Catching Pigeons: Gossip and tips from the gallops

Ulster (3.35 Musselburgh)

Ulster is one of the most unexposed runners and looks the one to be on in the Queen’s Cup Handicap At Musselburgh on Saturday. Archie Watson has made a name for himself as the trainer of two-year-olds, but he can perform with the older horses as well, a point underlined by the victory of Brandon Castle in this race 12 months ago. Ulster won his first two races after joining the Upper Lambourn trainer from Saeed bin Suroor, and has been narrowly beaten on his last two starts. He looked a shade unlucky to get the worst of the argument on both occasions, and looks worth persevering with, especially on this step back from two miles to 14 furlongs.

Indian Tygress (4.15 Kempton)

James Fanshawe is a master when it comes to improving fillies and Indian Tygress should build on her unfortunate comeback effort at Chelmsford in the Wise Betting At RacingTV.com Handicap At Kempton. A winner twice here last season, she would surely have finished closer when third to Puds at the Essex course, had she not met with interference when trying to deliver her challenge. The outing will have also sharpened her up and the booking of David Egan is an interesting one.

Nausha (2.35 Kempton)

Roger Varian enjoyed a lucrative Craven meeting and can ensure the Easter festivities go smoothly with Nausha in the Racing TV Fillies' Conditions Stakes. This will prove no easy Classic trial despite its lack of pattern status, but there was plenty to like about her debut win in what looked a good novice at Newbury, and she can only improve from that. Rainbow Heart will want plenty of beating here after her runaway win at Newmarket last back-end, but the selection could be the value bet to dent her ambitions.

Polish (4.50 Kempton)

Polish hails from a very good family and should show his appreciation for a gelding operation in the Racing TV Queen’s Prize Handicap. This traditional Easter staying event looks a good launch-pad for Polish, who looks the sort to improve and should enjoy the course. A half brother to Ply, who won three races here for Beckhampton, including the final of the middle distance series, Polish is back on an attractive mark, and is expected to be fit enough to do himself justice.

A Place Apart (4.20 Haydock)

A Place Apart is a fresh horse for this late stage of the season, and looks worth an interest in the Betway Middle Distance Case Series Final At Haydock. Gavin Cromwell and James Bowen are a combination to look at closely when they get together, and this five-year-old boasts some good form, including a two and a half length win over subsequent three-time winner Cap Du Nord At Kempton. Ground conditions and the left handed course will suit him better, and he remains well handicapped as his trainer specialises in protecting his charges’ ratings for valuable targets such as this.

Watch And Learn (7.05 Nottingham)

Watch And Learn seemed to live up to her name on her comeback behind the well regarded Madame Tantzy At Kempton last month, and she can be expected to step up on that performance in the DS Derby Salon Handicap At Nottingham. Having dropped out early to travel in last for the first half of the race, she picked up nicely without ever looking a threat to the first two, and gave the impression this step up in trip should suit. The drop in class should also precipitate an improvement in performance.

Dream Catching (5.50 Brighton)

Andrew Balding, trainer of Watch And Learn, should also go close with Dream Catching on the Download The App Handicap At Brighton. A consistent, and more importantly, proven to handle this eccentric course, he looks nicely weighted with talented stable apprentice William Carver taking off a valuable 7lbs.

Grapevine (6.50 Brighton)

Charlie Hills’ Grapevine, a one-time 90 rated performer, has been given a chance to rejuvenate his career after a disappointing 2018 on the flat and he merits consideration on his return from a therapeutic lay-off in the Watch The Videos Handicap.

Michael’s Mount (3.25 Plumpton)

Plumpton have significantly livened up Sunday’s jumping fare with the Core Spreads Sussex Champion Hurdle and have been rewarded with a very competitive event. One of the more interesting hopefuls is Michael’s Mount from the ever shrewd Ian Williams camp, and he will be sharper for his recent spin on the flat at Leicester. The best of his form over timber gives him a solid each-way chance off a mark of 132.