Turf Talk: Easterby hoping to cheer Rapid Applause to back-to-back victories

Mick Easterby can toast back-to-back victories with Rapid Applause when he goes for gold at Musselburgh.
Trainer Mick Easterby at his yard near Sheriff Hutton. PIC: Gary LongbottomTrainer Mick Easterby at his yard near Sheriff Hutton. PIC: Gary Longbottom
Trainer Mick Easterby at his yard near Sheriff Hutton. PIC: Gary Longbottom

The Sheriff Hutton handler was caught unawares by the six-year-old at Beverley last week when he absolutely bolted up in a five-furlong handicap.

Easterby did not expect Rapid Applause to win on the Westwood, but win he did as the former Irish resident stormed home by nearly two lengths.

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The manner in which that race was competed aided Rapid Applause in no uncertain terms, but perhaps more compelling was the fact jockey Nathan Evans never once needed to get serious.

Gilded Hour's trainer, Ralph Beckett.Gilded Hour's trainer, Ralph Beckett.
Gilded Hour's trainer, Ralph Beckett.

Rapid Applause must shoulder a 6lb penalty in this five-furlong handicap, but that still gives him the look of a very-well-treated horse as he was rated as highly as 110 in what has so far been a nomadic career.

Gilded Hour looks interesting in the seven-furlong fillies’ handicap at Chepstow.

Ralph Beckett’s three-year-old makes her handicap debut on a mark of 76, but she might be a wee bit better than that. After all, she showed flashes of ability as a juvenile, having finished in the money at Kempton and at Doncaster, and was hardly disgraced at the first-named venue upon her return to the fray.

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Gilded Hour was beaten four lengths into third in a seven-furlong novice stakes on April 18, but that was a pretty hot affair as the winner, Il Primo Sole, looks sharp for the John Gosden team. And with runner-up Major Partnership, who was considered good enough to be given an entry in the Dante, no slouch, either, Gilded Hour’s performance deserves to be upgraded.

She was also too keen for her own good at Kempton, so jockey Oisin Murphy will be desperate to get her nice and relaxed in what is a weaker race.

Arctic Sea can be trusted to run with purpose in a one-mile handicap at Lingfield.

Paul Cole’s inmate has been in fair form this year, but he has not quite convinced that he is at his best over a mile and a quarter.

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A return to running over this shorter distance, over which he has won twice, might just do for him.

Photographer is an interesting runner for Gosden at Newcastle in the 10-furlong novice stakes.

Winner of his only start at two, this half-brother to Coronet holds entries in the Dante and the Derby.

TURF TALK TIPS

CHEPSTOW: 2.00 Bombero, 2.30 Ishallak, 3.00 Gilded Hour (next best), 3.30 Tallow, 4.00 Grand Acclaim, 4.30 Desert Ace, 5.00 Fitzwilly.

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CHELTENHAM: 4.55 Monsieur Gibraltar, 5.30 Fortune Bound, 6.05 Bally River Boy, 6.40 Abricot De L’Oasis, 7.15 Palmaria, 7.50 Unioniste, 8.25 Mr Mercurial.

LINGFIELD: 1.50 Philba, 2.20 Appenzeller, 2.50 Lashabeeh, 3.20 Branscombe, 3.50 Arctic Sea (treble), 4.20 Waneen, 4.50 Storm Again.

MUSSELBURGH: 2.10 Deep Intrigue, 2.40 RAPID APPLAUSE (NAP), 3.10 Kodicat, 3.40 Montague, 4.10 Royal Cosmic, 4.40 Trading Point, 5.15 Adventureman.

NEWCASTLE: 5.10 Photographer, 5.45 Karawaan, 6.20 Highwayman, 6.55 Brian Ryan, 7.30 Custard The Dragon, 8.05 Tigerwolf, 8.40 Cherry Oak.

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