4.30 Bath: Class 5 Handicap, 5.5f

It was a massive run by Starproof at Ascot two weeks ago coming off a break and a wind operation. The filly was right up with the pace and travelled strongly, eventually to lead her group on the far side before getting tired to finish a gallant 5th, only 2 lengths beaten.

That was seriously hot race, and it wasn’t a surprise to see her achieve a career-best speed rating that day. If she can build on that run, she should have something in hand right now.

Dropping down in class, and slightly in trip to the 5.5f at Bath should suit, especially as she races against her own sex today. Her draw appears ideal, because having confirmed front-runner Connie’s Rose drawn right beside her will allow Starproof to sit on her tail, getting towed into the closing stages.

The filly is quite ground independent and won’t mind any potential soft patches left in the going description. The handicapper has been kind, having left her on the same 73 mark as she was allowed to race at Ascot. She won’t find many better opportunities to score.

10pts win – Starproof @ 4/1

…….

5.10 Goodwood: Class 3 Handicap, 5f

This doesn’t strike me as the strongest race for this class and that offers Safari Dream a chance to outrun his price, as he who moves up in grade after he caught the eye in his last two runs.

He couldn’t quite find the acceleration in deep ground the last time at Salisbury, yet he travelled incredibly strongly to the 2 furlong marker, and just as he seemed to find momentum again, got squeezed out in the closing stages.

At Windsor on his penultimate start, he travelled strongly too, and didn’t enjoyed the clearest of passages, getting stuck behind horses. Both runs the 4-year-old gelding suggested he’s in excellent form and can strike if things fall right.

The handicapper dropped him another pound, despite those two good runs, which could prove lenient. The better ground today should suit, and he’s ran a career-best speed rating over this course and distance twelve months ago.

10pts win – Safari Dream @ 17/2

……..

7.20 Curragh: Premier Handicap, 1m

I was sweet on Blues Emperor in the Lincoln back in March. That day didn’t panned out the way it was hoped, as he was always in the wind from early on, helping to push hot pace that wasn’t sustainable.

Back from a break since then, he’s back at the Curragh, and over a course and distance he’s got a 2-1-1 record, on decent enough ground that’ll suit.

He should be at his prime this year, after a fruitful campaign in 2023 where he improved with nearly every run – the only truly poor showing came in his final outing, at the end of a tough campaign, which was also Listed race at quirky Listowel, and quite odd the way that particular race panned out.

Prior to that he finished a neck beaten runner-up in the Irish Cambridgeshire, ran with plenty of credit in a hot Galway Handicap, won on Irish Derby Day a competitive Premier Handicap and defied top-weight at Naas.

Today is a highly competitive contest, but one where there should be less competition for the pace than at Doncaster. It can prove crucial racing toward the front over this CD, so he may enjoy the run of the race today. Off a 96 mark, he could still have a bit more to offer as well.

10pts win – Blues Emperor @ 17/2