Tinkerstar ticks enough boxes to justify each-way selection for an eleven-runner Novice Stakes over six furlongs of ‘good to firm’ Carlisle today; hopefully Peter Makin’s charge will ‘kick off’ Royal Ascot week in the best possible style. Nothing inspires confidence more than a good-priced winner and this twice-raced Fast Company colt improved from a quiet debut and is ready to take issue in what has to be termed a typical class 5 race.
Extra distance shouldn’t be at issue, Tinkerstar ran on well to finish fourth a fortnight ago, beaten only two and half lengths by heavily-backed principals Silks Pass and Jungle Bee which were separated by only three-quarters of a length in the faster time of two divisions. That’s vital in my book.
There are several ‘form’ rivals, one or two from high-profile yards, but none matches anything like the time-figure median criteria of Tinkerstar, mount of stable jockey Shane Gray.
Consistency and patience are key to profiting by backing winners and Verreaux Eagle rates a ‘special’ follow-up nap in the Fillies’ Novice Stakes over six furlongs half an hour later; Ed Dunlop’s charge answered every call from Hollie Doyle in a similar race on Wolverhampton tapeta last month and a replication should be good enough under former computer champion Kevin Stott, a real ‘favourite’ for serious punters.
Verreaux Eagle was no match for Mejthaam on the unique Dunstall Park surface but was more than four lengths clear and upwards of the rest at the end of a strongly-run dash. No excuses this time for the consistent, hitherto luckless Free Eagle filly which has to win, for stud purposes..
Hayley Turner is enjoying a successful run and Little Prayer comes out clear best-in for the thirteen-runner Maiden Fillies’ Stakes over six furlongs of ‘good to firm’ Nottingham tonight.
Judged on her recent second, to ‘hot-pot’ Dig Two over this distance on Chelmsford polytrack a fortnight back, Little Prayer looks nailed on to make it third time lucky under ‘Daily Earner!’
It’s Royal Ascot tomorrow, I’ve never known a year when none of the two-year-old races is appealing on my time-handicap; we are at the mercy of Irish raiders and USA ‘whiz’ trainer Wesley Ward.
It’s my intention to watch every juvenile race with an eye to the future; do the same readers because you can’t afford not to wait.
Selections, Carlisle, 1.25 Tinkerstar (e.w); 1.55 Verreaux Eagle (nap); Nottingham, 5.50 Little Prayer (e.w).
Jeffrey Ross, horse-racing correspondent for WMN since 1983 when winning the most prestigious racing journalist award, Sporting Life Naps Table, before winning it a record number of six times collectively in the Racing Post, the current ‘trade’ paper, including 2019