maiden Auction Stakes at Goodwood on Sunday.
The much-travelled trainer saddled a quietly fancied 125/1 shot to prevail at the big meeting here at the start of the month, and there were more smiling faces after this son of Hurricane Rock finished fourth in what looked a decent maiden on the final day of the meeting.
Very green that day, he will come on a lot, and there seem every reason to think he will handle the anticipated change in the ground should the forecast rain materialise.
Canal Rocks, a stablemate of Skill Set, can leave his mid-summer flop behind in the Dorothy Mort Memorial Novice Stakes at Chepstow on Monday.
He stopped like he was shot he the closing stages of a good class heat at Sandown early last month, but had previously finished a very good third on his debut at the Esher course.
He is better judged on that performance and looks worth another chance.
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