Turf Talk - Step up in trip at Lingfield should suit Immortal Beloved

Charlie Fellowes’ filly needed every yard of Sandown’s mile and six furlongs to break her duck on her third racecourse start and handicap debut.

It therefore makes obvious sense that she moves up to an extended two miles as she seeks to follow up. The three-year-old is taking on a field full of much more experienced campaigners, but is clearly unexposed and can take advantage of the weight she receives from all but one of her elders.

Immortal Beloved improved dramatically from her first to second start, having never got seriously involved when a distant sixth of eight on her Newmarket debut in early June but then beaten only a head in second at Haydock less than three weeks later. Those two efforts were over a mile and a half - and after she had stayed on so well in the second, Fellowes moved her up two furlongs at Sandown.

Victory there looked unlikely until she produced another telling late rattle, and this time reeled in an odds-on favourite by three-quarters of a length. That was a useful performance, and she should be ready to go again after a month’s break to recover.

If the extra distance brings about further improvement, as can be fairly anticipated, Immortal Beloved has a fine chance of the follow-up success.

Little Becky is another three-year-old filly who is stepping up in trip and may be able to double her winning tally in the opening Sky Sports Racing On Virgin 535 Fillies’ Handicap.

She was a debut winner over seven furlongs on Kempton’s Polytrack in October, and was then just outspeeded when runner-up over a mile at Yarmouth on her return for a first turf start in July.

The forecast easier ground here may well help keep her in touch, and the extra two furlongs seems sure to help.

Amtiyaz catches the eye in a field full of potential improvers for the Witheford Equine Barrier Trials At Lingfield Park Novice Stakes.

John Gosden’s colt was runner-up on his sole racecourse appearance, over 10 furlongs on the all-weather track here in early August.

The two-and-a-quarter-length winner that day had a significant experience edge, running for the third time and having already shown a decent level of novice form.

Amtiyaz is another understandably moving up in trip - by a furlong and a half in his case - and on the evidence of his slow start and strong finish on debut, the new distance looks spot on.

Bath’s highly-competitive eight-race card looks fiendish in places - but Bobby On The Beat and Veleta both offer hope for the punters.

Bobby On The Beat has a fine opportunity to make his experience count in the EBF Novice Median Auction Stakes.

Michael Bell’s juvenile has had to settle for second on his last two starts, having run with promise twice previously too.

An odds-on shot, who has won again since, was a length too good for him in a York nursery - and then he was headed only in the final stride when beaten a short-head by Nastase at Chepstow.

Down marginally in trip, with Cieren Fallon called up to assist for the first time, Bobby On The Beat should be on the premises.

Veleta had an unfortunate experience on her only previous visit here, back in mid-July, when she stumbled out of the stalls and was consequently never at the races.

Clive Cox’s filly has since performed with credit in third at Haydock, though, and can perhaps set the record straight in the visitbath.co.uk Handicap.

There is a potential star on show at Wolverhampton, where Faisal puts his unbeaten record on the line in the Free Daily Tips On attheraces.com Novice Stakes.

Serial record-breaker Hollie Doyle travels here, rather than to Lingfield for the same owner’s Amtiyaz, to continue her association with Faisal - who stormed to victory from well off the pace on his debut at the Surrey course almost a month ago.

It will be disappointing if the Golden Horn colt cannot defy his winner’s penalty.

SOBOT’S SELECTIONS

BATH: 2.00 Who Told Jo Jo, 2.30 Bobby On The Beat, 3.00 Veleta, 3.30 Arafi, 4.00 Sri Sene Power, 4.35 With Pleasure, 5.05 Arthalot, 5.40 Essgee Nics.

HEXHAM: 4.15 Nikgarde, 4.50 Slainte Mhor, 5.25 Hasankey, 6.00 Dee Star, 6.30 For Three, 7.00 Agentleman, 7.30 Motaraabet.

LINGFIELD: 2.10 Little Becky, 2.40 Amtiyaz (next best), 3.10 IMMORTAL BELOVED (NAP), 3.40 Asadjumeirah , 4.10 Silent Queen, 4.45 Gilt Edge, 5.15 Lippy Lady, 5.45 Mister Freeze.

UTTOXETER: 12.40 Apres Le Deluge, 1.15 Layerthorpe, 1.50 City Never Sleeps, 2.20 Silent Encore, 2.50 Hunting Percival, 3.20 Wishfull Dreaming, 3.50 Sid Hoodie, 4.25 San Agustin.

WOLVERHAMPTON: 4.30 Desert Vision, 5.00 Fresh Snow, 5.35 Harbour Vision, 6.10 Jungle Inthebungle, 6.45 Qaaraat, 7.15 Faisal, 7.45 Final Attack, 8.15 Chosen Star, 8.45 Nikolayeva.

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