There's some decent-quality action from Thirsk this afternoon and I'm quite sweet on Tinto to complete a double in the TWC Draincare Ltd Handicap at 3.20.
I'm slightly surprised he isn't favourite in all truth, although I can see why Ingra Tor has found his way to the head of the market with William Buick in the plate.
Michael Dods' runner has won three times since joining him from Amanda Perrett in April last year and a mark of 89 remains feasible given he's still 1lb below his winning mark at Ripon last June.
The application of first-time cheekpieces seemingly did the trick for him when he scooted clear of his rivals over six furlongs at Redcar last time and with question marks surrounding plenty of his rivals, a 4lb rise in the weights may not be enough to prevent the follow-up.
Selection: Tinto – General 13/2
There look to be two decent bets to be had at Ffos Las today, both of whom should relish stepping up in distance at the Welsh venue.
The Prostate Cymru Rees Richards & Partners Handicap at 7.20 sees Kynsa take a sizeable step up in trip and it's easy to think she could improve plenty for it.
She remains a maiden after six outings to date but has shown progressive form on turf and produced a fine effort in defeat when runner-up on heavy ground over seven and a half furlongs last time. Jamie Osborne's filly shaped as though she'd appreciate going up in distance on that occasion and with her dam having placed Listed level between 1m6f-2m, there's certainly reason to believe she'll progress for it on pedigree.
A 3lb higher mark shouldn't pose many issues and any slight step forward for going up in trip should see her in the winners' enclosure for the first time.
Selection: Kynsa – General 15/8
Our second wager from Ffos Las comes in the concluding Prostate Cymru Ray Murray Memorial Handicap at 7.50.
The consistent Tin Fandango deserves plenty of respect at this level, but he faces some unexposed rivals here and it's expected one of them comes out on top. Andrew Balding's Berkshire Sundance commands consideration after a pleasing handicap debut third at Kempton but it's the in-form Ralph Beckett's Lock The Vault that makes more appeal.
The Kimpton Downs-based handler has enjoyed a remarkable season thus far and continues to operate around the 30% strike-rate mark.
He produced by far his best effort to date when fifth (beaten just over three lengths) in a Lingfield maiden last month and looks just the type of horse to improve plenty now upped in trip on his handicap bow.
An opening mark of 65 looks more than workable and with the step up to two miles expected to suit this son of Cracksman, he can make a winning start in handicaps with first-time blinkers fitted.
Selection: Lock The Vault – General 10/3
We head to Carlisle for our fourth and final selection. Ed Dunlop isn't one for sending horses north if they don't have a chance and all three of his runners look to hold sound claims there this afternoon. However, it's Orchestra that looks the best bet of the trio especially at the current prices and I'm hoping he can land the NXT Recruitment Handicap at 4.30.
The La Grange Partnership-owned gelding took a step back in the right direction when third at Salisbury in stronger company last time and only faded late on having travelled enthusiastically throughout.
A 1lb drop in the weights puts him back on his last winning mark and the form of that success at Beverley in May has worked out really well for the grade. The runner-up is now rated 86 after winning subsequently and the third-placed horse also scored next-time-out.
Clifford Lee gets back onboard for the first time since partnering him to victory in that Beverley contest and he looks to have every chance of getting back to winning ways off a mark of 75.
Selection: Orchestra – General 4/1
