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1.40 - ebfstallions.com Edinburgh Castle Conditions Stakes (5f)
A daunting start for punters as a case can easily be made for any of the five runners in this Conditions sprint.
Beauzon, Boonie and Red Warning all have wins under their belts already. Kevin Ryan's Boonie is the logical choice of that trio, he was impressive with a taking opening success at Beverley on quick ground in mid-April and it's probable he's going to improve nicely for that experience.
Michael Dods saw Red Warning improve from first to second run as he won a maiden at Ayr 17 days ago and he's a player too.
Secret Strength was runner-up at Newmarket on debut over this trip, though Richard Hannon's Mehmas colt has since finished well-held over 6f at York, leaving him with work to do and so the selection is BIG BOY HARLEY.
Also by Mehmas, Keith Dalgleish's colt chased home Bond Chairman over this C&D on debut in late April, beaten three-parts of a length. They ran a good time and the winner was not disgraced since in a Listed contest at Sandown. There should be progress in Callum Rodriguez's mount and they can make the most of receiving 2lb from the three previous winners.
2.15 - Join Racing TV Now Handicap (7f)
Yoshimi (first), King Of Tonga (second) and Chookie Dunedin (third) filled the podium in a Class 5 C&D event in late April here, though each of the trio has failed to perform quite as well in one run since at different venues. The front two may prefer being back on this quicker surface and so bounce-back efforts cannot be discounted from them. King Of Tonga has a useful 5lb claimer in his corner, so in that scenario he should be going close.
For sheer reliability, look no further than Donnelly's Rainbow for Harvey Bastiman. Two of his five career wins (5-47) have come at this course and he wasn't far off those aforementioned principles in April. He ran well again since at Catterick (7f, soft; third) but on the downside he does remain 8lb clear of his previous win-benchmark.
Instead it's worth siding with dual C&D winner GWEEDORE for Katie Scott's team. He gained those wins here last season of soft/good going and last month's fourth at Ayr over this distance is a base from which we should see him building. That was his opening effort on turf for this season and it was a good one accounting for the fact he was worked up in the stalls and quite keen in the early part of the race. He's got a fine working relationship with Andrew Breslin and further progress as a four-year-old is very likely.
2.50 - Watch On Racing TV Handicap (7f)
Another tricky handicap. Captain Cooper looked quite promising when he scored at Newcastle on the all-weather early in the year but, following a short break, he hasn't built on that in either turf run recently - with neither front-running or hold-up tactics paying off. He's got time on his side but work to be done.
Sir Benedict has run well in two starts recently and last weekend's placed effort at Haydock (6f, good to soft) was a hint that he might excel now upped to this distance for the first time. Ian Williams' charge is certainly one to keep in mind here.
Bulls Aye won a C&D novice event in September on his third and final start at two. He's open to progress this season, though Iain Jardine's Intello gelding does lack a run coming here.
TITAN ROCK is the preferred option. John Quinn's son of Belardo won a Glorious Goodwood maiden over this trip last summer that has thrown up a host of winners (six). That run was on quick ground and his two runs after were creditable - in the York's Group 3 Acomb Stakes and the £122k Doncaster 2YO Sales race.
He was easy to back for last month's Goodwood return (7f, soft) but moved quite well through the race before failing to find much on soft ground. It also looked as though he'd strip fitter for the outing. He's been eased a pound for that effort and will be much more at home on this quicker surface. He's got plenty upside going into his 3YO season and is one to stay onside with.
3.25 - Racing TV Edinburgh Cup Handicap (1m4½f)
Mark Johnston accounts for half of the six-runner Edinburgh Cup field, the Middleham trainer saddling Annandale (Hollie Doyle), Glen Again (Connor Beasley) and Bailey Birthday (Joe Fanning). The last-named is a son of New Approach and is bidding to shed his maiden tag after a hat-trick of runner-up finishes this spring on turf. He's not doing much wrong and handles all ground seemingly, so from an unchanged mark it's likely he gets involved in the finish.
Annandale meanwhile had won three of his previous five starts prior to flopping at Newbury (1m3f, good to soft; 7/4fav) last month. A return to quicker ground is in his favour and it's probable he can leave that tame run behind quite quickly, coming as he does from this source. The Australia colt is respected.
Tim Easterby's Golden Dove is the only filly in the field. Megan Nicholls partners her and they should be suited on pedigree going up to this distance. Last time out, they were no match for Heights Of Abraham at Ripon (1m2f, soft-to-heavy), when some 6½-lengths second-best. The winner was disappointing since at Haydock and, on the revised terms with a new trip/faster ground, the filly has claims of reversing that Ripon form.
DHUSHAN is a Sea The Stars colt with a bright future for William Haggas. He was runner-up at Goodwood (1m, good) and Doncaster (1m2f, good) on first two starts (seven month apart) before justifying long odds-on favouritism to get on the board at Haydock (1m4f, good to firm) when taking a novice event as he pleased six weeks ago. On that evidence, there's lots more to come from him and an opening handicap mark of 85 shouldn't prevent the follow up as he looks to have pattern-race potential.
4.00 - Every Race Live On RacingTV Maggie Dickson Stakes (Fillies' and Mares' Listed, 7f)
Just Beautiful is 3-3 on the all-weather and should give a good account on turf bow, albeit this represents a jump up in class for her. She's one to monitor in the betting for sure.
Ventura Diamond is amongst the most reliable options. Richard Fahey's Dandy Man filly won twice last season at 6f (including Listed) though both came on heavy ground. She's produced placed efforts in this grade the last twice and won her maiden on good-to-firm last year, so the forecast ground isn't viewed as a negative and she may well start favourite here given that solid profile.
Gale Force Maya arrives on the back of a personal-best when making all to win a Doncaster handicap over this trip on fast ground six weeks ago. She'll require another benchmark to land this, however.
Breath Of Joy was an excellent second to Raaeb on the all-weather in April's seasonal bow and Amy Murphy's Kodiac filly should relish this longer trip back on turf. She won both starts on grass last season and Hollie Doyle's mount is worth her place in this grade. She's the one for each-way money in an open contest.
Hugo Palmer's Chocoya was behind Ventura Diamond last season and disappointed last time on heavy ground at Nottingham, but these conditions are almost sure to be more to her liking.
A Listed winner at Dundalk last season, ZAFFY'S PRIDE has positive turf form behind 2000 Guineas winner Poetic Flare from her 2YO campaign and, following good efforts in Group 3s at Leopardstown and the Curragh this spring, Jessica Harrington's filly made a bid for the Irish 1000 Guineas recently.
Heavy ground there did her no favours, while she also ran into traffic woes and, in the end, was beaten 10½-lengths in finishing last of 14. That likely isn't a true reflection of her ability. The drop in class and the prospect of a faster surface look to be heavily in favour of the Irish raider and she can plunder this prize
4.55 - Visit Racingtv.com Handicap (5f)
Primo's Comet is the horse to focus on. He went off 4/1 favourite over C&D in early April but finished down the field with a poor showing. Four weeks later and 14/1 this time, he got the job done, thus taking advantage of a declining mark. He's up 4lb and still on a possibly lenient perch. He's won 3-10 starts over C&D and is as likely as any, but he's got to bring his A-game and the market should identify his case in what isn't the strongest contest.
Militia beat Primo's Comet here last season and is a three-time C&D winner. He was poor recently at Redcar but is certainly on a good mark if he bounces back now.
COWBOY SOLDIER went close at Thirsk (5f, good to firm) on debut for new trainer Roger Fell at the start of May, finishing second on his first run since October. A seven-day turnaround and switching to soft ground were perhaps both factors in his lesser Nottingham run next time. He's had a month off since and if he can build on the promise of that initial showing, a race like this is within reach.
5.30 - Racing TV Silk Series Handicap (Pro-Am Female Jockeys, 1m6f)
Where will it end for ICONIC BELLE, winner of her last five starts on all-weather/turf? It's been some run of form for Phil Kirby's mare and connections will feel they've landed on another good opportunity here. She had plenty in hand at Doncaster five weeks ago and while a 6lb rise leaves her on a career-high mark, everything points to another big run under Megan Nicholls.
My Girl Maggie is in good tune but her front-running style will play to the strengths of Iconic Belle and may inevitably set the race up for her. Wise Eagle's own run of three straight wins was ended at York a fortnight ago but that was on much softer ground. This is tougher than the Catterick races she won previously but Ella McCain's 5lb claim is handy and stamina certainly won't be a worry.
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