Greek could be the perfect Gift for punters at Beverley
GREEK Gift could be the present punters are looking for as she seeks to follow up her recent Carlisle success at Beverley today.
Trained by Karl Burke, the daughter of Magna Grecia took a few starts to learn her craft, ultimately racing over distances that were too short in her first three outings.
However, having gradually improved with each run, the youngster put it all together when upped to seven furlongs for her handicap bow earlier this month.
The winning distance may only have been a neck, but she was always doing enough late in the day in that Carlisle event.
Having shaped like a filly who will stay a mile in time, the stiff seven furlongs at Beverley should play to her strengths, with Brandon Wilkie’s 5lb claim negating a 4lb rise.
Burke also appears to hold strong claims in the Aceodds Bet Calculator EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes where 100,000 guineas yearling Timescape makes her racecourse bow.
Owned by Steve Parkin’s Clipper Logistics operation, the daughter of Havana Grey holds an entry for the Group Two Sky Bet Lowther Stakes later in the summer and could prove a smart prospect.
Alice Haynes’ Bakersboy catches the eye in the Patrington Haven Leisure Park Handicap, a one-mile two-furlong event.
The six-year-old is a consistent sort who was a winner last time on the all-weather at Wolverhampton, though he has form on turf too and is capable of producing an effort good enough to win this contest.
In the Racing Again On Monday Evening Handicap, it is Tim Easterby’s Sunny Orange who can come out on top. The Expert Eye gelding is no stranger to Beverley having won and been the runner-up over course and distance, with recent encouraging efforts showing him to be a horse in form.
is also afternoon action at Nottingham where the obvious pick on the card is Atlantic Gamble in the concluding Ferodo Handicap.
William Knight’s son of Lightning Spear has been in a rich vein of form and having brought up a four-timer with real ease at Kempton only six days ago, attempts to make it five on the bounce under a 6lb penalty.
On the all-weather at Kempton, John and Thady Gosden’s Beeley sets the standard in the Unibet More Extra Place Races Fillies’ Novice Stakes.
Although having had her issues at the start, there is no doubt she is a talented operator, as shown by her two narrow defeats to good opponents in her first two outings.
Last seen in the Cheshire Oaks, this represents a drop into calmer waters and she could prove too classy for her rivals on this occasion.
James Ferguson’s Drama lost out in a headbobber at Newmarket when bidding to supplement a win over track and trip last month and is the form selection to quickly return to winning ways in the Unibet Zero% Mission Handicap.
Sir Mark Prescott’s Alla Stella could be the toast of supporters in the Unibet/British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes after two encouraging performances to date.
Although hanging under pressure when sent off favourite at Ffos Las most recently, she knuckled down to push the winner close late in the day.
The valuable experience garnered there, can put that to good use here.
Royal Ascot absentee Elite Status is set to make his competitive return in the Fidelity Energy Hackwood Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.
Having nursed his charge back to full fitness, Karl Burke is looking forward to getting him back on track in this weekend’s Group Three contest, for which he is one of 13 entries.