Saturday ITV Racing Tips & Preview

Viscount Loftus will be popular from a handy berth following his decisive Pontefract victory and is respected given he is probably still improving. However, the Listed race won by Sound And Silence at York looks strong form for the grade and ANGEL FORCE (Best price 12-1) arguably posted a career best to finish fifth that day. David Griffiths is a fine trainer of speedsters and his Lethal Force filly shares the same bloodlines as the mighty Lochsong and talented offspring Dancing Star so is clearly bred to boast brazen speed, an attribute which should serve her well around the Roodee. Her form of late stacks up pretty well with a solid run behind John Kirkup at Thirsk two starts ago endorsing the view she is viably handicapped ahead of today's test.

We haven't seen a lot of DURETTO (Best price 7/4) this season but I wonder if that is by design given his love of an easy surface. Traditionally, Andrew Balding's gelding has saved his premium efforts for the Autumn when the rains arrive and he can gallop through soft conditions so connections may well have had their eye on a backend campaign for their charge. Two excellent efforts at today's venue, the last of which saw him finish a gallant third in May's Ormonde Stakes, increase confidence and the selection appears to go well fresh so the absence may not be harmful.

Dan Troop and KENSTONE (Best price 6/1) could hold the key to this event as both look to be improving rapidly and the handicapper may not have fully wreaked his revenge for tidy last-time out successes. Stall one could be more a curse than a blessing for Dan Troop as he will need to be away from the stalls expediently to make full use of his low berth. With that in mind, Kenstone is narrowly preferred to defy a 9lb rise for his authoritative defeat of the useful Sun Lover at this venue last time. The selection quickened nicely clear that day, displaying a more than useful change of gear for a horse of his level to put daylight between him and some toiling rivals. The speed figure recorded suggested it is form worth following and he looks the chief danger to likely favourite Dan Troop.

VIBRANT CHORDS (Best price 8/1) emerged with plenty of credit at this venue when last seen, chasing home a horse in Desert Law which went on to win handsomely at York just days later. That form looks pretty solid and there is a chance we haven't yet seen the best of Vibrant Chords given the way his handler trains with the accent on patience. Conditions should be perfect and the Poet's Voice gelding narrowly tops a lengthy shortlist.

STAKE ACCLAIM (Best price 12/1) isn't far behind in the pecking order for this event and a decent middle draw may well have heartened connections who are always worthy of consideration in sprint handicaps. The Windsor event won by Ice Age (winner at the Curragh since) was a furiously-run affair and produced a brilliant speed figure so Stake Acclaim emerged with plenty of credit to finish so close. He achieved that level of performance despite racing solo on the near side rail while the rest of his rivals migrated to the far side so the effort is worthy of an upgrade.

BRETON ROCK (Best price 5-1) has plenty of previous in this race having landed it last year and finished placed the season before. Many will be put off by the fact he has to shoulder a 3lb penalty today but I would suggest the ability to handle conditions is a good deal more important than a fraction of extra weight. A proven mud-lover, Breton Rock has proved himself anything but a one-trick pony this term, winning on a sound surface at Goodwood before acquitting himself well at Newbury in the Hungerford Stakes where some trouble in running arguably denied him finishing placed. Back at his favoured venue today, the admirable seven-year-old should be in the mix once more.

Simon Crisford has already enjoyed success with a juvenile on Town Moor this week and RED MIST (Best price 9/2) could supplement those gains with victory in an intriguing renewal of this historic race. A lack of experience and track craft arguably cost the selection dear at Newbury when the battle-hardened Hey Garman controlled the race from the front, but the outing should have taught Red Mist plenty and he can reverse placings today. The prevailing conditions shouldn't inconvenience the selection who has already proved he can handle some cut in the ground.

Any further showers will make this race a real war of attrition and that could play to the strengths of DEFOE (Best price 5-1) who has done nothing but thrive all season and is reported in great shape for his biggest test to date. As a son of Dalakhani out of a Pivotal mare, soft ground holds no terrors for Roger Varian's colt who was given a beautiful ride to score cosily at Newbury last time. Unlike one or two of his rivals, Defoe's ability to cope with the conditions and today's trip is already confirmed and he gives the impression there is a little more left under the bonnet. His stable have enjoyed an excellent week on Town Moor and it could be about to reach a crescendo this afternoon.