Johnny Murtagh, who will be bidding for his third Derby success at Epsom on Saturday aboard Salford City, travels to Haydock tomorrow with excellent prospects of getting into the winning groove in the feature race of the day.
Murtagh teams up with Court Masterpiece in the £30,000 Bank of Scotland Corporate Stakes and is fancied to steer Ed Dunlop's colt to victory.
A progressive three-year-old last season before suffering a fractured fetlock at Goodwood, Court Masterpiece made a full recovery from that injury and made an encouraging return to action, back at Goodwood, last month.
In finishing third to Naahy over seven furlongs, Court Masterpiece teed himself up for a lucrative summer ahead.
He meets Naahy on 11lb better terms tomorrow and is selected to turn the tables on that tough rival and also have the edge on Suggestive and New Seeker.
Steel Blue is selected to show his rivals the way home in the Princess Royal Trust Classified Stakes over six furlongs.
Richard Whitaker's four-year-old made a winning reappearance at Doncaster in March and followed up in brave style at Ripon last week.
Progressing well, Steel Blue should make a bold bid to oblige again tomorrow. Tony Culhane, in the saddle at Ripon, has the mount once more.
The promising Majorca (2.20) and the speedy Grey Cossack (4.50) are two others to note at Haydock.
Up at Hamilton, Paul Hanagan can take the honours in the Hamilton Park Series Handicap (Qualifier) on Mount Pekan, just as he did 12 months ago on Cyclonic Storm.
Trained near Glasgow by Jim Goldie, Mount Pekan is not the most straightforward horse, but he shaped really well over this course and distance three weeks ago when beaten less than a length into third by Jordan's Elect, after meeting trouble in running.
A clear passage this time should ensure Mount Pekan has every chance of getting back on top.
Hanagan can also hit the target on Templet in the Howard McDowell Classified Stakes.
Ian Semple's gelding was a beaten favourite on this course last time out, but had excuses for that defeat, being barged on the rails two furlongs out when poised just behind the leaders. In the end, he had to settle for third place behind Golden Empire.
Templet is napped to gain compensation tomorrow.
Also worthy of consideration at Hamilton are course specialist Exalted (2.10) and the promising Rockburst (3.10).
Thursday's tips:
Haydock
2.20 Majorca, 2.50 Bowland Bride, 3.20 Court Masterpiece, 3.50 Baltic Blazer, 4.20 Steel Blue, 4.50 Grey Cossack.
Hamilton
2.10 Exalted, 2.40 Goldhill Prince, 3.10 Rockburst, 3.40 Mount Pekan, 4.10 Templet (NAP), 4.40 Wendy's Girl.
Tomorrow's other meetings are at Chepstow, Hamilton, Sandown (evening) and Uttoxeter (evening).
Updated: 15:18 Wednesday, June 02, 2004
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