Little Hug may need nothing more than a gentle squeeze to open her account at Lingfield following an encouraging run last month.
Roger Varian’s three-year-old showed little in two starts last term, but has been much improved since returning a year older and wiser.
She was a keeping on fifth beaten just over two lengths on her return at Yarmouth before returning to the seaside course to pick up a silver medal most recently.
Keenness in the early stages didn’t help the daughter of Invincible Spirit on that occasion, but she showed a good attitude to keep striving for victory at the business end and if acting a little more professional here, is a good bet to get off the mark in the Curtis Packaging: Sprint To The Print Novice Stakes.
Red Zone Hero rattled the crossbar at Yarmouth last time and looks well placed to get off the mark in the opening EBF Maiden Stakes at Ayr.
There was plenty of encouragement to be taken from the Starspangledbanner colt’s fifth placed finish on his introduction at Windsor and he took a step forward when beaten just three-quarters-of-a-length into second place next time.
Turning out just under a fortnight later, he can make it third time lucky in Scotland.
Course form can come to the fore when Novak lines up in the Book Scottish Sun Ladies Night Handicap.
Iain Jardine’s gelding was a winner over course and distance off a mark 10lb lower three starts ago, but has been unstoppable since, dropping back to six furlongs to add victories at both Hamilton and back here late last month.
He was again going away at the finish in his most recent outing which suggests the handicapper is yet to fully get him in his grasp and he is the one to beat.
At Ffos Las the booking of Oisin Murphy catches the eye aboard Rod Millman’s Four Adaay in the Mel Attreed / Alan Bushell Handicap.
The five-year-old has already been in the winner’s enclosure twice this season and now attempts to go one better than her Chepstow second off the same mark earlier this month.
She is only 1lb higher than when striking at Newmarket in a hotter heat than this three starts ago and is a consistent performer enjoying a fine season. The application of blinkers is viewed as a positive.
IRISH NEWS YANKEE
NAP Little Hug
(6.57: Lingfield)
DOUBLE Red Zone Hero
(2.30: Ayr)
TREBLE Novak
(3.40: Ayr)
YANKEE Four Adaay
(7.07: Ffos Las)
