Turf Talk: Brian The Snail's ability level picking up pace

Owned and trained by Richard Fahey, the son of Zebedee – hence the name as both were characters in children’s TV Show The Magic Roundabout – was sent off the 2-1 favourite at Pontefract. He showed a really likeable attitude to fight off Father McKenzie and win by a length, doing all his best work close home.

The winner carried a rating of 75 into the contest so set a decent level of form and Brian The Snail can surely only improve for that experience.

The highest rated of his rivals in here is Secret Potion on 77 so he does not have a mountain to climb.

Iain Jardine is a trainer making a real name for himself through the exploits of Shrewd and Nakeeta and he looks likely to be a fixture for years to come.

He runs Fingal’s Cave in the Dine And View At Catterick Races Handicap and on his first start for the yard he looks interesting.

Formerly with Mick Channon, he is on a career-high mark of 84 but there is just a chance Jardine could illicit some improvement.

Off the track for 103 days he arrives fresh against some opponents who have been on the go all season.

Hugo Palmer is keen to get a win on the board with Mazyoun and in the absence of Frankie Dettori at Newcastle Josephine Gordon has been entrusted with the ride in the Electron Services NE Ltd Median Auction Maiden Stakes.

Owned by Al Shaqab the youngster has shown a smart level of form in four races but without managing to break his duck. There has been no disgrace in his last two defeats, though, as he made good late ground to finish second to Mubtasim in a £300,000 sales race at Doncaster and he was also placed behind Wick Powell in Redcar’s Two-Year-Old Trophy.

SOBOT’S SELECTIONS

BANGOR: 2.10 Keep In Line, 2.40 Barters Hill, 3.15 Captain McGinley, 3.45 Blake Dean, 4.15 Chic Theatre, 4.45 Le Breuil.

CATTERICK: 1.20 BRIAN THE SNAIL (NAP), 1.50 Emerald Loch, 2.20 Rose Eclair, 2.55 La Fritillaire, 3.25 Fingal’s Cave (treble), 4.00 Bahama Moon, 4.30 Coolcalmcollected, 5.05 Lydiate Lady

CHEPSTOW: 2.00 Abbotswood, 2.30 Dr Robin, 3.05 Filatore, 3.35 Bold Conquest, 4.05 Thistlecrack, 4.35 Double Court.

NEWCASTLE: 5.00 Cape Dignity, 5.30 Rashford’s Double, 6.00 Mazyoun (next best), 6.30 Lomu, 7.00 Bryght Boy, 7.30 Rioja Day, 8.00 Lovin’ Spoonful, 8.30 Deben.