Dubka and Sky Khan among tips for Bath and Wetherby
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Dubka set for Moore success at Bath
Dubka is progressing at a rate of knots and can take the step up into Listed company in her stride to land the 1m 6f feature contest on today’s card at Bath (15.40).
The Sir Michael Stoute trained filly is unbeaten in four starts since her debut, and was particularly impressive on the last of those in a handicap at Newmarket when romping to a 3 3/4 length success.
After racing close-up at the rear of the six-runner field, the three-year-old made smooth headway to track the leaders half a mile from home before taking up the running a furlong out and quickening clear.
Dubka was value for more than the winning margin and the way in which she quickly put the race to bed suggested she needed keeping firmly onside.
This represents her stiffest task to date but Dubaka looks the type who should have even more to offer and with Ryan Moore in the saddle can complete the five-timer.
Coeur De Lion weighted to collect on handicap debut
Trainer Alan King has been doing well with his runners on the level, and Coeur De Lion can capitalise on what looks a lenient mark to provide him with another winner in the 2m 1f handicap (15.05).
The gelding has shaped with promise in three maiden runs, most notably on debut over 1m 2f at Salisbury when fifth of 12 to Wave Reviews.
After getting outpaced two from home, Coeuer De Lion stayed on nicely under tender handling to be beaten 7 1/4 lengths.
The runner-up has won since to be rated 85 and the seventh home Dance The Dream has scored twice to be rated 90.
That gives the form a solid look in the context of this class 5 contest and suggests Coeur De Lion could have got in lightly on handicap debut off an opening mark off 71.
The selection was also far from disgraced last time out when fifth to To Eternity over 1m 4f and, being a half-brother to two bumper winners, looks the type who should come into his own now stepped up significantly in trip.
Bath best bets
13.30: Point Of Woods
14.00: Burning Thread
14.30: Kowaiyess
15.05: Coeur de Lion (NB)
15.40: Dubka (NAP)
16.10: Beatbybeatbybeat
16.45: Vantage Point
17.15: Captain George
Class-dropping Sky Khan worth a wager at Wetherby
Sky Khan looks decent value to take advantage of a drop in class and land the 2m 5f handicap hurdle on today’s card at Wetherby (16.35).
The Lucinda Russell trained seven-year-old got back to winning ways when landing a class 2 contest at Market Rasen last November and went on to post some really solid efforts in much more competitive affairs.
They included a cracking third of 24 to Ibis De Rheu in the class 2 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, off a mark of 135 and a fine fourth of 22 at Aintree off 140.
Sky Khan was also far from disgraced when fifth of 25 to Anibale Fly in a hot contest at the Punchestown Festival and the form of those races read very well in relation to this lower grade class 3 affair.
The selection’s current mark of 138 also looks workable on the pick of his form and another plus is that Sky Khan has a strike rate of 66 per cent over the trip (two wins from three starts).
Return Flight poised to follow-up
Return Flight scored in terrific style last time out and can make light of a penalty to follow-up in the 2m handicap hurdle (17.40).
The five-year-old caught the eye on several occasions when in the care of Micky Hammond, and looked way ahead of the assessor when making a winning debut for trainer Dan Skelton at Southwell nine days ago.
Return Flight raced prominently through and, after taking up the running three from home, drew clear to win easily by five lengths despite being far from fluent at the last.
The gelding is due to go up 15lb for that runway success so it’s no surprise to see connections turn him out quickly under a 7lb penalty.
It means that Return Flight is 8lb well-in at the weights and makes him impossible to oppose off just 10st in what looks a very winnable class 3 contest.
Wetherby tips
14.20: Nucky Thompson
14.55: Ballybolley
15.30: Sharp Response
16.00: The Grey Taylor
16.35: Sky Khan (NAP)
17.05: Monbeg River
17.40: Return Flight (NB)
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