August 2016

In the 4.20 at Catterick on Wednesday, notwithstanding one effort on unsuitably fast ground, Nietzsche has been quite highly tried since winning at Beverley in April, but faces a much more realistic assignment this time. He remains 8lb higher in the weights, but his latest third of nine, beaten 1¾ lengths, behind Robinnielly in a 0-90 contest at Ayr suggested he’s still feasibly weighted and he has his conditions.

In the 2.50 at Catterick, Stoneham has been raised 5lb for winning in convincing style at Musselburgh earlier this month, necessitating a rise in class, but she has looked better than ever in recent starts and may be capable of completing a four-timer. She won over 2 miles 1 furlong on soft going over hurdles at Sedgefield last autumn, so slower underfoot conditions should do her chance no harm.

In the 4.55 at Catterick, Seamster has already run 21 times since the turn of the year, but is holding his form exceptionally well and may yet have more to offer. He takes a slight drop in class and is fully effective on soft ground, so must have a decent chance of recording his second course and distance win of the season.

Selections: Catterick 4.20 Nietzsche, Catterick 2.50 Stoneham, Catterick 4.55 Seamster, 3 x 1-point Win Doubles, 1 x 1-point Win Treble

In the 3.05 at York on Friday, One More Word has been placed on both starts over course and distance this season and, following a luckless run at Goodwood three weeks ago, can resume winning ways. The Thousand Words gelding was only beaten half a length and a neck over course and distance two starts ago and, although another 1lb higher in the weights, his run in the Betfred Mile – in which he was repeatedly denied a clear run until the race was effectively over – demonstrated that he was still in form.

In the 4.55 at York, Show Stealer needs fast ground to produce her very best and, having run creditably in defeat in hot three-year-old handicaps over 6 furlongs at Newmarket the last twice, should appreciate the step up to 7 furlongs. The handicapper may have taken a chance by dropping her 1lb since the second of those efforts and she still looks feasibly weighted. She’s still only had eight starts, so still has plenty of time to make up into the decent Group class performer he trainer believes she is.

Selections: York 3.05 One More Word, York 4.55 Show Stealer, 1-point Win Double

In the 4.10 at Salisbury on Tuesday, Massaat was bitterly disappointing when trailing in ninth of 16, beaten 16 lengths, behind Harzand in the Derby at Epsom in June, but deserves another chance. The Teofilo gelding was never a guaranteed stayer, but ran too freely when failing to see out a mile and a half at Epsom, but his earlier form over a mile bears close inspection. In the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in April, he went down by 1½ lengths to Galileo Gold with Ribchester 2 lengths back in third and that form has been well advertised.

In the 5.15 at Salisbury, Alyssa may have started at odds of 1/2 for a 0-75 contest at Epsom four weeks ago but, even so, the way she drew right away in the closing stages to beat Machine Learner by 10 lengths, with 23 lengths back to the third horse, was visually very impressive. Exactly what she achieved in doing so is difficult to judge, but a 10lb higher mark may not be enough to prevent her winning again, even in 0-85 company. Silvestre de Sousa, who won on her at Epsom, sticks around for the last race of the afternoon, which often isn’t a bad sign.

Selections: Salisbury 4.10 Massaat, Salisbury 5.15 Alyssa, 1-point Win Double