UK Horse Racing Tips: Stratford

POLLING DAY shaped with more promise than the bare form suggests on his hurdling debut at Fakenham earlier this month, racing keenly up with the pace before coming to grief two from home. With that outing under his belt, he gets the vote to open his account. The unexposed Green Machine may prove a shrewd acquisition for the Fergal O'Brien team and he warrants respect on his hurdling bow, while Cusano is also considered.
Prediction : 1st Polling Day 2nd Green Machine 3rd Cusano

PADDYS ISLAND showed up well for a long way before fading into fourth late on over an extended 2m2f here recently but, stepping back in trip, Robbie Llewellyn's unexposed five-year-old gets the nod to show his rivals the way home. A Day To Dream was last seen finishing an excellent second over 2m at Fakenham, and a repeat of that effort should see him there or thereabouts once again. Reach For The Moon also enters calculations.
Prediction : 1st Paddys Island 2nd A Day To Dream 3rd Reach For The Moon

ELLERTON responded well to the application of a visor when finishing second behind an in-form rival over 2m1f at Newton Abbot latest, and a repeat of that effort might be enough to see him go one place better this time. Ned Cash made a promising start to life in handicaps when finishing third over shorter here last month, and another prominent showing is expected off an unchanged mark. Amalfi Bay is noted too.
Prediction : 1st Ellerton 2nd Ned Cash 3rd Amalfi Bay

A maiden hurdle winner last autumn, ON SE CALME returned to action with decent fourth at Uttoxeter on only her second start handicapping. Alan King's mare has plenty of scope for further progress and gets the vote on this occasion. Sarsen ran well for a long way when third at Fontwell in first-time blinkers and looks likely to be thereabouts at the finish, while the veteran Admiral's Sunset could also go well.
Prediction : 1st On Se Calme 2nd Sarsen 3rd Admirals Sunset

MATTERHORN has won both starts over the larger obstacles in good style, and Paul Nicholls' gelding is difficult to oppose raised only 4lb. He had Parc d'Amour back in third when successful at Worcester last time and finished well clear of the runner-up Gower Prince when scoring at Ludlow before that. The latter pair will do well to reverse the placings, despite the more favourable terms, with Kim Bailey's charge looking the most likely danger.
Prediction : 1st Matterhorn 2nd Parc dAmour 3rd Gower Prince

HICONIC wasn't beaten far in second when upped to 2m4f at Worcester on her latest start. This extra test of stamina should play to her strengths, and she can go one better. Westbrook Lad also found only one too good at Uttoxeter in novice company, but a hike in the weights makes life more difficult, while Ballyvaughan Bay has been raised 6lb for winning a lower grade contest at Southwell. Art Approval is preferred of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Hiconic 2nd Westbrook Lad 3rd Ballyvaughan Bay

NIBRAS GOLD was returning from a break when a close runner-up on his chase debut at Ffos Las at the end of May and has a major chance of going one better, espcially over this suitable longer trip. Previous C&D winner Chess Player has a lot going for on these terms and may pick up the pieces if the selection underperforms, although support in the betting for chasing debutant Walkingoneggshells would also be noteworthy.
Prediction : 1st Nibras Gold 2nd Chess Player 3rd Walkingoneggshells

Ronnies Rules, Kingston Bresil and Peace In The Park are interesting recruits from the point-to-point scene, while Shadowfax Of Rohan can improve after a fourth-placed finish in a Worcester bumper last month. However, it is very possible that the Flat-bred DESERT GUEST will be too speedy for his rivals and the son of Teofilo is suggested as the first to consider in race where the betting market will be a good source of clues.
Prediction : 1st Desert Guest 2nd Ronnies Rules 3rd Kingston Bresil