Turf Talk - Bulls Aye targets first win at second attempt at Musselburgh

Iain Jardine’s juvenile ran a promising race on debut when fourth at Ayr last month. The son of Intello wore blinkers for that first run but proved he had an engine in a decent event.

The winner, Darvel, has since gone on to run in the Acomb, and the second Toussarok is rated 85. That was over six furlongs, and understandably Bulls Aye moves up to seven now - which looking at his breeding, should suit. It will take a good one to beat him.

Jardine’s Nakeeta may be nine but has shown on more than one occasion this season there is still a bit of his old ability there.

The 2017 Ebor winner was backed at big prices last time out at Ripon but was caught flat-footed over a mile and a half.

His days of winning over that trip are probably over, and he steps up to almost two miles again and is down in grade for the Racing Welfare For All Of Racing’s People Handicap.

Significantly might not be much of a price in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes, but Karl Burke is looking for a confidence boost for his useful juvenile.

Burke must be scratching his head over how the son of Garswood has yet to win a race. He flew home on debut at Newcastle but failed to catch the smart Muker. He was in front a stride after the line. At Doncaster, Significantly was in front too soon and was caught on the line; then at Sandown in a Listed race he was yet again worn down close home, having looked like winning.

In the Molecomb at Goodwood he received a bump at the start and was away from the pace, so a line can be put through that.

He can surely get off the mark this time.

Ralph Beckett’s John Locke has shown enough ability in his two runs to date to suggest he is capable of winning the Betway Maiden Stakes at Lingfield.

He looked home and hosed last time out, only for John Gosden’s Faisal to sprout wings and win going away - but there was more than eight lengths back to the third.

Nearly Famous can make a name for herself in the Play 4 To Win At Betway Handicap.

Grace Harris’ seven-year-old has been lightly-raced since arriving from Jessica Harrington’s yard 20 months ago. She had some decent winning Irish form both on the Flat and over hurdles, though, in the context of this modest race.

Nearly Famous returned from an 18-month break in June, and then fared with some encouragement when staying on late from off the pace into fourth on her second and most recent trip to Chepstow.

That was over just half-a-furlong further than this trip - and with Hollie Doyle back to ride, she should be ready to run well again.

SOBOT’S SELECTIONS

LINGFIELD: 2.55 Treaty Of Dingle, 3.25 Birkie Queen, 3.55 Sweet Charity, 4.30 John Locke, 5.00 Nearly Famous, 5.30 Pleasure Garden, 6.00 Code Of Silence, 6.30 Falcon Brook, 7.00 Locket, 7.30 Harbour Point.

MUSSELBURGH: 1.00 BULLS AYE (NAP), 1.30 Grace And Virtue, 2.00 Lady Calcaria, 2.30 Significantly, 3.00 Hello Girl, 3.30 Show Palace, 4.05 Barney Bullet, 4.35 Nakeeta (next best), 5.05 High Fort.

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