Turf Talk: Step up to a mile likely to suit Zefferino at Haydock

Second on his racecourse bow at Newmarket last August, Roger Charlton’s charge was then not beaten too far in conditions company and was duly sent off favourite at Wolverhampton last November.

However, he could finish only fourth on that occasion after striking out for home far too early and the lessons were learnt as Zefferino was ridden with a bit more restraint on his return at Lingfield last month.

While the Frankel colt took a bit of time to really hit top gear, he assumed control of the race inside the last of seven furlongs and looked a fairly comfortable length-and-a-half winner of what was only an average race. An initial mark of 83 seems fair enough and the step up to a mile here seems likely to suit on pedigree.

Merlin sidestepped a run at a very wet Wetherby last week but can make up for lost time in the Racing UK HD Handicap.

He dropped down slightly from a mile to win with ease over six furlongs at Nottingham last time, but Michael Bell pushes him back up to seven furlongs.

That can hardly be a negative, though, as he has shown enough stamina to place over a mile previously, so Merlin must be one for the short list.

Ross Raith Rover seems to enjoy a trip to the seaside and he can strike gold once again in the Follow Us On Facebook At Yarmouth Racecourse Handicap.

Robert Eddery has sent him to the track for his last two outings, yielding a third and a victory, so it is easy to see why he would want to stick to a winning formula.

He was beaten far on that first effort, but clearly stepped up on that a bit to win by a head last time, with the margin of victory limiting the handicapper to a 3lb rise.

TURF TALK TIPS

HAMILTON: 5.55 Concur, 6.25 Tough Remedy, 6.55 Schmooze, 7.25 Desert Ace, 7.55 Hellavashock, 8.25 Hee Haw, 8.55 Cheeni.

HAYDOCK: 2.00 New Society, 2.30 Dathanna, 3.00 ZEFFERINO (NAP), 3.30 Sharja Bridge, 4.00 Merlin, 4.30 First Voyage, 5.00 Flowers Will Bloom.

KEMPTON: 6.10 Easy Code, 6.40 Sparkalot, 7.10 Petitioner, 7.40 Bonnie Arlene, 8.10 Yaraki, 8.40 Twin Point, 9.10 Mr Lando.

WORCESTER: 2.20 Cry Fury, 2.50 Bronco Billy, 3.20 Nuclear, 3.50 Marvellous Monty, 4.20 Nicely Indeed, 4.50 Archie Rice, 5.20 Phangio.

YARMOUTH: 2.10 May Girl, 2.40 Hope Is High, 3.10 Beyond Recall (next best), 3.40 Goadby, 4.10 Sayem, 4.40 Ross Raith Rover, 5.10 Lunar Deity.