Our resident pundit has four bets from around the tracks this afternoon.
2.50 Taunton
HINT OF MINT (NAP) (best price 5-4) came out second best of a mighty tussle with course specialist Winning Spark here last time out, but that performance sets him up nicely for what should be ample compensation in this similar contest. Prior to that solid effort, Harry Fry’s inmate had also run with great credit in a Wincanton handicap which is working outing well, and having already proven that today’s track is very much to his liking with two previous victories, a return to the West Country venue and two miles should prove the key to success for the son of Passing Glance.
3.00 Southwell
SAFIRA MENINA (best price 6-1) has taken the slow start to a totally different level in recent times, but despite her sluggishness leaving the gates, she still can be fancied to make an impact at the business end. Indeed, the last time she raced over today’s course she found herself in a different postcode to her rivals in the early stages but to her eternal credit, she not only worked herself back into a challenging position, she was the only one to offer any sort of resistance to the in-form High Command in the last two furlongs. Unlucky not to finish a good deal closer than she did last time out at Lingfield when stopped in her tracks at the furlong pole, the Paco Boy filly can go well returning to a track that clearly plays into her strengths.
4.10 Kempton
SUSPECT PACKAGE (best price 10-1) has intimated he could be capable of a good deal better on several occasions, and he has enough qualities to figure in a race of this nature off a fair opening handicap mark. The way he stayed on nicely in the latter stages of his latest display at Wolverhampton suggests James Fanshawe’s charge looked more comfortable over a mile than his previous two attempts at 7f, and although in an ideal world he could have done with a slightly better draw, he can hopefully work his way into some sort of challenging position down the lane.
4.40 Kempton
GRACIOUS TOM (best price 4-1) arrives here in terrific heart following two quick victories at Lingfield and Southwell and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t go very close to completing a hat trick based on his speed figures. Showing tenacity in abundance in the first of those successes, David Evans’ charge showed another side to his qualities with a big effort from the coffin one box at the latter venue last time and with the time figure suggesting it was performance beyond a horse of his current rating, his extra burden may not be enough to stop his progression.
