Believing represents the George Boughey yard this weekend. She will be looking to bounce back after a no-show in the G2 Prix du Gros-Chene, finishing eleventh of 12 over five furlongs.
However, her efforts over six furlongs make her a contender, landing a pair of victories, including the G3 Prix Texanita. Would want soft conditions.
Steph Hollinshead’s runner in the race at Pontefract is Al Simmo. The six-year-old was last of ten on her previous start in the G3 Summer Stakes at York.
She is without a win in two stakes races, and her only victory over six furlongs in six attempts was scored at Newmarket in July 2022.
Another Romance will be the ride of Paul Mulrennan this weekend. The four-year-old from the yard of Simon & Ed Crisford was last in action on the all-weather, as she finished sixth of seven over seven furlongs.
A return to the turf and six furlongs could spark a revival, as she was second of seven earlier in the season at Nottingham.
Craft Irish was in fine form on her previous start, as she landed a fourth career victory on her 12th attempt at Naas.
The success by three lengths from Wave Machine over six furlongs makes her a player this weekend for jockey Graham Lee. However, she could be vulnerable to a more progressive contender.
Gale Force Maya is the most experienced runner in the field for the team of Michael Dods and Connor Beasley. The seven-year-old will be making her 42nd career start this weekend.
She was third of ten on her previous start over six furlongs in the G3 Summer Stakes at York. Holds interesting claims after finishing second in this race 12 months ago.
Ben Curtis takes the ride on Princess Shabnam this weekend. The four-year-old was really disappointing on soft ground at Chester on her previous start, as she finished 26 lengths behind Mitbaahy.
A return to better ground could spark a revival as she was second in handicap company at Chester over the same distance in early July. However, last year’s winner does have questions to answer.
Samedi Rien makes her first start for trainer G Arizkorreta Elosegui this weekend. She was last seen in early August, finishing eleventh of 13 over seven furlongs.
This will be her first start over six furlongs since landing a claiming victory in Fontainebleau in September 2021.
Roger Varian-trained Demi Pointe will be making just her third career start this weekend.
The three-year-old has been away from the track since landing a five-and-a-half-length success over The X O over six furlongs in December. The lay-off would be a concern.
Funny Story represents the Ralph Beckett yard on Sunday. The three-year-old ran a big race at Goodwood over six furlongs on her previous start, finishing two lengths behind Executive Decision.
She has form over this distance, previously landing success at Nottingham in early June. Could be a lively contender for in-form Hector Crouch.
Glenlaurel is yet to win in four starts this calendar year. However, she produced her best run of the season for trainer Kevin Ryan on her most recent start.
She seemed to appreciate the soft conditions as she finished three lengths behind Magical Sunset at Goodwood in the G3 Whispering Angel Oak Tree Stakes. A return to six furlongs could bring out the best in the Tom Eaves runner.
Grant Tuer-trained Glorious Angel was fifth on her previous start at Redcar, and returns to action this weekend after just eight days.
Her latest start was an improved effort, as she finished just a length and three quarters behind Tinto. The Sam James ride has won twice from 14 starts.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/11/23 | NCS | 6 | St | 9-0 | 7 |
| 28/10/23 | DON | 5 | Hy | 8-9 | 2 |
| 21/10/23 | CAT | 5 | Hy | 8-11 | 2 |
| 16/10/23 | MUS | 7 | Gd | 9-7 | 2 |
| 30/09/23 | RIP | 6 | Gd | 8-13 | 4 |
Charlie Johnston and Joe Fanning join forces this weekend with Kitai. The three-year-old was below her best on her previous start, as she finished last of 13 over six furlongs at Goodwood, despite being sent off as favourite.
However, a revival could be likely this weekend after she previously landed success over course and distance in July, beating It Just Takes Time by two and a half lengths.
Charles Bishop takes the ride on Eve Johnson Houghton-trained Rage Of Bamby this weekend. The filly was eleventh from 13 on her return to the track after a 202-day absence at Chelmsford in late April.
She was below her best on that day, but she could be a solid contender if she got back to the same form as this time last year, where she won at Leicester and was third behind Commissioning at Newmarket.
Richard Hannon’s runner in the race this weekend is The Big Board. She will be looking to bounce back after finishing 13th of 14 in the Whispering Angel Handicap at Ascot in late July.
However, her form prior to that performance was solid, recording victories at Ascot and Doncaster over five furlongs, and a win over six furlongs at Leicester.
Harry Davies takes the ride.
