Branscombe looks capable of putting York flop behind him

The last ten winners of Ascot’s Gigaset International Stakes were aged four or five and this race has thrown up several shocks, with winners at 40-1, 33-1 (twice), 25-1, 18-1, 16-1 and 14-1 in that period.

WAR GLORY, who did best of the centre group when fifth to Parfait in the Silver Bunbury Cup, could be the way to go.

Fastnet Rock’s progeny have a great record on Tapeta, with 29 winners from 123 runners since the start of 2015, for a profit of £74.03 to £1 level stakes. Tim Easterby’s FASTALONG, who did well to run fourth from a poor wide draw at Chester on his latest outing, could improve for the switch to an artificial surface at Newcastle on Saturday.

The 1m6f Haydock handicap won by Ebor hope Zenon recently is working out well, with the second, fifth and ninth all scoring next time. MISTER MANDURO was last of ten in that but did too much too soon and can return to winning ways wherever he winds up this week.

COOLFITCH has blown the start on occasions but looks set to encounter her preferred soft ground and big field at Ascot on Friday. She ran a blinder from a tough draw when a close second on unsuitably quick ground at York last time and her handicap record in fields in 12 or more runners, aside from seasonal debuts, now reads 312.

Mark Johnston’s BRANSCOMBE, usually ridden prominently, couldn’t get involved at York last time and is worth another go in the 6f nursery at Newbury on Thursday. Johnston is four from eight in nurseries this year for a profit of £10.16 to £1 level stake. He’s also in at Thirsk on Friday.

HARLEQUIN STRIKER was a tailed-off last of four at Epsom on his latest outing, but the ground was plenty quick enough that day and he can bounce back at Sandown on Wednesday night.

He always needs his first three runs but his record from his fourth start onwards, on good to soft or softer going, reads 1121237 (3-7). Trainer Dean Ivory ended a barren spell at Newmarket on Saturday.

SHOW PALACE is difficult to beat at the minimum trip on good to soft or softer going, taking his record under such conditions to 111101 (5-6) when scoring at Carlisle last time. The sole defeat can be excused, as he went solo down the stands’ side from stall 20 at Ayr (first three drawn one, three, seven) and he’s been found a good chance at Nottingham on Tuesday.

It was hard to win from off the pace at Wolverhampton last week and LOVE TO ROCK fared second best of the hold-up horses when fifth of 13 over the mile trip. The strong pace will suit at Musselburgh on Tuesday.

BROTHER TIGER also ran well against the pace bias at Wolverhampton last week, keeping on well into fourth in the 6f handicap. He can return to winning ways at Chelmsford where he looks well drawn.

Selections
Tuesday
Chelmsford 7.00 Brother Tiger
Musselburgh 2.15 Love To Rock
Nottingham 6.50 Show Palace (NAP)

Wednesday
Sandown 6.35 Harlequin Striker

Thursday
Doncaster 7.50 Savannah Slew
Newbury 6.30 Branscombe, 8.40 Samarmadi
Sandown 2.30 Mister Manduro

Friday
Ascot 2.45 Mister Manduro, 3.20 Tisbutadream, 3.55 Mister Manduro, 4.25 Coolfitch (N.B.)
Newmarket 8.10 Mister Manduro
Thirsk 2.20 Fastalong, 2.55 Branscombe, 4.35 Samarmadi

Saturday
Ascot 3.00 War Glory
Chester 3.10 Muirsheen Durkin
Newcastle 1.25 Fastalong
Newmarket 4.00 Golden Apollo
York 2.40 Golden Apollo

Sunday
Curragh 3.50 Tisbutadream

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