15:50 Redcar

Saturday 12 August 2017

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Racing UK Straight-Mile Series Handicap (Qualifier)

Off time: 15:52 | Winning time: 1m 38.56s

(7)

Strong Steps¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: P Makin| T: J S Goldie| OR: 86| D

9/2

Not with this trainer for too long (claimed at Chester in late June), and kept on strongly to score by ¾L when upped to 1m at Ayr late last month (good to soft). Raised 4lb but has won off higher marks in the past so considered.

Form: 502281

(9)

Bouclier¹¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 85| D

12/1

Fairly prolific on the AW (33% strike rate), and won his last two starts on synthetics for David Loughnane at Kempton (6f) and Lingfield (1m). Off since April and makes his stable debut on turf from a career high mark.

Form: 40-9311

(4)

Intense Style^v1¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Connor Beasley| T: J L Eyre| OR: 82

9/1

Never won beyond 6f, although he does appear to have a clear preference for a softer surface. Slowly away and never in the race at Pontefract latest, so no surprise that the visor goes on this afternoon, but arguably vulnerable over this trip.

Form: 002708

(5)

Zodiakos^p⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Adam J McNamara⁽³⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 82| D

7/2

An improved performer for the application of headgear and has won two of his last three starts (at Ayr and Beverley). He was far from disgraced in the competitive Thirsk Summer Cup last weekend (fifth) and should run his race from just 4lb above his last winning mark.

Form: 440115

(6)

Rashford's Double^p¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 81| D

11/1

Thrived last back-end notching a quickfire treble which kicked off on the AW at Newcastle. He really ran right through the line over the floodlit straight mile and has no stamina concerns whatsoever, but revised marks have proved beyond him this term and he's probably a fraction too high in the weights.

Form: 11-9630

(3)

Pullman Brown⁹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: P Aspell| T: P A Kirby| OR: 74

16/1

Not sampled success since his Irish days at Gowran in September 2015 (for David Marnane) and returns from a short break on just his fourth start for this trainer. Needs to do more and might be one to take advantage of a lower AW mark in time.

Form: 08-8656

(2)

Town Charter¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 79

6/1

Hasn't fulfilled his potential since winning a maiden in a pleasing manner at Ayr in July 2016, and whilst dropped a few pounds in the weights is tricky to fancy. Switches back to turf after making his AW debut in the Beeswing Handicap at Newcastle last month.

Form: 344646

(1)

Ventura Secret³^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 61| D

11/4

Arrives in good order under a penalty after a game, gritty neck success at Pontefract on Wednesday (1m soft). Now successful in two of his last three starts, but this contest is a grade higher and despite having conditions to suit the busy spell could conceivably take its toll. Respected.

Form: 657141

Non-Runners

(8)

Timeless Art⁷

Weight: 9-9| Age: 4

T: K R Burke J: B A Curtis

Forecasts

Ventura Secret (11/4), Zodiakos (7/2), Strong Steps (9/2), Town Charter (6/1), Intense Style (9/1), Rashford's Double (11/1), Bouclier (12/1), Timeless Art (12/1), Pullman Brown (16/1)

Wednesday's Pontefract winner Ventura Secret merits respect under similar ground conditions, but it's worth noting that this contest is a grade higher and conceivably his recent busy spell could eventually take its toll. Zodiakos is another horse that has been in fine fettle (since the application of headgear), and he might just have another race in the locker despite being beaten in a fair contest at Thirsk last weekend, but the vote just goes to the recently acquired Jim Goldie trained top-weight STRONG STEPS. Too pardon a pun he looked strong when upped to 1m at Ayr in late July, and having won from higher marks earlier in his career, a subsequent 4lb rise might not be enough to stop him following up.