Pillar Of Hope looks the pick of the Bank Holiday action as he bids for a second course and distance win at Redcar in the Racing TV Zetland Gold Cup.
Charlie Johnston’s charge was rated 82 when striking gold at the Tees Valley track in September and returns off the same mark.
Results since that verdict have been largely disappointing, but in fairness his below-par runs were on the all-weather and he showed his true colours back on the grass at Beverley last month when knuckling down to see off Crownthorpe by a head.
He is two from three on the turf and has every chance of enhancing that record for a yard that has been among the winners in recent days.
Dukeman looks the potential class act on show in the following Jacks Coaches Handicap.
The son of Kingman cost plenty as a 500,000 guineas yearling purchase and while he was unraced at two, there was plenty of encouragement from each of his three starts as a three-year-old.
The Simon and Ed Crisford-trained youngster confirmed the promise of a debut third at Thirsk with a first win on his second start at Newcastle, after which he filled the runner-up spot at Epsom.
His fitness has to be taken on trust on his seasonal bow, but there is every chance that he will prove better than his opening handicap mark of 82 in time.
The Roger Teal-trained Whenthedealinsdone may be able to exploit his falling mark in the Fitzdares Sprint Series Handicap at Windsor.
The five-year-old has won from his current perch of 93 before and fairly bolted up off 90 at Ascot in the latter part of last season.
There was promise in his reappearance at Goodwood and he was not beaten far at York last time when the gaps did not open for him when he needed them.
The handicapper’s decision to drop him 3lb since looks more than fair and the fact he is a previous winner over this track and trip adds further confidence.
In the Play With The Finest Bookmaker, Fitzdares Handicap, Peace Man looks a likely winner for the Gosden team.
While four-year-old was not disgraced in either of his first couple of races, he was a 14/1 shot when making it third time lucky over course and distance.
He could make up into a smart handicapper in time and an opening perch of 86 appears workable.
IRISH NEWS YANKEE
Nap Pillar Of Hope
(4.00: Redcar)
DOUBLE Dukeman
(4.36: Redcar)
TREBLE Whenthedealinsdone
(3.10: Windsor)
YANKEE Peace Man
(3.45: Windsor)
