Turf Talk: Testing conditions should pose few problems for Vintage Folly

Hugo Palmer’s charge has been limited to just two starts this term after winning on her only juvenile outing last year, but her current rating of 102 is testament to the promise she has shown when conditions are right.

Vintage Folly put her very best foot forward on her seasonal bow in the Musidora at York in May, defying her status as one of the outsiders of the five-strong field to be beaten just under two lengths by Shutter Speed.

Admittedly the form of that Group Three heat has turned out to be nothing special, but it was still a fine run for such an inexperienced filly. It is probably best to put a line through her only outing since when she finished a distant last in a Group Two at Saint-Cloud as all was clearly not well on what was pretty quick ground.

Given a break since then, Palmer still retains Group One hopes with this daughter of Makfi and the likely testing conditions here should help her get back on the right track and book her ticket for Champions Day at Ascot.

Solo Hunter is another who seemingly shows his better form with a bit of give in the ground and he is one for the shortlist in the Parklands Leisure Holiday Distributors Handicap.

Martyn Meade has been very patient with this six-year-old and he will be having his third outing of the year here after winning at Windsor in May.

He subsequently pitched up at Sandown in June but perhaps paid the price for making an early bid for home, although the fact he has been off the track since suggests that all was not well on his return.

Clearly it is not ideal to be returning from a lengthy lay-off, but Solo Hunter is good enough on his day to still mount a serious challenge.

TURF TALK TIPS

BEVERLEY: 1.50 Cat Ballou, 2.20 Sempre Presto, 2.55 Dragon Tattoo, 3.25 Clenymistra, 4.00 Suwaan, 4.35 Laubali, 5.05 Rebel Flame, 5.35 Kulgri.

KELSO: 4.30 Arizona Bound, 5.00 Clondaw Banker, 5.30 Sense Of Urgency, 6.00 Capsy Du Mee, 6.30 Prince Khurram, 7.00 Northern Soul.

SANDOWN: 1.30 Look Suprised, 2.00 First Eleven, 2.30 Il Primo Sole (next best), 3.05 Khafoo Shememi, 3.40 Dynamic, 4.15 Music Seeker, 4.45 Luna Magic, 5.15 Dubaitwentytwenty.

YARMOUTH: 2.10 Herdwick, 2.45 Dream Warrior, 3.15 Seyasah, 3.50 VINTAGE FOLLY (NAP), 4.25 Solo Hunter, 4.55 Zabeel Prince (treble), 5.25 Arzaak, 5.55 Jessinamillion.