Turf Talk - Rake’s Progress can break new ground in Windsor’s Warfield Handicap

Rake’s Progress turned in a solid effort at Newbury on his latest start, but can take a starring role in the Warfield Handicap at Windsor.
Windsor racecourse during social distancing meetings. Picture: Edward Whitaker/Pool via Getty ImagesWindsor racecourse during social distancing meetings. Picture: Edward Whitaker/Pool via Getty Images
Windsor racecourse during social distancing meetings. Picture: Edward Whitaker/Pool via Getty Images

Heather Main’s five-year-old put in good late work to take second place behind Involved over a mile and a quarter last month, eventually being beaten three and a quarter lengths.

That was his first outing in 223 days, so clearly Rake’s Progress should strip fitter for the outing, and a 1lb rise in the weights certainly does not look insurmountable.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Stepping up in trip by a furlong and a half also looks to be a positive factor, and any further rain would not be a concern either.

Blue De Vega continues to perform with credit and is worth a chance in the Felix Handicap.

It is four years now since he finished third in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, and he appears to have found his ideal trip at five furlongs and can usually be relied upon to be thereabouts when fully fit.

He was not beaten that far when eighth on his return in an ultra-competitive event at Newmarket and again was staying on last time out to finish third after making a bit of a slow start and meeting some trouble in running.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Dropped 3lb for those two outings, he is now a bit below his winning mark of last year and should go well again.

Mark Johnston has given March Law a great opportunity to get off the mark in the EBF Stallions Novice Stakes at Ayr.

The Lawman colt put in a tremendous effort at the Royal meeting when attempting to make all the running in the Chesham Stakes.

Only the Aidan O’Brien-trained Battleground managed to get past him and claim the Listed honours. On that evidence, March Law should outclass this opposition and score at the third attempt.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The drinks can be on Glasses Up again after the CPMS Handicap.

Mike Smith’s five-year-old did the business at the Scottish venue last month on his second start following a 233-day break.

He steps up from a mile to a mile and a quarter, but he did win over this course and distance three times in 2018.

The handicapper has also not been harsh on him, only putting him up 2lb.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mamba Wamba has a chance to capitalise on a more realistic assignment at Thirsk, after she ran respectably in the Queen Mary.

Adrian Nicholls’ youngster stayed on well to be beaten six lengths in eighth spot behind Campanelle.

She had finished second on her racecourse debut, and the extra furlong of the Harrogate Spring Water Supporting British Racing Novice Auction Stakes can see her get her head in front.

Magnetised won his only start as a two-year-old and can make a winning reappearance in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The colt led close home to land the spoils over seven furlongs at Doncaster in October. Judged on that display, he should appreciate the step up to a mile.

Jump fans are treated to the bet365 Summer Cup Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter.

The Listed event may not be worth as much as it usually is, but it still looks a decent race. It can fall to Doing Fine, who was fifth in 2019.

He has been absent since winning on New Year’s Day at Cheltenham - but trainer Neil Mulholland is sure to have him ready for this, and he has won after returning from a break in the past.

SOBOT’S SELECTIONS

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

AYR: 12.40 Captain Magnum, 1.10 Star Cracker, 1.40 Fortamour, 2.15 March Law (next best), 2.45 Northern Hope, 3.15 B Fifty Two, 3.45 Glasses Up, 4.15 Queen Mia.

THIRSK: 4.55 Lyons Lane, 5.30 Mamba Wamba, 6.00 The Grey Bay, 6.30 Moretti, 7.00 Magnetised, 7.30 One Idea, 8.00 Aiden’s Reward, 8.30 Broctune Red, 9.00 Kitty’s Cove.

UTTOXETER: 12.55 Dusty’s Choice, 1.25 Timoshenko, 1.55 Dariya, 2.30 Diodorus, 3.00 That’s A Given, 3.30 Doing Fine, 4.00 Building Bridges, 4.30 Wilberdragon, 5.05 Bonnie Golightly.

WINDSOR: 4.40 Perfect Sunrise, 5.15 Blue De Vega, 5.45 Unbutton, 6.15 Who Told Jo Jo, 6.45 RAKE’S PROGRESS (NAP), 7.15 Mr Wilton, 7.45 Settle Petal, 8.15 Taawfan, 8.45 Hot Summer.

A message from the Editor:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Thank you for reading this story on our website. These are challenging times but the team at the Yorkshire Evening Post need your support more than ever in the weeks ahead.

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Inevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty. So the support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with the city you live in during this time. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes- from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this and your continued support to the YEP will help to protect its viability in the days and weeks ahead.

For more details on our subscription offers please visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk/YEP, email [email protected] or call us on 0330 4033004

Thank you, Laura Collins, Editor

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.