Hot To Trot: Crisford's in fine form

Flat Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor (Click trainer’s name to view a full list of entries)

Saeed bin Suroor is seemingly coming into form at the perfect time, and has made a fine start to May so far, with 85% of his string running to form according to Timeform ratings.

The yard has several interesting entries over the next few days, including A Quiet Place, who holds entries in a maiden at Windsor on Monday and in a novice race at Beverley on Tuesday. A 300,000 guineas purchase as a yearling, A Quiet Place produced a promising first effort to finish second at Yarmouth last month, knowing her job well, and only being edged out in the final strides. She gave the firm impression that she would be able to win a similar race sooner rather than later, and appeals as the type to go on to bigger things later in the season.

Later in the week, the yard has a few entries for York’s Dante meeting on Wednesday, including Burj, who’s entered in a seven furlong handicap. Following a disappointing campaign at Meydan over the winter, Burj returned to form despite not looking at home at the track when finishing fourth at Newmarket last month, faring the best of those who raced towards the centre of the course. Admittedly, he’s highly tried for a three-year-old, but looks to be on a workable mark at the moment.

Finally, Dubai Tradition would be interesting if making his debut at Newmarket on Thursday. A half-brother to 3 winners, including smart 1m winner Flowrider and useful 9f winner Switching, Duabi Tradition makes plenty of appeal on paper, and any market confidence around the three-year-old would be significant.

Jumps Trainer: Harry Whittington

While the new Jumps season is very much in its infancy, Harry Whittington has picked up where he left off from last term and started the new campaign far faster than usual – something shown by the below graph.

Whittington has a select number of entries next week, with five, but several of those are interesting, beginning with Weapons Out, who’s due to make his hurling debut in a hot-looking novice contest at Ludlow on Sunday. A half-brother to seven winners, including the useful Doctor Deejay, Weapons Out is perhaps more of a long term prospect, but he was a consistent sort in his four bumper outings, and he could be one to keep an eye on now switched to hurdling – particularly when qualified for a mark.

On Monday, the dual-purpose Brandy James holds an entry on the Flat at Chepstow. A fair performer over hurdles, Brandy James has plausible excuses for his last two starts, not handling the fibresand at Southwell last time out, and he arrives here on a basement mark. He held his form pretty well over hurdles last season, and it would be no surprise should he go well on Monday.

Finally, Whittington has two entered in a bumper at Newton Abbot on Wednesday, Golden Grove and Shantou Vow. The first-named is best watched on his debut for all that his trainer has a good record in bumpers, but Shantou Vow looks an interesting prospect, having made a solid start to finish third at Huntingdon last week. He showed plenty to work with on debut, appealing as the type who’s capable of picking a similar race up in this sphere, and he would have strong claims if taking his chance.  

Under the Radar: Simon Crisford

Simon Crisford has a habit of coming into form in the early summer months, and he is once again on a roll at the moment – something shown by the graph below.

Crisford has a couple of interesting entries on Monday, in the form Maybe Today at Musselburgh and Kareena Kapoor at Windsor. The first-named is in good form at the moment, backing her win at Lingfield in March by finishing third at Epsom when returned to turf last time. Admittedly, she made hard work of things that day, but she's lurking on a good mark at the moment, and is worth another chance now switched to a more conventional track. Kareena Kapoor arrives at Windsor on the back of a success, having opened her account on the all-weather at Newcastle in January. She was value for extra that day, always looking in her comfort zone, and there should be more to come from her now switched into handicap company. 

On Tuesday, Local Affair is an interesting entry in a novice contest at Bath. A well-bred type (half-sister to 3 winners, including smart winner up to 1½m Al Saham), she offered something to work on when finishing fourth on her debut at Wolverhampton last month, looking in need of the run for fitness. With that opening run now under her belt, it would be no surprise should she take a big step forward sooner rather than later. 

Finally, Double Kodiac catches the eye in a seven furlong handicap at York on Wednesday. Having been gelded over the winter, he showed much improved form to finish second at Newmarket last month - for all that he was admittedly well-postitioned. He's bred to be useful, so it would be no surprise should he prove better than his opening mark of 85, and looks one to be interested in.