In the 3.50 at Nottingham on Wednesday, Royal Rebel has already had a fine season, but his most recent effort at Pontefract nine days ago suggested his current handicap mark is hardly prohibitive and he can resume winning ways. He failed by three-quarters of a length to overhaul Blair House over a mile at the West Yorkshire track and, stepped back up to an extended mile and a quarter, off the same handicap mark, must have bright prospects of making amends.
In the 4.55 at Nottingham, recent winning form is something of a rarity, but Aprovado returned to something approaching his best on the Tapeta surface at Newcastle last month and still looks feasibly weighted, despite a 3lb rise in the weights. The Approve gelding had previously been in decent form over 6 furlongs on turf and is 3-5 under Connor Beasley, including twice on the prevailing good going.
Selections: Nottingham 3.50 Royal Rebel, Nottingham 4.55 Aprovado, 1-point Win Double
In the 2.35 at York on Saturday, Great Order is 5lb higher in the weights than when failing by a short head to overhaul Huntlaw, over a mile, at Newmarket last time, but the step back up to a mile and a quarter appears to be in his favour and he can make an impact, even in this higher grade. The Distorted Humour colt remains unexposed over middle distances.
In the 3.45 at Ascot on Friday, Platitude returned to form with a convincing 5-length win over Vive Ma Fille in the March Stakes at Goodwood in August on his first attempt over 1 mile 6 furlongs and appears to have been found another excellent opportunity. The Dansili gelding has run well on both previous visits to the Berkshire course and seems versatile, ground-wise, so has plenty going for him.