PETERS DELITE (2.30) has a relatively simple task in the Moet Et Chandon Maiden Stakes at Ayr today.
Richard Fahey's horses can do little wrong at present, and it appears as if Peters Delite is also ready to join in the stable's winning spree judged by his latest two excellent efforts in handicap company.
The consistent three-year-old now takes a dramatic dip in class by reverting to maiden grade, which, considering the amount he has in hand according to the BHB ratings, should allow him to get off the mark.
King Of Love and Bolton Hall lock horns once more, the pair having fought out a nip-and-tuck thriller at Leicester last time out.
The latter got the upper hand by three-quarters of length on that occasion.
However, King Of Love is fancied to reverse the placings on 6lbs better terms in the seven-furlong Canard Duchene Champagne Handicap.
The combination of firm ground and an inadequate trip of eight furlongs most probably brought about the downfall of Double Vodka (5.00) on his most recent start.
Lynda Ramsden's gelding will be much more in his element over the mile-and-a-quarter distance of the Mercier Champagne Handicap, a race in which he has the sublime services of Joe Fanning in the plate.
Michael Dods has his team in such good order there appears to be no reason why Glasshoughton (4.00) won't build on his promising Redcar debut.
Fourth-home Glasshoughton hinted at more than a touch of ability, something the colt should be able to further exploit, especially on today's much easier surface.
The jumping action at Wetherby opens with a Lady Riders Handicap Hurdle fancied to fall to Cream Cracker (6.30), travelling north from Brigitte Nicholls' west-country yard.
Brigitte has taken the precaution of booking top amateur rider Rose Davison to partner Cream Cracker, who appears to be the proverbial steering job if reproducing his latest close third to Tiger Frog at Warwick.
Ginger "Red Rum" McCain's decision to despatch Combat Drinker (8.05) across from Cheshire to take part in the Rocom Plantronics Maiden Hurdle warrants close inspection.
Although the three-mile-one-furlong contest presents a serious test of stamina, that shouldn't worry Combat Drinker, just the type of plodder to keep on grinding it out when others have waved the white flag.
In the closing Helen Of Troy Handicap Hurdle, Stamparland Hill (9.05) is a long-shot worth an each-way investment.
Despite being pulled up at Uttoxeter 12 days ago, there are still grounds for optimism seeing as he did have valid reasons for that apparently poor performance.
To begin with, Stamparland Hill wouldn't stay three miles on a bus, so Malcolm Jefferson's idea of running him over that trip was, to my way of thinking, not a good idea.
Now back over a half-mile shorter, plus operating on quicker ground with top jockey Graham Lee aboard, the prognosis looks a whole lot better for the well-weighted ten-year-old.
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