Bathtime For Rupert

First big winner in a while in a quiet month - she gave it a lovely ride. I probably thought a place was more likely but was a big price regardless of his age - handy little drift to 22s too!

1.30 Uttoxeter - 1pt win Very Intense @ 25/1 Bet365

12.30 Uttoxeter - 1pt e/w Quick Draw @ 8/1 Bet365 If fit enough for this (market vibes quite positive) then looks to hold sound each-way hopes having run well in two bumpers. Ran on well to be second on debut and then was a very respectable 7th in a listed bumper over 1m6f next time out. Wouldn't have the speed for that in good company and always looked like going hurdling over further would suit on pedigree and runs so far. Very unexposed still and conditions ought to suit here with an extra emphasis on stamina going hurdling over 2m4f. Open to plenty of improvement now and I'd be disappointed if he didn't make the first three. 1.30 Uttoxeter - 1pt e/w Very Intense @ 25/1 Bet365 Hasn't run since February when flopping on heavy ground but this should be more suitable and there are some promising signs returning from an absence given this one has plenty of good form when fresh. Was only narrowly denied at Fakenham two starts back (pair clear, winner went close off higher next time) and if returning with a run anything like that, would go close here with conditions to suit, so worth chancing at such a big price. 1.50 Newmarket - 1pt win Fooraat @ 15/2 Bet365 Unexposed type who hasn't quite built on its impressive win at Chelmsford earlier in the year but has had excuses - off the pace in a slowly run race at Epsom when not handling the track all that well and then ran on heavy ground last time, albeit respectably. His full brother Benbatl, who also runs today, has flopped on soft ground so very plausible he can bounce back on a sounder surface today and on a more galloping track. 2.15 Haydock - 1pt e/w Mahanakhon Power @ 14/1 Bet365 Fair to say the market vibes are not strong for this one on handicap debut and it's probably the case that his handicap mark flatters him but does have 7lbs taken off his back here and this test should suit better. Not done a great deal in novices over shorter but did stay on to some effect last time out over the extended 1m1f at Wolverhampton and is very much bred to stay so the extra furlong here and a more testing surface should help. Drifted out to a big price so will have a tentative play. 2.35 Uttoxeter - 1pt e/w Follow the Swallow @ 20/1 Bet365 Off a featherweight I think the 12yo in the field could go well at a big price having produced a more than satisfactory return to action last time, only fading on the run-in and this one has an excellent record second time out after an absence. Gets its ground today too and has place prospects at least. 3.00 Newmarket - 1pt win Santosha @ 17/2 Bet365 Santosha beat Isabella Giles two starts back over 6f yet that one is a 2/1 shot here and I think Santosha looks the value bet here. Had no chance after completely blowing the start last time out so can draw a line through that effort and should be absolutely fine going up to 7f today on both track evidence and pedigree so surprising to see such a big price here in a small field.

4.00 Perth - 1pt win Another Theatre @ 16/1 Bet365

1.10 Perth - 1pt e/w Farocco @ 20/1 Bet365 9 runners here and I just thought I'd give an each way squeak to Farocco who whilst not setting anything alight in his hurdling career, has had plenty of excuses along the way be it the company he faced, the ground or something being amiss during the race. Has looked a little bit better since allowed to stride out prominently in his races and wasn't beaten too far last time behind a couple of decent types. This is easier and whilst needing to prove he stays, in a weak race is a big price so will give him another chance. 1.50 Newmarket - 1pt win Olympic Theatre @ 17/2 Bet365 Only a small field but plenty who like to go forward so hopefully we'll get an end to end gallop here to the benefit of Olympic Theatre. Typically gets outpaced before staying on again over 7f and the extra furlong here can suit with plenty of stamina on his dam's side. Stiff finish here can suit too and looks overlooked here at a big price given there are only 5 runners. 2.05 Pontefract - 1pt e/w Dontaskmeagain @ 15/2 Bet365 A bit disconcerting that there's not much support around for this one after a lengthy break but clearly was amiss when flopping last time but looks to hold a big chance if fit on his two novice wins. Won very readily twice over 7f including on soft ground with the form decent too and suggesting this mark wouldn't be beyond him. Very much bred to come into his own over middle distances which he gets here and if fit ought to go well. 2.25 Newmarket - 1pt e/w Caspian Queen @ 9/1 Bet365 Should be a good gallop on here and Caspian Queen has had excuses this season and could be primed to strike now. Ought to have won at Goodwood earlier in the summer when hampered, outpaced and then flying home for a close 2nd and never travelled at this venue next time out. Has been given time between runs since and ran as well as could be expected really in a listed event at Pontefract last time out. Can follow a good pace here and hopefully strike late. 4.00 Perth - 1pt e/w Another Theatre @ 16/1 Bet365 Was never put in the race on seasonal reappearance here last time and I'm hoping with fitness improved, he can be sighted a bit more today up in trip. An easy 2m4f should be within range and he does have enough ability to threaten here if on a going day. Can get behind in his races so I'm hoping for a more positive ride here today which allows him to get involved in the contest. 4.20 Pontefract - 1pt e/w Mushaarif @ 15/2 PP Ought to have been placed last time when running into trouble late on and conditions are spot on for him here. A stiff 5f is ideal and I'm hoping he can sit handy here and kick off the home turn. Has stronger handling today with Paul Hanagan taking over and he has plenty of course form. Has looked a winner in waiting a couple of times this season already and I think with a decent early position, should go close.

1.35 Redcar - 1pt win My Little Queens @ 11/1 Bet365

1.00 Redcar - 0.5pts e/w Bobby's Rose @ 50/1 Bet365 Poor race and with conditions turning thought it might be worth chancing one at a huge price. Bobby's Rose could never get involved last time out but raced in the rear before keeping on only at the one pace when its best form has come when running prominently. Hopefully can bounce out a bit better here as she doesn't have much of a turn of foot but looks capable of keeping on from closer to the pace. Dam enjoyed soft ground so that could play to this one's strength too and is potentially well drawn here so just thought I'd chance her at such a big price. 1.35 Redcar - 1pt e/w My Little Queens @ 11/1 Bet365 Richard Fahey's runner goes handicapping off a lowly mark but is sure to benefit from the extra furlong here and shaped with some promise in novice runs. Never had much chance at the weights last time out at Wolverhampton and wasn't given a hard time at all, including being pulled extremely wide turning in and I think we can expect a much better run now going handicapping in a winnable race. 1.50 Goodwood - 2pts win Plantadream @ 10/3 Bet365 The favourite has been well beaten both times he's encountered conditions softer than good which is what I anticipate the ground to be there in a couple of hours and Plantadream looks a very viable alternative having won well at Ascot last time. Still fairly lightly raced, mark looks fair on a going day and whilst unraced so far on soft ground, being by Planteur would suggest it won't be a problem at all and can get the job done again here. 1.55 Perth - 1pt e/w Whoa Black Betty @ 16/1 Bet365 Shaped as if needing the run on handicap debut last time and I think we can expect better today. Showed promise in novices last year and ended up finishing around about some horses who have secured higher marks than what this one runs off here and if stepping up for the outing last time, can go well at a big price now. 2.55 Goodwood - 2pts win Oriental Mystique @ 8/1 Bet365 I think David Simcock's charge is being overlooked here as she has solid form in the book and so long as forgiving her run last time out in France, would have every change here. Has shaped as if 1m2f with give in the ground would be her absolute optimum and a run such as that in France two starts back would see her go very close and even when needing the run on quicker ground on seasonal reappearance, her effort on first run this year wouldn't see her beaten miles either so think 8/1 is a generous price today.

Seconditis for weeks. And Royal Brave given a shocking ride - should have won.

3.50 Beverley - 1pt win Athmad @ 12/1 Bet365

1.55 Lingfield - 1pt e/w Marion's Boy @ 16/1 Bet365 Half brother to the talented Tip Two Win and this one's dam was an all-weather performer which bodes well for his debut on the artificial surfaces. Ran in two very hot novice races last year so can be excused for finishing down the field before only being beaten 1/2l in a 5 horse finish on seasonal reappearance. That form can be questioned and his midfield run last time wasn't brilliant either but has been freshened up since and interesting his best run has come after a break. Makes his all-weather debut off a fairly modest mark and is worth chancing at a big price. 2.05 Beverley - 1pt win Tangled @ 7/1 Bet365 Looks to be a decent pace on here and that will suit Tangled who is 2-2 when running here (both over c&d) and is typically quite consistent so can forgive its poor run last time out in a good race. This represents an ease in grade and will relish coming from off the pace here with the stiff finish suiting. Only 1lb higher than when winning here on its last visit and can bounce back today. 2.55 Warwick - 1pt e/w Bellatrix Lestrange @ 9/1 Bet365 Twice placed in bumpers but her jumping has let her down since going over hurdles, though hasn't been disgraced in good ground novice races so far. Goes handicapping off a fair mark now and should find this easier. No issue with conditions so if she can brush up her jumping this afternoon can get involved at a handy price for Richard Johnson. 3.15 Beverley - 2pts win Royal Brave @ 4/1 Bet365 Competitive race and a big field but Rebecca Bastiman's charge looks to hold big hopes here off a reduced mark having shaped okay of late. Finished well at Musselburgh last time out, shaping as if the stiffer finish here would suit and also ran well four starts back when again getting ideal conditions of 5f on decent ground. Was running competitively off marks in the 70s not long ago so running here off 64 with the yard back in better form makes a lot of appeal from a good draw. 3.50 Beverley - 1pt e/w Athmad @ 12/1 Bet365 Doesn't win very often but conditions suit here and he's down in the weights and grade today. Shaped okay over 1m2f last time when he's better over a mile and wasn't disgraced at Pontefract a couple of starts back in a better race than he contests today. Conditions to fall down to an attractive mark and with conditions to suit, looks to hold solid each-way claims. 4.55 Beverley - 1pt e/w Thorntoun Care @ 9/1 Bet365 There are 5 horses who like to go forward in this contest and I'm hoping they'll set it up for strong stayer at this trip, Thorntoun Care, who will relish the stiff finish here. This is easier than some of this one's recent races and that should help them come back to him in the closing stages. No problem with the mark, didn't stay over 1m6f on soft last time so can forgive that run and if not getting too far back, can stay on well late on to hopefully make the frame at the very least.

3.15 Warwick - 1pt win Tree of Liberty @ 12/1 Bet365

12.45 Warwick - 1pt e/w Achy Breaky Heart @ 10/1 Bet365 Favourite is solid but has to give plenty of weight away under a double penalty, the second favourite is not proven at this trip and the third favourite comes back off a lengthy absence so with 3 places on offer, I think Robin Dickin's runner has a solid chance of making the frame at the very least. Needs good ground to be at its best, as shown in points and when a solid 2nd last time out. I don't think the extra furlong will be a problem at all when runner up to a type who I'd expect to go in again when next seen so although that form isn't as strong as the favourite's, there's a sizeable weight difference between them here and I'm hopeful we can make the first three at least. 1.45 Warwick - 0.5pts e/w Red Charmer @ 22/1 Hills Taking a big leap of faith with this one but is a big price so no major risk involved and it's a poor race. Lots of these have something to prove and whilst Red Charmer is a 10-year-old now and has shown nothing over hurdles so far, all of these have come under testing conditions and I would strongly suspect a bare 2 miles on decent ground is what this one would want in the jumping sphere. Does finally get that today so is worth giving one final go over hurdles in a poor contest. 2.00 Leicester - 1pt e/w Flirty Rascal @ 9/1 Bet365 Competitive race and there looks plenty of pace in here and that could play into the hands of Flirty Rascal. Was disappointing when last seen but that came just 3 days after a solid 2nd at Goodwood and perhaps was too soon. Been off for 10 days since and conditions ought to suit here. Hopefully can get a decent lead off the pace setters and come through late. 2.55 Hamilton - 1pt win Red Bravo @ 13/2 Hills Red Bravo looks to hold every chance here with conditions to suit and a stiff finish that will play to his strengths. Was slowly away and couldn't get involved despite running on at Chepstow last time and was only narrowly held there a couple of starts back. On a winnable mark and should be coming home well up the hill today. 3.15 Warwick - 1pt e/w Tree of Liberty @ 12/1 Bet365 This is significantly easier than the race Tree of Liberty ran in at Perth last time and he just downed tools once headed after his jumping went to pot half way through the contest - still wasn't beaten miles and will find these easier to dominate if jumping better with blinkers applied. Continues to slide down the weights and should enjoy this track so at a double figure price looks an attractive proposition down in grade. 3.25 Hamilton - 2pts win Show Palace @ 7/1 Hills Today can be the day for Show Palace having had obvious excuses the last twice - would have won with a clear run two starts back and despite racing keenly last time was right there 100 yards out before fading - was found to have a cut on its leg afterwards and now returns with softer ground in his favour and hopefully can just be allowed to bowl along here rather than be restrained. Big chance at a decent price.

1.45 Plumpton - 1pt win Princess Midnight @ 12/1 Bet365

1.20 Ayr - 1pt win Recovery Run @ 4/1 Bet365 2.15 Newbury - 0.5pts e/w Kingbrook @ 10/1 Bet365 2.30 Ayr - 1pt win Kings Lynn @ 4/1 Bet365 Res: 1.40 Newbury - 1pt win Wise Words @ 7/1 Bet365

1.20 Ayr - 2pts win Recovery Run @ 4/1 Bet365 A few in here with chances but Andrew Balding's runner has been going well despite races not quite going his way in my eyes. Won from a smart type in a novice two starts back and was narrowly held in a slowly run race at Kempton last time. Looks like he wants a stronger test - no surprise being by Nathaniel - and hopefully a better pace here and the slightly more testing ground will help with that. Still looks fairly handicapped and hopefully can outstay these at the finish. 1.40 Newbury - 1pt win Wise Words @ 7/1 Bet365 I backed Equilateral at York and whilst clearly has a chance, I'm not convinced by him to be honest. Travelled well and despite not having a lot of room, didn't exactly pick up when in the clear. I think he needs a real fast pace to run at so I'm just going to side against with the progressive Wise Words. Plenty of good form last year and although in handicaps, was narrowly beaten by Tinto giving 8lbs away when running off a mark of 90, with the pair 6 lengths clear, so was not just any old handicapper. Was a big eyecatcher last time out when having to fall back towards the rear having found a wall of horses in front but stayed on powerfully late on. Hopefully this doesn't come too soon today as if it doesn't, looks a live contender. 2.15 Newbury - 1pt e/w Kingbrook @ 10/1 Bet365 Shaped very well when 3rd after a long absence, just behind Tenbury Wells and was always likely to come into his own over middle distances. Plenty of worthwhile form over 7f and a mile last year but ought to come on for reappearance and conditions suit off a fair mark so ought to go well. 2.30 Ayr - 2pts win King's Lynn @ 4/1 Bet365 Nothing original about selecting the short price favourite in a huge field but if he's on the right part of the track will take the world of beating in my eyes. Looks more than fairly handicapped on form to date, still unexposed and ought to come on for his clear 2nd to a now 111-rated rival last time out. Done nothing wrong so far, any give in the ground won't inconvenience on pedigree and looks the one to be on here. 3.40 Ayr - 1pt e/w Another Batt @ 18/1 Bet365 Hung right throughout last time in Ireland and is worth giving him another chance on the basis of his smooth reappearance win. I thought a testing 6f would help him and he ought to relish the big field pace on offer here. Has enough speed to live with these and get into the race if the gaps appear and back down to 6f off a mark that still looks fair on old form, could bounce back, especially as that win came from off the pace with the next few home all racing prominently throughout.