'No doubt Bigmartre is on an attractive mark' says optimistic Whittington

Harry Whittington is closing in on his most lucrative campaign and thinks Bigmartre, a smart novice last season, has dropped to a mark that gives him leading claims in Britain's richest race of the day, Perth's £30,000 2m4f Heineken UK River Tay Handicap Chase (3.30).

A three-time winner last term, the eight-year-old, not disgraced in the Plate at Cheltenham and the Topham over the Grand National fences, has gone a year without victory – perhaps paying the price for those efforts.

Whittington, however, is optimistic of a bold show, particularly with capable conditional Page Fuller taking off 3lb.

"I suppose he's struggled a little from having such a good season as a novice last term, but he's dropping to a workable mark and perhaps a race of this kind, at a smaller track than Cheltenham or Aintree, will help," said the trainer.

"It's less competitive by design than those big handicaps at the big meetings.

"He's still in good form and is off an attractive mark – there's no doubt about that, while Page has very good statistics in chases for a 3lb conditional."

Bolt ready to strike

Derby-winning trainer Paul Cole has made a bright start to the Flat turf season and is represented in Chelmsford's Betsi Conditions Stakes (7.00) with Baron Bolt, last seen dead-heating with Son Of Rest in the Ayr Gold Cup.

"The horse is in tip-top form," said Cole. "He's been a bit slow with his coat, but is not a horse who needs much work – he's naturally a fit type – so I think he's fit. He hasn't won on the all-weather but he's been second on it."

Baron Bolt is now rated 108, a figure giving connections cause for thought.

Nothing in it: Son Of Rest and Baron Bolt (10) in the Ayr Gold CupCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"Because Son Of Rest, who we dead-heated with in the Ayr Gold Cup, had just been second in a Group 1 in Ireland, it means we're up to 108, which he's never raced to in his life," Cole added.

"So finding an opportunity for a little while is going to be difficult. After this we'll wait for a Listed race and see what he's like at that level."

Andrew Balding fields Foxtrot Lady, who also progressed through the ranks last season.

She rose from 83 to 102 and Balding, who has enjoyed a fruitful spring, said: "She had a good season last year, so it will be interesting to see what she can do now.

"It looks a strong race and we're keen to see how she does at the track as we could go for the valuable fillies' race there [Queen Charlotte Stakes on June 19]. She improved for racing last year but hopefully can run well."

Also in the line-up is 11-year-old Tropics, who will look to continue his excellent record at Chelmsford. The two-time July Cup runner-up is four from six at the track and along with Eirene represents Dean Ivory, who won this last year with Lancelot Du Lac.

Maarek ready to rumble

Maarek, 12 years of age and trainer Evanna McCutcheon's pride and joy, returns to action over five furlongs in the Tipperary Racecourse Handicap (5.05) to start his tenth campaign.

Maarek, who has won 14 of his 82 races, has slipped down the ratings in recent seasons from the heights he achieved some years ago, most notably in 2013 when he enjoyed his biggest success when landing the Group 1 Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp.

Also successful at Group 2, Group 3 and Listed level, Maarek has not won since landing a 6f handicap at Navan in October 2017 off a mark of 98.

Maarek (red): returns to actionCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Now rated 86, he faces 13 rivals and, speaking on Wednesday, McCutcheon said: "At this stage of his career Maarek definitely needs plenty of cut in the ground. We had rain in the area this morning and we could do with some more showers to ease conditions.

"He's been working away fine and still seems to be enjoying being in training. He's been bucking and squealing today and I don't know what he'd do if we decided to retire him.

"What he really needs is a run of races on ground he likes, and hopefully there'll be another race or two in him."

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