Miles don't matter when there's a winning opportunity knocking and David Nicholls has spotted one such chance on Tuesday at Bath, which means a long haul for Proud Boast from his yard near Easingwold.
Owned by Peter Savill, the BHB chairman, Proud Boast, previously trained by Geraldine Rees, joined Nicholls only this season.
The six-year-old has wasted no time, however, in striking winning form.
At Beverley recently, on only her second outing for her new handler, she won a competitive sprint in gutsy style from the useful Caribbean Coral.
Tomorrow, she tackles the European Breeders' Fund Lansdown Fillies' Stakes, a Listed-race over five furlongs, which, with £30,000 in prize money, is the showpiece of the Bath programme.
A smart speedster, clearly in good form, Proud Boast will surely make a bold bid, after her long trip from North Yorkshire.
In the saddle will be Kevin Darley, who at Newmarket next Sunday, will be aboard Mark Johnston's Attraction, unbeaten in five races as a juvenile, in the 1,000 Guineas.
The bet365 Fillies' Handicap offers another opportunity to the fairer sex, and this 11-furlongs event looks a good opportunity for the promising Grand Quest.
The four-year-old, trained by Marcus Tregoning, will have the assistance of Johnny Murtagh, a significant jockey booking for my Nap selection in what looks an ordinary event.
Alaloof gets my vote in the Nationwide Property Finance Handicap over ten furlongs.
John Dunlop's filly ran only three times last season, at up to one mile and showed promise on more than one occasion.
She looks to the type to come into her own this year over a longer distance. Richard Hills has the mount.
Frankie Dettori, winging all around the country this season in search of winners, is unlikely to be left empty-handed tomorrow.
Dettori can land the Exxon Mobil Maiden Auction Stakes on interesting newcomer Al Qudra, trained by Brian Meehan, and also has good prospects aboard in-form all-weather performer Absolute Utopia in the Oval Of Bath, Peugeot, Selling Stakes.
Tomorrow's only other afternoon action is a jumps meeting at Newton Abbot.
Andrew Tinkler, fresh from finishing a close-up third in the conditional jockeys' championship, which ended on Saturday, looks likely to figure among the winners.
The Malton-born teenager can score on Sigwells Club Boy in the "Get Yourself Noticed" Intermediate Handicap Hurdle.
Also worth noting is the in-form Polar Scout, trained by Charlie Mann, in the newtonabbotracing.com Handicap Hurdle over two and threequarter miles. The gelding is a winner over this course and distance.
Scotmail Boy has been retired after breaking down during last Saturday's Betfred Gold Cup at Sandown. The Howard Johnson-trained 11-year-old was pulled up before the third-last fence by Graham Lee.
Tuesday's tips:
Bath
2.00 Magnetic Pole, 2.30 Grand Quest (Nap), 3.00 Proud Boast, 3.30 Al Qudra, 4.00 Absolute Utopia, 4.30 Alaloof, 5.00 After The Show.
Newton Abbot
2.15 Sigwells Club Boy, 2.45 Lou Du Moulin Mas, 3.15 Polar Scout, 3.45 Mr Dow Jones, 4.15 Jabiru, 4.45 Bak On Board, 5.15 Cornish Sett.
Tomorrow's other meetings are at Lingfield (Flat, all-weather track, evening) and Southwell (Flat, all-weather track, evening).
Tom O'Ryan's Nap for this afternoon's racing was: Sentry (3.50 at Hamilton).
Updated: 12:30 Monday, April 26, 2004
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