Arlequin, who failed to enjoy much luck when a creditable third at York’s May Festival, is fancied to gain handsome compensation at Redcar this afternoon in the feature race.
The £27,500 Totepool Zetland Gold Cup is the target for the North Yorkshire gelding, trained at Middleham by James Bethell, and the mount of Frankel’s jockey Tom Queally, who rides the four-year-old for the first time.
Philip Robinson was in the saddle when Arlequin ran in a hot handicap at York three weeks ago and finished third to the useful Pekan Star after meeting trouble in running early in the home straight. That was a rock-solid performance from a horse who had advertised his ability on his previous start at Doncaster when he ran out a decisive winner.
Ingleby Spirit, who was no far behind Arlequin at York and who represents Richard Fahey, figures among the dangers, along with other North Yorkshire horses, including Pendragon (Brian Ellison) and Prince Of Johanne (Tom Tate), but Arelquin is fancied to have the edge.
Nawton trainer David O’Meara, whose horses are in tremendous form, has good prospects of completing a first and last race double at Redcar, courtesy of Tip Top Gorgeous and Simple Jim.
Tip Top Gorgeous was thrown in at the deep end on her debut at Beverley last week when taking on smart previous winners in the Hilary Needler Trophy, but she shaped with promise to finish fifth, beaten nine lengths by the winner Dozy – now Royal Ascot-bound for either the Queen Mary Stakes or the Albany Stakes.
Tip Top Gorgeous faces considerably less testing opposition in the opening maiden auction stakes, and, provided this quick reappearance does not count against her, she should run a big race.
Simple Jim has failed to cut any ice in two outings this season, but he was far from disgraced last time out at Newcastle. Both his starts to date have been over 12 furlongs, but he’s back up to a more suitable one and three-quarter miles in the totepool Handicap.
He has dropped to a very attractive mark of 53 and with Silvestre de Sousa aboard, he is napped to win a modest contest.
Also worth noting today are the promising Well Sharp (3.35) and the consistent Bertiewhittle (4.45), both overdue wins.
There is also a Redcar meeting tomorrow and the nap vote is for Tim Easterby’s Fast Shot (5.00), who shaped really well on his debut at Musselburgh when third 11 days ago. He should go well under David Allan.
Easterby also has good prospects with new recruit Hayek (5.30) in the very modest amateur riders’ maiden.
Racing selections
Redcar (Today)
2.25 Tip Top Gorgeous, 3.00 Playful Girl, 3.35 Well Sharp, 4.10 Arlequin, 4.45 Bertiewhittle, 5.20 Simple Jim (NAP).
Today’s other meetings
Carlisle, Cartmel, Chepstow, Goodwood, Leicester, redcar and Towcester.
Redcar (Tomorrow)
2.30 Inetrobil, 3.00 Frognal, 3.30 Petsas Pleasure, 4.00 Bronze Beau, 4.30 Lady Chloe, 5.00 Fast Shot (NAP), 5.30 Hayek.
Tomorrow’s other meetings
Ffos Las, Leicester and Yarmouth.
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