Friday 5 April 2024 13:26, UK
Jonathan Portman will be hoping a drop in class could be the key to returning to winning ways with Rumstar in the Try The Racing App This Afternoon Handicap at Bath.
Rumstar has been operating at Group level since winning a Class Two at Goodwood in July 2022 and is the only runner to taste victory at the Somerset track, this coming as a two-year-old. The now four-year-old will be buoyed to return to a course of fond memories after struggling to make a dent on the honours list during six appearances in 2023.
His last success came at Newmarket in October 2022 in a Group Three race, showing that he still has the potential to get his nose in front in this sort of field. It will be interesting to see if Rumstar will kick on after being gelded pre-season.
Haya could go well in the Blackmore Building Contractors Maiden Fillies' Stakes based on her form at the end of last season. The Andrew Balding-trained filly finished one length behind Beautiful Love on her last appearance in September and the winner has gone on to have a brilliant winter in Dubai, finishing second and first respectively in two conditions races. That form will boost the hopes of the three-year-old, who will be ridden by David Probert.
Two For Gold is aiming for a winning return to Carlisle when he lines up for the Eloise And Katie Memorial Trust Veterans' Handicap Chase. The 11-year-old Kim Bailey-trained gelding has not been at the Cumbrian venue for over four years, but he has happy memories of his only visit in November 2019 under David Bass. The pair are reunited once again in a bid to win for the first time since April last year at Ascot.
Netywell will have top weight as he steps up in class for the Mark Nield Wealth Management Go North One Man Series Final Handicap Chase. The seven-year-old, trained by Lucinda Russell, is targeting a four-timer at Carlisle under the hands of conditional jockey Patrick Wadge, who has guided the gelding to his previous three victories.
Joe Tizzard is lining up No Hubs No Hoobs for a hat-trick bid at the Devon Stayers Handicap Chase in Exeter. The gelding has had a productive campaign with two runner-up spots before claiming successive victories at Wincanton over the last two months. Brendan Powell, who rode the eight-year-old to his latest success, is back in the saddle as the pair look towards the three-timer. In-form Enjoy Your Life could be the main danger.
Moorefields won over course and distance on New Year's Day so he comes into consideration in the Harcombe Handicap Hurdle. There appeared to be no fluke about the 50-1 success of David Pipe's Behind The Curtain last time out. He will attempt to defy top weight in the Exeter Racecourse Handicap Hurdle under amateur Martin McIntyre, who was on board at Wincanton. Conditions were testing that day so the ground is not a worry, he only has 4lb more to carry and it appears he is just a far happier horse over hurdles.
SELECTIONS:
BATH: 1.58 City Streak, 2.33 HAYA (NAP), 3.08 Hedge Fund, 3.43 Rumstar, 4.18 Ice Max, 4.53 Destinado, 5.25 Sir Benedict, 5.55 Danzart.
CARLISLE: 2.12 Gold Cup Bailly, 2.47 Netywell, 3.22 Carrigeen Castle, 3.57 Breeze Of Wind, 4.32 Two For Gold, 5.05 Robby.
DOWNPATRICK: 2.03 Sea God, 2.38 Onlyamatteroftime, 3.13 Starman, 3.48 Kelly's Birr, 4.23 Ask Anything, 4.58 Bleu D'enfer, 5.30 Dromleigh.
EXETER: 2.25 Howaya Now, 3.00 Behind The Curtain, 3.35 No Hubs No Hoobs, 4.10 Moorefields, 4.45 Whatsdastory, 5.18 Prophesea.
LEOPARDSTOWN: 1.15 Versatile, 1.45 Harbour Gem, 2.20 Atlantic Coast, 2.55 A Lilac Rolla, 3.30 Ocean Of Dreams, 4.05 Chantilly, 4.40 Perfect Poise, 5.12 Super Over.
DOUBLE: Rumstar and Haya
