THE feeling of autumn in the weather now spreads to the racecourse tomorrow when quantity rather than quality is the order of the day on two cards which have a real back-end look.
It may be the calm before the storm of Doncaster's St Leger meeting, which kicks-off on Wednesday for a thrilling four-day stint, but excitement is likely to be kept to a minimum at Leicester and Lingfield tomorrow.
That said, there is much to like about the chances of I Tina, who travels to the former venue to bid for the Stag Apprentice Handicap.
Trained by Jonny Portman, whose horses are in excellent form, I Tina gained a deserved win at Chepstoiw last month when beating Mujkari by a neck.
The five-year-old faces a similar task tomorrow over an identical distance and will surely take plenty of beating.
With the accomplished David Kinsella in the saddle, I Tina is awarded the Nap vote.
Kieren Fallon can help his championship prospects by clinching the Filbert Maiden Stakes aboard Aglow, trained by Sir Michael Stoute.
Entered in some fancy races towards the end of the season, Aglow went into many notebooks as a certain future winner after finishing a creditable second to Bells For Martin on her debut at Folkestone. Sure to be wiser this time, she is expected to go one better.
Glowing Lake should not be overlooked in the Rancliffe Selling Nursery.
John Wainwright's two-year-old shaped well to finish fourth in a maiden auction event at York nine days ago and would hardly need to improve on that form to take a hand in the finish tomorrow.
Frankie Dettori, fresh from his brilliant handling of Fantastic Light, slender conqueror of dual-Derby winner Galileo in Ireland on Saturday, will probably arrive at Leicester on a cloud bearing the number nine.
Dettori's trip should be well worthwhile as he teams-up with the highly-regarded Indian Dreamer in the Rempstone Maiden Stakes. A successful debut is anticipated for David Loder's two-year-old.
At Lingfield, Knocktopher Abbey is worthy of a second look in the C & H Hauliers Showcase Handicap.
Although he has found it difficult to get his head in front lately, Rod Millman's gelding finished a good second to Kelburne at Ascot last month and would only need to reproduce that level of form to clinch this prize.
Also worth watching out for at Lingfield are the promising Snowfire (2-00) and Where Are You (4-00), both mounts of Pat Eddery.
Tomorrow's tips:
LEICESTER
2-15 - Aglow
2-45 - Glowing Lake
3-15 - Bahiran
3-45 - Pepperdine
4-15 - Indian Dreamer
4-45 - Afaan
5-15 - I Tina (NAP)
5.45 - Magical Knight
LINGFIELD
2-00 - Snowfire
2-30 - Mystic Forest
3-00 - Northern Desert
3-30 - Knocktopher Abbey
4-00 - Where Are You
4-30 - Monduru
5-00 - Somayya
5.30 - Brocketeer
Updated: 12:21 Monday, September 10, 2001
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article