1.20 I Love Julie Parkes Handicap (Div I) (Class 4) £22,000 SKY 1m 2f 43y

Top Two Master Rated Horses:

1. 7 Telepathic (IRE) (Tdy Total: 288)
2. 6 Arbitration (IRE) (Tdy Total: 283)

7 Telepathic (IRE)

• Recent Form & Comments: This 3-year-old has a recent form of 947214. He has been described as “hard to settle” and has worn a hood for his last four outings. However, he “raised his game” with the move up to 1m2f for his last three starts, finishing from off the pace, including a “clearcut win here (good)” on his penultimate occasion. He is noted as “unraced on softer” than good ground. He is “6lb higher this time but he’s in calculations”. The spotlight verdict highlights his improvement and “authoritative win over C&D”.
• Chances in Today’s Race:
  • Strengths: Proven course and distance winner and has shown significant improvement since moving up to 1m2f, indicating strong suitability for the trip. He holds the highest TimeWise Master rating in this race.
  • Weaknesses: A major concern is that he is “unraced on softer” than good ground, which could be a challenge given today’s soft going. He is also carrying a 6lb penalty for his recent win.
  • Suitability: The distance is ideal, but his ability to perform on soft ground is an unknown factor.
  • Overall: Telepathic is a strong contender for the win, provided he copes with the potentially testing soft ground.

6 Arbitration (IRE)

• Recent Form & Comments: This 3-year-old has a recent form of 466351. He “has not progressed on turf (0-9; unraced on softer than good)” and has mainly been seen over 7f. He “raised his game to win at Wolverhampton (AW) 12 days ago when trying 9.4f”. He is “back up 3lb but perhaps this further step up in trip will help”.
• Chances in Today’s Race:
  • Strengths: Showed good current form with a recent win on AW over a slightly longer trip, suggesting he might benefit from the step up to 1m2f. He has a strong TimeWise Master rating.
  • Weaknesses: His struggles on turf and being “unraced on softer than good” ground are significant concerns for today’s soft conditions. He also carries a 3lb penalty.
  • Suitability: The extended trip might suit him, but his performance on turf and particularly on soft ground is unproven and poses a substantial risk.
  • Overall: Arbitration is a more speculative contender due to his unproven turf and soft-ground form, despite a recent win.

1.55 I Love Julie Parkes Handicap (Div II) (Class 4) £22,000 SKY 1m 2f 43y

Top Two Master Rated Horses:

1. 1 Project Geofin (Tdy Total: 296)
2. 3 Obito (IRE) (Tdy Total: 290)

1 Project Geofin

• Recent Form & Comments: This 4-year-old has a recent form of -46811. He “probably acts on good to soft” ground. He is in excellent form, having “came from off the pace to score at Pontefract (1m, good)” and then secured a “career best” win at Doncaster (1m2f, good to firm) in his last two outings. His Doncaster win was over other strong contenders. He is “up another 2lb but he’s been on a roll”. The spotlight considers him as one of the “hat-trick seeking pair”.
• Chances in Today’s Race:
  • Strengths: Exceptional recent form with back-to-back wins, including a C&D victory, making him highly suitable for the distance. His likely ability on good to soft ground suggests he should handle today’s soft conditions. He holds the highest TimeWise Master rating.
  • Weaknesses: He carries an additional 2lb from his last win.
  • Suitability: The 1m2f distance and anticipated soft conditions appear to be well within his capabilities.
  • Overall: Project Geofin is a very strong contender, with excellent form and C&D experience making him a leading candidate for the win.

3 Obito (IRE)

• Recent Form & Comments: This 3-year-old has a recent form of 716412. He is “unraced on softer than good” ground. He has won two of his six handicaps, notably “when upped to 1m2f at Ayr on penultimate start (travelled strongly before asserting in tidy fashion)”. His last race at Haydock did not go ideally but he “beat the other 12” runners. He is on the “same mark today and he remains one to be interested in”. The spotlight includes him in the list of strong contenders, mentioning him as “last week’s Haydock second Obito”.
• Chances in Today’s Race:
  • Strengths: Good recent form including a win at 1m2f, and he performed well in his last outing despite adverse circumstances. He is on the same handicap mark, which is advantageous. He holds a high TimeWise Master rating.
  • Weaknesses: His primary weakness is being “unraced on softer than good” ground, raising concerns for today’s soft track.
  • Suitability: The 1m2f distance is suitable, but his ability to handle soft ground is the main question mark.
  • Overall: Obito is a serious contender, with strong recent form and potential, if he can effectively cope with the soft ground.

2.30 Betfred City Of Doncaster Handicap (Class 2) £65,000 ITV 7f 6y

Top Two Master Rated Horses:

1. 19 Pietro (IRE) (Tdy Total: 340)
2. 3 Indian Springs (IRE) (Tdy Total: 325)

19 Pietro (IRE)

• Recent Form & Comments: This 3-year-old is described as an “upwardly mobile 3yo” who is a “dual winner at this trip”. He “had too much class for mostly older opposition back over 6f at Brighton two weeks ago”. He “acts on any ground”. He is “raised 4lb but looks a good bet to give his running”.
• Chances in Today’s Race:
  • Strengths: Dual winner over 7f and showed superior class in a recent race, indicating strong form and suitability for the distance. His ability to “act on any ground” makes him perfectly suited for today’s soft conditions. He has the highest TimeWise Master rating.
  • Weaknesses: He carries a 4lb penalty from his recent win.
  • Suitability: He is exceptionally well-suited to both the 7f distance and the expected soft ground, making him a formidable opponent.
  • Overall: Pietro is a very strong favorite and the leading candidate for the win, given his class, proven ability, and ground versatility.

3 Indian Springs (IRE)

• Recent Form & Comments: This 3-year-old has a recent form of 3-11. His “both turf runs over 7f on good ground” were wins, first at Newmarket and then at Haydock (early July) where he was “untroubled to win”. He “posted a smart RPR last time and he’s dangerously unexposed now into a handicap”. The spotlight verdict identifies him as a “dangerously unexposed handicap debutant who has to be feared”.
• Chances in Today’s Race:
  • Strengths: Unexposed and progressive, with two confident wins over 7f. He posted a “smart RPR” and is entering handicaps with significant potential. He holds a high TimeWise Master rating.
  • Weaknesses: His wins were on “good ground”, so his ability to handle today’s soft conditions is unproven.
  • Suitability: The 7f trip is suitable. His performance on soft ground will be the critical factor.
  • Overall: Indian Springs is a highly intriguing contender with significant potential, especially if he adapts well to the soft ground.

3.00 Betfred “The Classic Bookmaker” Handicap (Class 2) £70,000 ITV 6f 111y

Top Two Master Rated Horses:

1. 6 Pocklington (Tdy Total: 357)
2. 10 Royal Velvet (Tdy Total: 342)

6 Pocklington

• Recent Form & Comments: This 4-year-old has a recent form of 00-253. He is a “lightly raced 4yo who has been beaten less than 1l in competitive 6f handicaps on his last three starts, most recently third of 20 at York”. He has “kept on well each time and today’s extra yardage could be right up his street”. He is “unraced on slow ground”.
• Chances in Today’s Race:
  • Strengths: Consistent performer in competitive handicaps, showing a strong finish, and the slightly longer trip of 6.5f is expected to suit him. He holds the highest TimeWise Master rating.
  • Weaknesses: He is “unraced on slow ground”, which is a significant concern for today’s soft conditions.
  • Suitability: The extended sprint trip is likely suitable. His ability to handle soft ground is the main unknown.
  • Overall: Pocklington is a strong contender if he proves effective on soft ground, with potential to improve for the extra distance.

10 Royal Velvet

• Recent Form & Comments: This 4-year-old has a recent form of 153181. She is a “progressive filly who made it three wins for the year (1m/7f) when prevailing in a big field at York (7f, good to firm) last month”. She “hit the front over 1f out at York and a 5lb rise may not prevent her playing another leading role, provided the ground suits (unproven on a slow surface)”.
• Chances in Today’s Race:
  • Strengths: Highly progressive with three wins this year, including a strong performance in a big field over 7f. She has a high TimeWise Master rating.
  • Weaknesses: She is “unproven on a slow surface”, which is a significant concern for today’s soft ground. She also carries a 5lb penalty for her last win.
  • Suitability: The 6.5f trip should be manageable. However, her ability to perform optimally on soft ground is highly uncertain.
  • Overall: Royal Velvet has a good chance if she can adapt to the soft ground, but her ground preference is a key unknown.

3.35 IPM Group Leger Legends Classified Stakes (Class 5) £22,000 ITV 1m

Top Two Master Rated Horses:

1. 2 Beaming Light (Tdy Total: 258)
2. 3 Ayr Poet (Tdy Total: 251)

2 Beaming Light

• Recent Form & Comments: This 5-year-old has a recent form of 111253. He “completed a 1m hat-trick in June, on the AW, good to firm and soft”. He is “holding his form well” and his “inflated mark doesn’t count against him in a race of this nature”. He is considered the “second choice” in the spotlight verdict.
• Chances in Today’s Race:
  • Strengths: Consistent form, including a 1m hat-trick on various surfaces (including soft), makes him highly suitable for today’s soft conditions. His handicap mark is less of a factor in this classified stakes. He holds the highest TimeWise Master rating.
  • Weaknesses: No significant weaknesses are noted, but maintaining peak form from June will be key.
  • Suitability: The 1m trip and soft ground are well within his proven capabilities.
  • Overall: Beaming Light is a very strong contender, with ideal conditions and good recent form making him a leading candidate.

3 Ayr Poet

• Recent Form & Comments: This 10-year-old has a recent form of 386114. His “last three races over slightly further at Hamilton, winning Class 5/6 handicaps before running surprisingly well behind progressive 3yos in a Class 3”. He was “perhaps flattered from the front last time but enters the equation”. He has a strong TimeWise Master rating.
• Chances in Today’s Race:
  • Strengths: Recent wins in handicaps and a creditable performance in a higher class race. His experience over slightly longer trips should serve him well over 1m.
  • Weaknesses: May have been “flattered from the front last time”. No specific mention of soft ground suitability is provided.
  • Suitability: The 1m trip is suitable. However, his ability to perform on soft ground is not explicitly confirmed as a strength.
  • Overall: Ayr Poet holds a good each-way chance, particularly if he can get a prominent position and the ground isn’t overly demanding.

4.10 Japan Racing Association Sceptre Fillies’ Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) £85,000 ITV 7f 6y

Top Two Master Rated Horses:

1. 3 Bright Thunder (IRE) (Tdy Total: 381)
2. 9 Jabaara (IRE) (Tdy Total: 379)

3 Bright Thunder (IRE)

• Recent Form & Comments: This 4-year-old has a recent form of 532135. She was a “Listed winner at Deauville (1m, soft) in July and close third in Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood (7f, good) next time”. She was “below best when fifth in Group 3 at Sandown (1m, soft) last time but she travelled well and could benefit from this drop back to 7f”. She is identified as “one to consider” and a “possible contender”. She holds the highest TimeWise Master rating.
• Chances in Today’s Race:
  • Strengths: Proven Listed winner on soft ground and Group 3 placed, demonstrating high-class ability and suitability for soft conditions. The “drop back to 7f” is expected to be advantageous.
  • Weaknesses: Her last run was “below best”.
  • Suitability: Highly suitable for the Group 3 level, 7f distance, and the soft ground conditions expected today.
  • Overall: Bright Thunder is a very strong contender for the win, with proven class and ideal race conditions.

9 Jabaara (IRE)

• Recent Form & Comments: This 4-year-old has a recent form of 462155. She was “first past the post in the Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood last July (7f, good to firm; demoted due to interference)”. She was “not quite at her best when fifth in that same race last time but she raced freely”. She “has shown promise on good to soft ground”. She is considered a horse to be “feared”.
• Chances in Today’s Race:
  • Strengths: Demonstrated Group 3 quality over 7f. Her promise on “good to soft ground” indicates she should be able to handle today’s soft conditions.
  • Weaknesses: She “raced freely” in her last outing, suggesting potential temperament issues, and that run was “not quite at her best”.
  • Suitability: The 7f trip is suitable. Her ability to settle and perform effectively on soft ground will be crucial.
  • Overall: Jabaara is a strong contender with Group 3 class, particularly if she can settle better and perform to her best on the softer ground.

4.40 IPM Group Handicap (Class 3) £35,000 ITV 5f 3y

Top Two Master Rated Horses:

1. 1 Getreadytorumble (Tdy Total: 336)
2. 4 Jer Batt (IRE) (Tdy Total: 316)

1 Getreadytorumble

• Recent Form & Comments: This 3-year-old has a recent form of 211322. He is a “low-mileage 3yo who continues to raise his game, latterly going down narrowly to one of his market rivals at Newbury (5f, good to firm; effective on softer)”. He is “hard to knock, other than he’s having to concede weight all round”. He “continues to improve with each run and it won’t matter to him what the weather does”. He holds the highest TimeWise Master rating.
• Chances in Today’s Race:
  • Strengths: Consistent and improving form, narrowly beaten in his last race, suggesting he is at the top of his game. He is “effective on softer” ground, making him well-suited for today’s soft conditions. His continuous improvement is a significant positive.
  • Weaknesses: He “concedes weight all round” to his rivals.
  • Suitability: The 5f trip is suitable, and his adaptability to soft ground is a major advantage.
  • Overall: Getreadytorumble is a very strong contender and a leading candidate to win, given his progressive form and ground suitability.

4 Jer Batt (IRE)

• Recent Form & Comments: This 5-year-old has a recent form of 7-0650. His comeback third at Musselburgh (5f, good to soft) worked out well, but “he hasn’t quite reached the same heights since”. He was on “good ground last week and the forecast showers are in his favour; softening ground would bring him right into it”. He “should be a danger to all if the forecast showers arrive in the nick of time”. He holds a high TimeWise Master rating.
• Chances in Today’s Race:
  • Strengths: Proven ability on good to soft ground and strong finishing speed, which suggests he will thrive on softening ground.
  • Weaknesses: He has been “flattering to deceive” this season and “hasn’t quite reached the same heights” since his promising comeback.
  • Suitability: The 5f trip is suitable, and his preference for softer ground makes him a good fit for today’s conditions.
  • Overall: Jer Batt is a strong contender, particularly if the ground becomes genuinely soft, as this would play perfectly to his strengths.

5.18 Land Of Lights Festival At Gulliver’s Handicap (Class 4) £22,000 SKY 5f 3y

Top Two Master Rated Horses:

1. 4 Bona Fortuna (IRE) (Tdy Total: 279)
2. 11 Hk Fourteen (IRE) (Tdy Total: 277)

4 Bona Fortuna (IRE)

• Recent Form & Comments: This 4-year-old has a recent form of -53222. She “won two in a row last summer (6f/7f, good to firm)”. She has “finished second on his last three starts (5f/6f, good to firm/good), including in a big field”. She also showed “promise on soft ground on debut in 2023”. The spotlight verdict states she “can give another good account”. She holds the highest TimeWise Master rating.
• Chances in Today’s Race:
  • Strengths: Highly consistent recent form with three consecutive second-place finishes. Her “promise on soft ground on debut” makes her well-suited for today’s soft conditions.
  • Weaknesses: While consistently placed, she hasn’t won recently.
  • Suitability: The 5f trip is suitable, and her proven ability on soft ground is a significant advantage.
  • Overall: Bona Fortuna is a very strong contender for a place, with winning potential given her consistency and ideal ground suitability.

11 Hk Fourteen (IRE)

• Recent Form & Comments: This 5-year-old has a recent form of 531106. He is “lightly raced for his age and made it five wins from his last ten starts when scoring at Newbury last month (5f, good to firm; has also won on soft)”. He was “short-headed at Newmarket (5f, good to firm) last time and he’s a solid candidate in first-time cheekpieces”. He holds a high TimeWise Master rating.
• Chances in Today’s Race:
  • Strengths: In-form with five wins from his last ten starts, including a recent 5f victory and a close second. He has “also won on soft” ground, making him suitable for today’s conditions. The “first-time cheekpieces” could provide an additional edge.
  • Weaknesses: No clear weaknesses mentioned, but the new headgear is an unknown element to consider.
  • Suitability: Ideally suited for the 5f trip and the expected soft ground.
  • Overall: Hk Fourteen is a strong contender for the win, with excellent recent form and proven ability on soft ground.