The first of five races is at 6.45 pm and the meeting is the half-way point of the season and racing is as competitive as ever, especially in low level handicaps.The feature race is the Superensis Handicap sponsored by Joan May, a strong supporter of Jersey racing.
Nine go to post for this nine furlong event with the Le Brocq family owned Minnie’s Mystery conceding weight all round.This versatile mare will take all the beating and justifies favouritism.
Colin McCready has a further three runners in the race, Time to Wyn, Criollo and Hush Money.Hush Money, winner of a similar race last time, is owned by Peter and Judy Bailey.
In receipt of over two stone from Minnie’s Mystery he may well be the biggest threat if a repeat of the last evening meeting’s form is in evidence.
Westward Racing’s Time to Wyn always finishes well and could produce a one, two, three for Colin McCready.However, the two to spoil this result are Leonora Truce and Van Gurp.
They finished second and third to Hush Money last time and the handicapper has now brought them together.
Leonora Truce has been extremely consistent and is more likely to battle for second place than Phil A’Court’s Van Gurp.The card opens with the Supporters Handicap Hurdle over two miles and one furlong.A very open race with last time winner Darmont among the five runners.
This 12-year-old French bred gelding, owned and trained by Joan Le Brocq, ran exceptionally well two weeks ago and may start favourite to follow up that success.On that occasion he received 18 lb from Mike Ephgrave’s Jaskini and won by six lengths.
Now in receipt of 14 lb the winning margin will be less.The two from Stephen Arthur’s yard are Susejebah and Casa Rosa.
The former last ran on Easter Monday and is not without a chance.
The latter, already a winner this year but disappointing last time, needs to be at her best to procure a second win.The novice in the field is Colin McCready’s Passing Strangers, having won a novice hurdle last year and the same race again this year.
Providing he has sharpened up his jumping he could be the one to produce an upset against more experienced rivals.The Rathbone Trust Handicap over one and three-quarter miles is headed in the weights by Compassionate, champion racehorse in 2001.
Not having run in 2002 he yet has to find his form this year and once he does it may only be a stable companion, Minnie’s Mystery, who can prevent a string of wins over middle distances.The three other principals comprise Mike Weaver’s Off Minor and Peter Edward’s, Bunny Roberts-owned Bold Enough and the partnership-owned Out on a Promise.
The latter won a similar race on 26 May at the attractive odds of 10/1.
Both Off Minor and Bold Enough are 6 and 8 lb better off respectively since that race and a tight finish can be expected.Six sprinters contest a low level handicap over seven furlongs sponsored by Newton Investment Management.
Stephen Arthur’s Highland Flight is most effective over five to six furlongs and providing she stays seven, will be the one to beat.Joan Le Brocq is represented by Arry Martin and Johayro and there is very little to choose between them.
The other with a chance is Montev Lady owned and trained by the Carré family.
David Cuthbert comes out of retirement to ride this filly and it would be a popular win by all concerned if the filly was successful.She put up two good performances at the start of the season and is not without a chance.Racing ends at 8.45 pm with the Abbey National Offshore Handicap over one and a quarter miles for horses in the lower half of the handicap.
The partnership owned and Alyson Malzard trained Warrior’s Path is clearly the improving sort, narrowly beating David Evans’ Countrywide Pride last time.Two who ran rather disappointingly in a similar race last time were Carouse and Palala River.
Both are capable of winning here with Lavender Racing’s Carouse slightly favoured.The trainer’s championship is wide open with Joan Le Brocq currently heading the table with five winners.
Stephen Arthur and Colin McCready are in close pursuit.
