13:30 Betfred Mobile Sports Handicap
Ancient Cross won this a year ago but is 10lb higher this time while third-placed Racy is 5lb higher. The one to take from the race and a possible winner here is JUDGE 'N JURY, who was just over 2l back in fourth. He's much better off at the weights and is also well in with Swiss Franc on their run at Newmarket in July and with Steps and his own stable companion Secret Witness on their run at Doncaster in October. Magical Macey defied a 6lb rise for his victory at Ayr in September with a smooth success at Beverley a month ago though he's up another 6lb here but Doctor Parkes is just 2lb higher than when scoring at Chester last May and made a promising reappearance there last week.
14:00 Betfred Middleton Stakes
Sir Henry Cecil won this last year with Midday who had Sajjhaa 2l back in second and her own stablemate Timepiece back in third. The latter beat Sahpresa in the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket in July but finished well behind that rival in Sun Chariot Stakes though the ground was probably too fast for her. IZZI TOP, who beat Dancing Rain at Newbury before finishing third to her in the Oaks, made a very impressive reappearance at Newmarket over a trip too short. She had Timepiece back in fourth that day and though it should be closer this time John Gosden's filly still has time to make further progress and can follow-up. I'm A Dreamer found a mile just too short in most starts last season and produced an outstanding run when sent over 1m2f at Woodbine where she was caught right on the line in the Grade 1 EP Taylor Stakes.
14:30 Betfred Dante Stakes
Bonfire made a very impressive debut at Salisbury on soft ground and encountered similar condition in the Group 1 Criterium at Saint-Cloud where he had no luck in-running behind French Fifteen, who has since boosted the form with his close second to Camelot in the 2000 Guineas. Mandaean made all for a very smooth victory on his debut at Longchamp when in the care of Andre Fabre and stepped into Group 1 company with ease at on heavy ground Saint-Cloud in November. Now with Godolphin, he puts his Derby credentials on the line in much quicker conditions but looks potentially high-class. Ektihaam's only defeat in four starts came when elevated to Group 1 company in the Dewhurst but he wasn't at his best that day and has a fitness advantage after a very easy victory at Newbury. ERNEST HEMINGWAY had little more than an exercise gallop on his debut at Dundalk but the son of Galileo out of a Lingfield Oaks Trial winner is the type to progress into a classy performer and gets the vote in an intriguing Dante.
15:00 Betfred Hambleton Stakes
After his easy maiden success at Haydock a year ago, Mijhaar was fancied for the King Edward VII Stakes but couldn't quite make the leap into that grade. His only other start came in a tough Newmarket handicap where he finished runner-up and with further progress likely this season he should be in the shake-up. Justonefortheroad has done very well in soft ground handicaps this season and the extra furlong today will be in his favour but it's FURY, who finished close-up in the Lincoln and Spring Cup and probably found 1m1f just stretch his stamina last time, who is handed the vote. The lightly-raced Italian import Bezique struggled on soft ground in a Group 3 when last seen a year ago but is one to keep an eye on but Invisible Man is still looking a few pounds high in the weights. Prince Of Johanne produced a shock when landing the Cambridgeshire but don't rule out another big run if the ground dries out as he made a winning reappearance last year and will appreciate the likely strong gallop. Common Touch has won three times over 7f on this track and shouldn't be inconvenienced over the extra furlong and can make his presence felt.
15:35 British Stallion Studs Supporting British Racing E.B.F. Sprint Conditions Stakes
Es Que Love is a progressive front-runner who shouldn't be too inconvenienced by dropping back to the minimum though he's up 7lb for his latest success at Newmarket where North Star Boy was behind. Ponty Acclaim produced a shock when landing the Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes at Ascot where she had Caledonia Lady, who had beaten her on soft ground at Ayr, back in third. The winner starts off in handicaps off 105 which looks a bit high and PEARL SECRET may have her measure. David Barron's colt won over the C&D on his only start last year and returned in testing ground at Doncaster where he started odds-on for a handicap. He won that in a canter and the assessor has taken due note with a massive 16lb rise but even that is unlikely to prevent another victory. Vocational isn't out of it as he's generally competed at a high level.
16:10 Stratford Place Stud For International Group 1 Winners E.B.F. Maiden Stakes
DUST WHIRL has shown very good pace in both starts on ground probably softer than he would have liked and on quicker going today will take some catching. He had Bispham Green behind at Doncaster but the latter should get very much closer this time and looks sure to go well. Unidexter will improve for his run at Bath but there are some speedily-bred newcomers here with Artigiano likely to make his presence felt for Godolphin. Wynyard Boy is one to keep an eye on being a half-brother to the useful Moonstone Magic while Funk Soul Brother is out of a mare who won over 5f as a juvenile. Paul Cole likes to runs his best early 2yo's on the Knavesmire so Kalicamix is one to note for the future.
16:45 Investec Specialist Bank Handicap
Kayf Aramis has won this three times, the latest in 2009, and he's not finished yet as he's been in reasonable form over timber. Dark Ranger scored last year and arrives in good form though he's a massive 17lb higher this time around but Hollins, who was successful in 2010, is 9lb higher and was beaten a long way last year. Malcolm Jefferson wouldn't have wanted the last jumps season to end as CAPE TRIBULATION finished with a flourish, scoring at Cheltenham and Aintree. The last time he ran on the Flat was from a mark of 85 and he's 5lb lower here and he'll think he's been let loose after carrying two stone more at Aintree. Bruslini has been in good form over fences while Cloudy Spirit won over this trip at Pontefract last month. Lifetime has been going well in soft ground and wouldn't want it to dry out nor would Secret Tune and Lady Amakhala, who battled out a finish over slightly shorter at Doncaster.
