5 minutes Check out my NAPS from Thursday's seven race meetings in the UK and Ireland
14:40 Haydock
Yale Smart Stride Apprentice Training Series Handicap (Part Of The Racing Excellence Series)
SECRET MISTRAL - 11/4
A dual all-weather scorer who went close over this C&D last season, SECRET MISTRAL looks poised to take a step forward on her second run back from a break. She shaped better than the result suggested when sixth of seven here twelve days ago, racing fresh after four months off and likely to come on plenty for the outing. A return to peak fitness could see her bounce back to the form that saw her win here last June off just 1lb lower. She remains lightly raced for a five-year-old and has the added benefit of Jay Mackay taking 5lbs off.
Glory Fighter arrives in good nick and boasts a solid record at this venue, while Street Life, another with strong course credentials, continues to run well and adds depth to the field. True Promise is dangerous if responding to first-time blinkers, but may prove vulnerable to a sharper improver.
15:50 Perth
PWA Architecture Handicap Hurdle
PALM BEACH - 7/2
Placed in this very race last year off a 13lbs higher mark, PALM BEACH is dangerously well treated if his new yard has found the key to him. A switch to Ben Pauling’s stable could be just what’s needed to spark a revival and market support on debut for the yard would speak volumes. His fourth-placed effort here in July 2023 came in stronger company and a repeat of that form would see him go very close off this basement rating.
Raby Mere is 2-3 since joining Olly Murphy and warrants plenty of respect despite a 7lbs rise, while Heart Above has run some solid races here and looks a big player if keeping his composure. Malangen is a track specialist and dangerous to dismiss if getting his own way in front, but Palm Beach may prove the best-handicapped runner in the field.
16:02 Yarmouth
Weatherbys EBF Maiden Stakes (GBB Race)
HIGH APPROVAL - 4/5
Sent off favourite on debut at Nottingham, HIGH APPROVAL couldn’t quite justify the market confidence but shaped with plenty of promise to finish third in a race that’s already working out well. The winner, fourth and fifth have all won since and with that run under his belt, this €400,000 breeze-up buy can be expected to take a sizeable step forward. The son of Kodiac now gets the assistance of James Doyle and sets a clear form standard.
There’s intrigue in Kodi Island, a £500,000 breeze-up graduate representing the same yard and owners that landed this race last year with future Group 1 star Shadow Of Light, while Peel Park has shown ability and could come on for his two solid efforts. Reception adds depth, but this looks a gilt-edged opportunity for High Approval to get off the mark.
16:37 Kempton
Unibet Supporting Safer Gambling Fillies' Novice Stakes (GBB Race)
DYSART ENOS - 5/1
An unbeaten bumper mare and high-class hurdler, DYSART ENOS brings a serious level of ability to this maiden and could easily make a winning transition to the Flat. She's already landed a Grade 2 at Aintree and was last seen running a huge race to finish a close third in the Scottish Champion Hurdle. Pace has never been an issue and her class may well shine through over this trip on the Polytrack.
Plenty of well-bred types line up, including Mission Possible, who cost 725,000gns and should build on her Salisbury debut. Ritaan took a nice step forward at Ripon last time and has claims, while Satavia has a pedigree that suggests she'll do better in time. But it’s the jump star Dysart Enos who stands out on ability alone.
17:00 Tipperary
Tipperary Town 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle
HAWKESBURY LEGEND - 4/1
A springtime improver on the Flat, HAWKESBURY LEGEND makes plenty of appeal on this hurdling debut for Declan Queally. He took a step forward once sent handicapping, culminating in a deserved win over 1m2f at Brighton in May. A £15,000 recruit since, he now switches codes with stamina assured and represents a yard more than capable of readying one for a successful first start in this sphere.
Junkyard Dog is the obvious threat, arriving off a consistent Flat campaign and representing a yard with an excellent record in juvenile hurdles. Felicity Smoak is respected on her recent second at Fairyhouse, while Your Call also makes some appeal on pedigree. But if Hawkesbury Legend adapts to hurdling, his Flat ability gives him a real shot.
19:07 Bellewstown
EMERALD HARMONY - 9/2
Back down to her last winning mark, EMERALD HARMONY looks ready to strike again at a track where she’s already tasted success. A course and distance winner in April off this same rating of 77, she’s run consistently in higher-grade company since and now returns to more suitable territory. With Ben Coen back in the saddle and conditions to suit, she makes plenty of appeal in what looks a wide-open sprint.
Aurora Nova and Billie Be Quick both arrive on the back of recent wins and should go well again despite their respective rises in the weights. Only Spoofing is a seasoned campaigner with a good track record, but Emerald Harmony's proven ability at this venue tips the balance in her favour.
