Yarmouth - Fri 14 Aug 2026
This appears to be a gilt-edged opportunity for MATINS to maintain his unbeaten record. William Haggas' colt was impressive when romping home on his debut at Salisbury and there should be more to come. Although newcomer Emperor Aurelius receives 7lb from the selection, he will need to be smart to be making his first appearance at a racecourse a winning one.
Mino shaped with more promise when coming home in fifth at Doncaster last time and is still open to improvement, but it could be worth taking a punt on JUNIOR AGAIN making a winning debut. George Boughey has his string in fine fettle and his 85,000gns purchase could be up to the task. Fellow newcomer Rock Montreal also warrants a market check.
Having recorded a double here last month, Divot is sure to prove popular in his hat-trick bid. However, a 5lb rise from the assessor does demand another career best from the four-year-old and it could be worth chancing stable debutant ARCTURUS FLAME. James Owen has displayed a clear knack for rejuvenating other yard's runners and the Too Darn Hot gelding could add another string to his bow. Zachary Hickes may take home the bronze medal.
LETSBEATSEPSIS had been knocking at the door before making the breakthrough in a similar contest at Windsor and although penalised for that success, promising apprentice Jude Fernandes now takes 7lb off his back. The Moores' charge is preferred to Nicely Curved, who wasn't beaten far over 7f here last time. Heer's Sadie drops from handicap company and must also be considered.
ALWAYS PERFECT won here over 6f before racing too keenly when fourth at Newbury. The drop to 5f for the first time might unlock further improvement and Charlie Fellowes' filly gets the vote at the expense of Creative Queen, who wasn't disgraced at Ripon and does have a course win on her CV already. She merits respect on that basis, while Zoustar Dreams wasn't far behind her last time so also warrants consideration.
MISTER SANDMAN went desperately close at Brighton in June and with a hood deployed for the first time following a short break, he is fancied to make amends. Valadero also won at Brighton last time, but it remains to be seen whether the drop from 7f will play to his strengths. Mayflower Rock kept on well into third over the minimum trip here latest and is still open to plenty of improvement, not least at 6f.
Though he'll go off a prohibitive price it's impossible to oppose MATINS here. He looked potentially classy when winning on debut over 1m on fast ground and that form has been boosted. His sole rival Emperor Aurelius comes from a yard which isn't known for first time out winners so is best watched.
MAJESTIC JUDE only beat 1 home here on debut on fast ground but he wasn't beaten all that far and the winner has boosted the form at Listed level. He can build on that experience and defeat Stormy Winter who was given too much to do at a sharp track first time out. He should be capable of much better for top connections so looks a big threat along with newcomers Rock Montreal and Junior Again. The former is related to plenty of winners and is worth following carefully in the betting.
Divot is likely to prove popular in his hat trick bid given his fine record here. However he has gone up again in the weights and could be stretched by this extra distance. ZACHARY HICKES starts out in handicaps off a lenient mark judged on his best novice form and has shaped as if in need of this longer distance. He is chosen ahead of Good Onya Mate who shaped with promise in both codes in Ireland. He has proven his stamina for further and arrives on a workable mark.
NICELY CURVED is in danger of becoming frustrating but should be able to gain a first victory in the UK here. She has been in good form recently and was a touch unlucky here last time flying home having been forced to switch. She wasn't given the best ride that day but can make amends now stepped back up to her optimum distance on favourable fast ground. Multiple C&D winner Heer's Sadie bounced back to form when returned to a sound surface here last time. If building on that she looks the obvious danger ahead of Oh So Audacious who hinted at better last time in the retained cheekpieces.
RUMBLE RUBY has won 2 of her last 3 and is expected to continue her progress. She carries a 6lb penalty but remains well treated on her novice win and this track should suit over the minimum trip. Zoustar Dreams was disappointing last time but is another who arrives in good form with 3 victories in her last 5 outings. She's versatile ground wise and looks a big danger ahead of the consistent Always Perfect who is still the least exposed in the line up.
Consistent 5f winner MY MATE MACKLEY proved his stamina for 6f when runner up last time. That also demonstrated that he handles a faster surface and he looks well treated on these terms dropping in grade so gets the verdict. The unexposed Mayflower Rock hinted at better over an inadequate 5f here last time and looks a huge danger stepping up in distance. Last time out winner Valadero will have no issue with the drop back in trip and could be tough to peg back if allowed to dominate.
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