Turf Talk: Smart money on Nameitwhatyoulike to continue golden run

Smart has enjoyed something of a renaissance these last few weeks after a few quiet seasons.

Always renowned for his handling of sprinters, it was this seven-year-old who propelled him back into the spotlight at Ripon by winning the Great St Wilfrid.

Following hot on the heels of that, Alpha Delphini won a competitive renewal of the Beverley Bullet, following in the hoofprints of his half-brother Tangerine Trees, who also won the Prix de l’Abbaye for Smart.

Then back at Ripon on Monday, Smart sent out the promising Alicante Dawn to win the Listed two-year-old trophy to become the first trainer ever to win the track’s two feature races in the same season.

Watching Smart bounce around again on a racecourse, full of beans, it seems his horses have obviously picked up on the mood change as he has already surpassed last year’s total prize-money with a couple of the months of the season remaining.

Nameitwhatyoulike’s big win was a career-best despite his advancing years and the forecast of a few showers is perfect.

Danzeno is the clear pick on ratings but has been below his best this season so George Dryden rates the danger.

Andrew Balding’s Swashbuckle should be hard to beat in the Fred Nowell Memorial Stakes.

After three placed runs in maidens the well-bred colt opened his account off a mark of 73 at Ffos Las, promising more.

That came on his return to the Welsh venue when, off 5lb higher, he was an even easier winner.

When Balding’s horses start to improve like that then there is absolutely no guessing where it will stop and the three-year-old faces some mostly exposed opponents.

SOBOT’S SELECTION

DUNDALK: 1.30 Born Innocent, 2.00 Chiclet, 2.30 Ambassadorial, 3.00 De Coronado, 3.30 Cenotaph, 4.00 Matriarch, 4.30 Danse Rouge, 5.00 Darkyila.

FONTWELL: 2.20 Kayf Willow, 2.50 Diable De Sivola, 3.20 Mrs Burbidge, 3.50 Crimson Ark, 4.20 Sir Toby, 4.50 Walter White, 5.20 Jezzebelle.

YORK: 2.10 Eynhallow (next best), 2.40 Darrington, 3.10 NAMEITWHATYOULIKE (NAP), 3.40 Dundunah,4.10 Swashbuckle (treble), 4.40 Laughton, 5.10 Sisyphus.