TAKE PRIDE IN DARCY:
Darcy’s Pride has never been the most reliable of sorts, but there was a lot to like about his performance last time out, when staying on well to finish second to Riflessione in a handicap at Pontefract. With a lot in his favour, he looks ready to go one better and win Beverley’s Stars Of The Future Apprentice Handicap at 4.45pm. He looks nicely weighted, now down to the same mark as his last win, which came at Newcastle last season and has been given the perfect draw here in stall 14. With promising apprentice Neil Farley set to ride, he looks sure to run a big race here.
Rio Sands has not performed particularly well this season, and has a lot of ground to make up on Darcy’s Pride on his run last time out, when finishing seventh behind Riflessione at Pontefract. Also has a poor draw to overcome here and looks set to struggle once again.
Albero De Guida scored twice over six furlongs at Wolverhampton earlier this season, and has performed with credit on his last two starts, most notably last time out when only beaten a nose by Gracie’s Gift in a handicap at Southwell. Would certainly have a chance on that form, but has a very difficult draw to overcome in stall 3, and is therefore overlooked.
Trick Or Two often comes in for market support but very rarely delivers. Weakened very tamely last time out, behind Mey Blossom at Thirsk and looks one to avoid.
Calley Ho did win over six furlongs as a two-year-old, and gave some encouragement on his return to action at Hamilton recently, following an absence of almost a year. However, his overall profile is far from convincing and a wide draw here makes life tough, so likely to find a few too good on this occasion.
Head To Head made all the running when winning over five furlongs at Wolverhampton back in January. Has been bitterly disappointing on both subsequent starts since, but would have a chance at the weights if recapturing his form and he does have a decent draw, so one to consider.
Port Ronan battled back in the closing stages to beat Bronze Beau in a low-grade Redcar handicap last weekend. Has a more difficult task here though under his penalty, and has a tough draw to overcome.
Helping Hand likes to be up with the pace and is dropping down the weights thanks to a poor run of form last season, but lack of a recent outing is more than likely to prove too difficult to overcome.
Commander Wish is currently on a long losing run and his two most recent efforts have given little encouragement. Has a poor draw here and unlikely to make much of an impact in this.
Turf Time has been running consistently well on the all weather, and didn’t run too bad last time out when returning to turf. Finishing sixth of eight to Ryedane, he ran well for some way there and has a decent enough draw here to get involved. Could go well if building on that effort.
Govenor Elliott finished tailed off in a poor seller last time out and has yet to make the frame on any of his twelve starts to date. No reason to think anything will change here and is easily opposed.
Fine And Dandie did show some promise in all weather maiden events, but hasn't beaten a single opponent in handicap races on his last two outings. Not hard to oppose here.
Karate Queen finally showed some ability when finishing fourth to Green Poppy at Redcar on her reappearance, but it seems that normal service was resumed last time out when well beaten behind Ivestar at Hamilton. Not done enough to suggest she can be competitive here.
Menediva has shown very little including when dropped into selling company. Although still lightly raced, she has not shown enough to suggest she is capable of winning here.
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