ALTHOUGH David Chapman has justifiably carved his name into the history books by training a succession of top-flight sprinters, the Stillington-near-York handler is equally adept at producing the goods over longer distances given the right ammunition.

One such case is Ipledgeallegiance, who has been running well for Chapman of late. David began the season by campaigning his horse at one-mile, unfortunately he was constantly found wanting for speed until stepped up significantly in trip, to which the selection responded positively by making the frame at both Musselburgh and Southwell.

It was a smart ploy by "Chappers", as it now seems Ipledgeallegiance (4.15) requires the type of stamina test provided by today's one-mile-and-seven-furlong Sharp Minds Phone Handicap at Ayr, a contest well within his grasp on the evidence of those last couple of encouraging efforts.

In the preceding Back And Lay Classified Stakes, Manaar (3.45) makes plenty of appeal even though his odds are likely to be prohibitive judged purely on a value-for-money betting perspective.

Manaar marginally failed to land a substantial gamble (12-1 down to 7-1) when last seen out at Ascot just 11 days ago. It was a classic example of so near yet so far because having been waited with in rear by Frankie Dettori, Manaar came with a searing late surge only to be narrowly denied success by True Night.

Backers of Jeremy Noseda's four-year-old had every right to feel gutted by the defeat since True Night, something of a professional loser this term, had cost his supporters a pretty packet during the earlier part of the year.

For the closing Bet In Running Handicap, the popular old-stager Adobe (4.45) gets the nod over some much younger rivals.

Despite advancing years Mark Brisbourne's nine-year-old retains stacks of ability and only a buffoon would argue he's ready for retirement, such is the spring in his stride.

Adobe has already won a pile of races in a long and distinguished career, and it appeared as if he was about to add to an ever-growing tally at Bath only for the lightly weighted gelding, Over To You Bert, to nab him in the shadow of the winning post.

Stage By Stage (3.00), successful on all three of his latest visits to the racecourse, will probably go off a hot-favourite for the Ken Boulton Trophy at Uttoxeter, but the one I fancy to create a mini-upset is North Point (3.00).

At first glance the Roger Curtis-trained hurdler ran poorly when a modest seventh of 13 at Worcester, however that's only half the story as having set the pace and led to the second last flight at the Midlands venue, he was then eased and not given a hard time.

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