BLITHE SPIRIT MAY BE HARD TO CATCH

BLITHE SPIRIT MAY BE HARD TO CATCH

The telephone line has been very profitable over the past two weeks – over a hundred units to the good both times, even taking the shortest prices on offer. Things were nicely rounded off on Friday when Tim Easterby’s Midnight Malibu won the last at Ascot at 11/2 (7/1 available) with Graham Gibbons a very significant booking, given that David Barron had a runner in the race.

The wind has been taken out of my sails to a degree because Richard Fahey is not running Right Touch in the International Stakes on Saturday. It means I have no strong thoughts about the race, though Suzi’s Connoisseur loves these flat-out handicaps at Ascot and Irish challenger Don’t Bother Me will appreciate the fast ground.

Postponed looked a good thing in the big race and, in his absence, I shall not be trying to look for some each-way value on the first two. Dartmouth has improved but the race is not a betting medium now.

Running through the other cards, the very fast filly BLITHE SPIRIT may get well clear in the 4.00 at Chester. Veteran Secret Asset did us a very good turn at Sandown the other night but it will be harder to keep tabs on the leader this time.

We went for Richard Fahey’s DAVID’S DUCHESS at Newmarket last week and she looked good coming to the final furlong, only to be swallowed up by Charlie Hills’ filly, who must be very nearly Listed class as she was conceding 20lb. It’s only six furlongs at Newmarket this time and David’s Duchess is 4lb out of the handicap but she is quite lightly raced and I’m inclined to stay with her.

The banker for many will be Roger Charlton’s TIME TEST in the Sky Bet York Stakes, of course, and I would not put you off him. The problem, needless to say, will be the price. He is a genuine Group 1 horse in a Group 2 event and really should win this with something in hand if he is to prove a force in the Juddmonte International over course and distance next month. Do not wade in early on Saturday. Make sure the thunderstorms miss the Knavesmire because Time Test needs fast ground. If he gets it, he looks one of the bets of the season if you can bear the odds-on.

LEXINGTON ABBEY will be rather more attractively priced in the Sky Bet Dash which follows. He has always looked an Ayr Gold cup type to me but you can’t ignore sprint handicaps with £50,000 guaranteed in the pot and he should appreciate the return to six after failing narrowly over five at Ascot. Pat Smullen retains the ride and that is significant. Unfortunately I shall have to back two because David O’Meara’s INTISAAB has hit form and is a big danger. The booking of Shelley Birkett is a big compliment to her and the 3lb allowance may be highly significant.

You would go bust, backing THE WEE CHIEF every time he runs but he quite likes the stiff six at Salisbury and may represent fair each-way value in the 6.20 if all eight stand their ground and Dane O’Neill tucks him away.