Ante-Post Focus

Gary Nutting has tipped up the following winners over the summer in his Ante-Post Focus column:

20-1 Wizard Of Eye, Victoria Cup 
12-1 Daiquiri Bay, Copper Horse Handicap
25-1 Align The Stars, Northumberland Plate
14-1 Daiquiri Bay, Ebor Handicap
16-1 Pina Sonata, Sceptre Fillies' Stakes

Published 03/11

SOLARIZE is a fascinating contender for the Virgin Bet November Handicap and may be worth risking at big odds despite being set to have only his second turf run at Doncaster on Saturday - live on Sky Sports Racing.

Charlie Johnston’s four-year-old has a persuasively progressive profile, winning three of his seven all-weather starts (including in a Class 3 handicap when last seen on an artificial surface) and scoring on grass debut at Leicester last time.

At both Southwell, which followed a seven-month absence, and at Leicester four weeks ago he found plenty off the bridle, which has been a characteristic of so many winners of this race down the years.

Furthermore he boasts a pedigree that offers encouragement for the step up to this level, being a half-brother to 110-rated Hamada, who won all three of his handicap starts on route to Group 3 success in the Geoffrey Freer at Newbury.

The selection has been raised 5lb to a mark of 94 for that Leicester win on quick ground, leaving him plenty of wriggle-room for improvement on breeding, and while underfoot conditions are currently Soft (Good to Soft in places), the weather forecast gives hope for a few drying days.