14:00 Ffos Las

INSIDE I’M DANCIN (best price 16-1) shaped better than the bare result suggested at Warwick last time out and even though there is a possibility today’s performance is an exercise in getting him handicapped, a chance is taken Sheila Lewis’ inmate is allowed to run on his merits. 

Promising on his rules debut at Wincanton a month ago, the five-year-old wasn’t particularly fancied to feature in what appeared to be a stronger race at the Midland venue a few weeks later and although he finished just outside the money, the way he conducted himself for majority of the 2m4f journey was commendable. Travelling up to the point where he made a bad mistake three out, he also met the last two hurdles on the wrong stride and, as a result, those errors ended up extenuating his losing margin. 

In quite a deep and competitive contest for this time of year, he will have to be foot perfect if he is going to force his way into the mix against some useful opposition, but he did more than enough 20 days ago to suggest he is no forlorn hope. 

Inside I'm Dancin - 0.5pts e/w

15:00 Ffos Las

ROBBER’S BRIDGE (best price 10-1) rather let victory slip through his fingers at Wincanton last time out but as the extended 2m5f on heavy ground might have contributed to his agonising defeat, Simon Earle’s inmate is cut a degree of slack and now back on a more favourable surface, he can get back on track and outrun his morning odds. 

Arriving at the west country venue following a smooth success there the time before, the only question mark was the extra three quarters of a mile and although he stayed the trip reasonably well enough, he ultimately just got outbattled in the dying strides by a tougher rival on the day. 

By and large a model of consistency in recent times, he also ran well on his only visit to today’s venue over three miles just over a year ago and in a race as wide open as the market suggests, the six-year-old makes plenty of each-way appeal. 
 

Robbers Bridge - 0.5pts e/w

15:15 York

A cracking renewal of one of the most sought-after sprint prizes in the early part of the campaign and with course form aplenty, AZURE BLUE (best price 6-1) and SWINGALONG (best price 8-1) are fancied to enhance their credentials on the Knavesmire. 

The former landed this contest last season, so there’s a good chance this has been the target again for some time, and being as she goes well fresh, hope is high she can arrive here in the same sort of shape. Establshing herself as one of the best sprinters around that day, she didn’t quite cut the mustard at Group 1 level next time, but she still has time on her side to reach those heights and today’s event looks a good stepping stone towards that goal. 

The latter is unbeaten here in two previous starts and other than one poor effort over a trip and ground that stretched her stamina (1m), she has yet to finish out of the money in ten starts over six furlongs. 
Winner of the Lowther over today’s C&D as a juvenile, she landed a competitive fillies’ contest back at the scene of that performance last season and with her final two efforts at Group 1 level suggesting she is not too far off the very best, another solid display looks on the cards. 

Azure Blue - 1pt e/w
Swingalong - 1pt

17:05 Ffos Las

HIGGS (best price 9-2) arrives here at the top of his game and following a deserved success at Uttoxeter 11 days ago, there seems no obvious reason why the 11-year-old won’t feature again in this similar heat. 

Runner-up on his two previous starts, Sarah-Jayne Davies’ gelding ran the sort of figure in defeat the time before to suggest there was no way he should be a 20-1 poke on his return to the Midland venue and as things transpired, that theory was borne true.

Staying on strongly in the latter stages of a well-contested three-mile affair once establishing a clear lead turning for home, he flawed the major gamble that took place on Harry Derham’s Blagthebookies and having gone well at today’s venue on numerous occasions, he can put that vital track knowledge to good use. 

Higgs - 1pt e/w