MOSTAHDAF (7.25) can book his place at Royal Ascot next month by landing the Coral Brigadier Gerard Stakes (7.25) at Sandown.
The four-year-old, trained by John and Thady Gosden, is unbeaten in three previous visits to the Esher track, including last time out when he defeated Foxes Tales in the Gordon Richards Stakes over Thursday’s 1m2f trip. My selection went from strength to strength last season, with his only blemish coming in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot when he was badly hampered.
Of his main rivals, Addeybb goes well fresh – although, at aged eight, his best days may be behind him – and the fast-improving Bay Bridge should go well on his four-year-old debut. However Mostahdaf is the one they all have to beat under Jim Crowley.
At Ripon, BIRKENHEAD (4.25) is running at the peak of his form and is a confident choice in the Download The At The Races App Handicap over five furlongs, The Paul Midgeley-trained five-year-old was first past the post over course and distance 12 days ago but was demoted to second for interference against High Security.
Then last week, wearing blinkers for the first time, Birkenhead improved again to readily take a nine-runner sprint handicap at Catterick by three and a half lengths. With the headgear retained and under regular rider Ryan Sexton, he boasts obvious claims of following up.
Thursday racing tips
CARLISLE
4.40 DOUBLE 0
5.15 SANKS A MILLION
5.50 AUDIT
6.25 JUST WONDER
7.00 DISCRETION
7.35 DETECTIVE
8.10 JAMIL
HAYDOCK
1.10 CATHAYENSIS
1.40 CHICHEN ITZA
2.10 BANDDAR
2.40 LETHAL NYMPH
3.10 SOUND REASON
3.40 ZANBAQ
4.15 EMERALDS PRIDE
RIPON
1.20 LADY BULLET
1.50 DISTINCTION
2.20 SHAKE A LEG
2.50 HEIGHTS OF ABRAHAM
3.20 BETTER HALF
3.50 SHINING BLUE
4.25 BIRKENHEAD (NB)
SANDOWN
5.40 THE WHIPMASTER
6.15 CRISPY CAT
6.50 ENEMY
7.25 MOSTAHDAF (NAP)
8.00 INIGO JONES
8.35 SUPER LOVER
YARMOUTH
1.00 MUMCAT
1.30 ONE NATION
2.00 NAVAL COLLEGE
2.30 THE WRITER
3.00 FLOWER OF THUNDER
3.30 DANDY MAESTRO
4.05 HABANERO STAR
