Following last Saturday’s hugely-exciting Epsom Derby, the British racing scene returns to normal with relatively low-key televised fixtures from Sandown and York this Saturday.
At Sandown, it’s the bettercasino.com Scurry Stakes that occupies centre stage and Ger Lyons may well continue his purple patch with Dohasa in this prestigious five-furlong contest.
The gelding brought himself to the attentions of a wider audience by winning a three-year-old conditions race over six furlongs at Leopardstown on May 21. Dohasa gamely beat Prince Shaun by one-length on that occasion. As the Pat Flynn-trained Prince Shaun is a three-year-old with genuine Group aspirations, it augurs well for Dohasa in this company and the son of Bold Fact is taken to continue on his merry way at the expense of the hat-trick seeking Temple Of Thebes.
Henry Cecil is experiencing another good campaign and the Warren Place handler looks set to collect the Better Now Have 40 Shops Handicap with the unexposed Diamond Yas whilst Compton’s Eleven and Jedburgh are a likely pair in the RBS Handicap.
Deserted Dane can justify the lengthy trek southwards from Alan Swinbank’s North Yorkshire establishment by triumphing from Digital in the betterpoker.com Handicap.
York
At York, Luca Cumani’s Ask The Butler can benefit from the possible expert assistance of his handler’s daughter Francesca by showing a clean pair of heels to Nawamees in the Queen Mother’s Cup Stakes for female amateur riders.
Just Lille looks likely to excel from Stone Of Scone in the Cadogan Silver Salver Stakes.
The ‘old firm’ of Michael Jarvis and Philip Robinson should join forces to collect the Betfair Sprint Handicap with Ancient Regime, while Harrison George is another to concentrate on in this six-furlong handicap. Henry Cecil’s recent maiden winner Ancient Lights should dispose of Indian Skipper in the Daniel Prenn Royal Yorkshire Stakes.
Limerick
On Saturday evening meanwhile, there’s an eight-race jumps card at Limerick beginning at 5.30pm.
Salford City, a former progressive hurdler that finished fifth in the 2004 Epsom Derby, stands out in the Syncreon Automotive chase.
Salford City is unbeaten on his two starts over the larger obstacles to date for trainer Gordon Elliot. He recorded his most recent success by leading from five out to beat Changing Course by eight lengths in a two-mile novice chase at Roscommon last Sunday.
The step up of some three and a half furlongs is unlikely to pose any difficulties for Salford City and the seven-year-old is confidently recommended to dispose of Mister Benedictine.
Nipper John looks likely to play a major starring role in the Syncreon Technology Beginners Chase.
Trained by Liz Doyle, who is enjoying good success at present, Nipper John posted a most commendable effort on his most recent start by coming third to Bemo Two in a two mile six furlong beginner’s chase at Tramore on May 30. Nipper John was ultimately beaten a little over four lengths on that occasion and the former point-to-pointer should have most to fear here from Mustangsallyrally.
Conker Nails is the one to row in behind in the Dolan’s Warehouse Handicap Hurdle.
On her most recent start, the daughter of Carroll House was beaten just a head by Borouj in a two-mile handicap hurdle at Tramore. That was Conker Nail’s first start of the year and she was raised five lbs for that effort to a new mark of 82. She seems to be improving and the likelihood is that she will return to the coveted number one slot at the expense of King of the Chase.
Pillar of Hercules is the clear class act in the www.syncreon.com Hurdle.
Pat Hughes’ four-year-old, a maiden winner for Henry Cecil at Pontefract last year, pulled out all the stops to win at Wexford last Friday when he was a major order in the market. Pillar of Hercules seems to be an exceptionally talented sort and he is recommended to show a clean pair of heels to Queen Althea.
Paul Cashman’s well-related six-year-old Canitellyou looks set to vindicate the promise of her recent third-placed effort over flights by excelling from the 88-rated Special Memory in the Syncreon Ireland Mares Maiden Hurdle and Who’s Deal can utilize his speed to best effect by beating Tommy Turkle in the Betfair SP Is Better Maiden Hurdle.