Gold Sands has an excellent chance of getting off the mark on Kempton polytrack tonight when James Tate's charge faces eleven inferior rivals (bar one!) in the Maiden Stakes over a mile and a half, which should be absolutely ideal.
Three weeks ago we napped Gold Sands for a similar race over ten furlongs on a 'good to firm' surface at Newbury which had been watered; in the early stages it was obvious this Cape Cross was inconvenienced by a moderate pace and so it proved when pace-making Journey quickened from the front approaching the final furlong and had too much toe.
Gold Sands stayed on well in a manner which suggested further would suit better and here we are, in a stamina test with a 5lbs fillies' allowance that, hopefully, will weigh heavily against David Simcock-trained Crowned With Stars.
Simcock is a real "favourite" as readers are obviously aware and this twice-raced Sea The Stars gelding is typical of what his modus operandi is all about; often his runners win at the third attempt and he' kills two birds with one stone' by getting them handicapped in the process.
Crowned With Stars is a time-handicap danger but others need to improve considerably; that's unlikely and if all-weather "expert" Jim Crowley allows Gold Sands to stride out from the start she will be difficult to overcome.
Looking forward to an intriguing race and Back To Bond attempting to make it third time lucky in the Maiden 2-y-o Stakes over six furlongs of 'good to firm' Thirsk which kicks off yet another five meetings schedule country-wide; absolute madness!
There again we are stuck with this overwhelming situation day in, day out, and we're countering the 'problem' by sticking with a daily patent and specialising with set-weight races; recent, consistent, results have been satisfactory but there's no room for complacency and we will certainly keep focused.
Richard Fahey will be vexed if promising Back To Bond doesn't carry Paul Hanagan into the winners' enclosure.
There are two jumping fixtures and the likelihood of updates and so click onto www.dailyearner.co.uk and "Be Ready!"