Cumbrian trainer Martin Todhunter, better known for his exploits over jumps, is currently enjoying a good run on the Flat, which promises to be extended at Thirsk tomorrow.
Todhunter saddles Rosie's Result in the Levy Board Apprentice Handicap, and I fancy this winner at Doncaster last week to oblige again.
It has taken Rosie's Result, who failed to win a race last season, some time to recover his juvenile form but there was much to like about his latest success over Roan Raider, when he won with a little bit to spare.
Jemma Marshall, who is apprenticed to Gary Moore and who gained the third victory of her career when Rosie's Result won at Doncaster, has the mount again tomorrow. A 6lb penalty might not be enough to deny them a double.
The Stanland Warwick Dryer Fillies' Handicap over six furlongs looks a good oppportunity for Estihlal to continue her upward trend.
Ed Dunlop's three-year-old gained a fluent success at Leicester last time, winning by two and a half lengths from Rise, with Miss Judgement, the favourite, a similar distance back in third place. She should make a bold bid to follow-up here.
Forged makes plenty of appeal in the Adrian Tate Handicap over a mile and a half. Luca Cumani's charge was friendless in the market on his latest outing in maiden company at Doncaster but ran a good race to chase home Into The Dark over ten furlongs.
Tomorrow's step up to a mile and a half should suit him perfectly and he can make a winning debut in handicap company. Successful apprentice Nicky Mackay has the mount.
At Ascot, Blackheath, trained by David Nicholls, should not be overlooked in the Ladbrokes Rated Handicap.
The eight-year-old fulfilled the promise of several creditable placed efforts with an overdue success in a valuable handicap at Hamilton last week.
Blackheath now bids to complete a quick double and looks capable of defying a 3lb penalty.
Valance will not be short of supporters in the John Guest Brown Jack Handicap over two miles.
The four-year-old, trained by Charles Egerton, ran out a workmanlike winner at Newmarket last time and looks capable of following-up, with Johnny Murtagh again taking the mount. He is awarded my Nap vote.
Kieren Fallon, always a hard man to keep out of the headlines, shouyld make his presence felt on the Ascot scoreboard.
The champion jockey teams up with the high-class Coy in the Weatherbys Vallant Stakes and this filly, runner-up in her last two starts, is fancied to make it third time lucky.
Friday's tips:
Thirsk
2.05 Honey Ryder, 2.35 Fiefdom, 3.05 Gasparini, 3.40 Chubbes, 4.10 Forged, 4.45 Estihlal, 5.20 Rosie's Result.
Ascot
2.15 Dance Flower, 2.45 Valance (Nap), 3.20 Blackheath, 3.50 Coy, 4.25 Takhmin, 5.00 Breathing Sun.
Tomorrow's other meetings are at Chepstow, Newmarket and Southwell.
Updated: 12:07 Thursday, July 22, 2004
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