Bath preview: Phyllis Maud can score for in-form trainer Crisford

Simon Crisford has made a tremendous start in his first season as a trainer, and Phyllis Maud can provide him with another winner in the 1m 2f handicap on this evening’s card at Bath (20.35).

The former racing manager to Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation has saddled seven winners and three placed from 20 runners to boast a terrific strike rate of 35 per cent.

In Phyllis Maud he has an unexposed filly who bolted up by seven lengths over course and distance on debut last year when trained by Mark Johnston, and shaped with plenty of encouragement last time out on her first start for the yard.

The three-year-old kept on well to go down by 2 1/2 lengths to Mikandy in a decent nine-runner class 5 contest at Nottingham, and the winner is a thriving sort who was completing a hat-trick of successes.

Several of thsoein behind had some solid form to their name, and it was an effort which suggested Phyllis Maud was ahead of her current handicap mark.

This is also a far less competitive contest, and looks a glorious opening for Phyllis Maud to go one better and get back to winning ways.

Elsewhere on the card, trainer Sir Mark Prescott looks to have leading claims of landing a double with short-priced favourites All For The Best and Light Breaks.

All For The Best posted an improved effort last time out when runner-up on his handicap debut at Kempton and can go one better to open his account in the 1m 5f handicap (20.05).

The gelding stayed on gamely to go down by just 1/2 a length in the 1m 3f contest, and shaped as if ahead of his current handicap mark.

This evening’s extra two furlongs also look sure to suit and, with cheekpieces fitted for the first time, All For The Best looks weighted to take all the beating.

Light Breaks opened his account with a runaway five length success over course and looks thrown-in under a 6lb penalty in the extended 1m 3f handicap that closes proceedings (21.05).

The three-year-old won easing down with any amount in hand, and it’s no surprise to see connections turn him out quickly as Light Breaks is due to go up 10lb for that victory in future engagements so is officially 4lb “well-in” at the weights.

Selections:
18.05: Pity Cash
18.35: You’re My Cracker
19.05: Russian Reward
19.35: Wordiness
20.05: All For The Best
20.35: Phyllis Maud (NAP)
21.05: Light Breaks (NB)