Run Of Seconds

The horses generally remain in good form but are suffering a frustrating run of places at present. Both Taws and Cotton Club have progressed nicely as three-year-olds this season and it was slightly frustrating to see them both finish second at Salisbury. Cotton Club looked as if he was held by the handicapper but had been unsuited by slowly run races on his most recent starts. Ridden much more handily by Louis Steward this time, he battled on gamely up the home straight and fought past the long time leader before getting done on the line by the winner. He will make someone a lovely juvenile hurdler but hopefully we can get one more win out of him before he goes to the sales. Taws had won over course and distance two weeks previously and we were confident of a big run on easier ground. However, she did not get away well from the flag start and was not well placed. Although she stayed on past the rest, the winner had already flown (followed up under her penalty) and she remains likely to improve with time and a step up to two miles.

Dylan Centenary had been struggling to get away on terms since dropped back to sprints but he so nearly gave Sophie Killoran her first winner when just failing to get up in time at Bath. He certainly has the ability to win races and with maidens only getting weaker, he should get off the mark at some point and give Sophie plenty of valuable experience.

Kingsbridge had run in two competitive nurseries at Ascot and York (stayed on well last time) and dropped in grade, he ran well to finish third at Salisbury. He's capable of winning again. 

Success For Cotton Club

It was an impressive success for three-year-old Cotton Club stepping up to ten furlongs at Nottingham on Saturday night. He was outpaced early off a very strong pace but switched wide by Pat up the home straight, he effortlessly made up the ground to hit the front inside the final furlong to win going away. While plenty was in his favour, he looks as if the further he goes the better he will be and The Links Partnership have another progressive three year old on their hands.

Three Easter Saturday Runners

It's three runners at three different meetings on Easter Saturday and with all three in sixteen runner fields, some luck will be needed. At Bath Gladiatrix goes in the Listed race as she aims to get some black-type for her owner-breeders. She has come back from her winter break in great shape and should prove much better than her current mark of 86. However, that mark leaves her with a lot to find and having drawn stall fifteen, it is a near impossible task unfortunately.

At Nottingham, Pat takes the ride on Cotton Club and he should prove another well handicapped three-year-old for the stable this season. He did not get much luck in running when fourth on his handicap debut and should have been second at least. The step up to ten furlongs should suit but this handicap looks pretty competitive with lots of unexposed types that could be anything it won't be an easy task.

Finally, it is a rare jumps runner for the yard as Dance goes to Newton Abbot for the Mare's Maiden. The Erhaab mare is a full sister to Shy, won three for the yard and Money Money Money, who won five in one season, so she should know how to win. However, although proved consistent in both bumpers and AW handicaps, she hasn't quite got her head in front so we revert to hurdles. She jumped big when unseating on her debut back in November and needs decent ground, hence the AW campaign when everywhere was waterlogged this winter. She has done plenty of schooling in recent weeks and although a clear round is the main aim, she is definitely capable of being placed in this kind of grade.

£20,000 Handicap Success For Shavansky

Ten-year-old veteran Shavansky has been in cracking form in 2014 but luck had eluded him from adding to his ten career victories. In a £45,000 handicap he was too keen and a slipping saddle meant he hit the front at halfway but was only collared inside the final furlong. He then hit trouble in the home straight when coming from behind to be placed in two competitive handicaps at Lingfield before the tight nature of the inner track at Kempton meant he never got involved last time out. However, everything went right at Lingfield on Friday and he bagged the valuable winter handicap he deserved. Settled nicely in fifth place on the inside, a massive gap opened up the inside entering the home straight and he showed an impressive turn of foot to put the race away inside the final furlong. That takes his career earnings to over £120,000 and he heads for the Rosebery Handicap at Kempton next.

We nearly doubled up at Wolverhampton as Ice Tres finished second back over twelve furlongs. She may have hit the front too soon but was beaten by a well handicapped winner. Hopefully the handicapper won't go overboard as she is certainly capable of winning a race.

Three-year-olds Cotton Club and Graphene needed the experience at Lingfield but were not disgraced in what looked a competitive maiden for this time of year.