Notes and Angles: A tip for Chelmsford and five horses for your tracker

I’m really looking forward to the Cazoo Derby and both days from Epsom on Friday and Saturday but I’ve little interest in putting up any early bets given ground conditions are very much up in the air looking at the weather forecast.

I’m hoping no further rain arrives and the meeting takes place on something close to good ground (good to soft at the time of writing on Wednesday evening).

Neither the Derby nor the Oaks appeal as strong betting races for me at this stage, but I’m hoping to find a bet or two elsewhere over the two days once conditions become clearer and one bet I am likely to have is on David Simcock’s Mascapone, who was put up in this column as a tracker horse following a promising debut in the Brocklesby.

Very green that day, he looked a sure-fire improver next time and though not seen since, a change of owner and trainer may well be the reason for that and with his debut form having worked out and a step up in trip likely to suit I think he should be favourite for this. I would be happy to back him at anything north of 6-4.

Onto the latest suggested additions to the tracker, and here are five horses I think are up to winning within their next few runs granted the right test.

At the risk of him becoming a cliff horse, I’m going to put Dancinginthewoods into this column for the second time this season.

Anyone who stuck Dean Ivory’s five-year-old in their tracker following his eye-catching return at Newmarket may well have given up on him after a couple of subsequent defeats but he hasn’t had the rub of the green on either occasion and remains a horse to be interested in off his current mark.

Fourth at Haydock last week, he travelled better than anything through the race but not for the first time this season found himself running up several blind alleys as he looked for a way through. Crossing the line with more to give, he looks to be in great form at the moment and the 1lb drop in the weights handed out for this luckless run looks generous for this already well-treated gelding. I’m keeping the faith and I'll be particularly interested in him if getting a chance in what looks likely to be a well-run race.

Paul Midgley has an excellent record of getting horses with form over further to thrive when coming back in trip and the move to bring Elegant Erin back to the minimum distance this term has been inspired.

Two from two this term, she followed up her Beverley reappearance win with another success at Carlisle last week and looks one to keep on side following a 5lbs rise, especially when kept to races confined to her own sex.

Sampers Seven was progressive during 2020 having joined Mick Appleby from Ireland but missed the whole of last season due to injury and her owners have had to be patient in getting her back to the track.

That patience may soon be rewarded if her promising return to action at Haydock is anything to go by and, though the handicapper has taken a swipe with a 5lbs rise, I think she’s well able to defy that when getting a real test of speed.

This very fast mare showed all of her speed was intact as she led the field for most of the way before being worn down late by an improving sort in Sound Reason. That form looks very solid (fast time and front two pulled clear) and I think she should be up to going close next time if found the right opportunity.

Although she’s won there, I’ve never thought Catterick is Key Look’s ideal track - especially on quick ground - but I thought she looked right back at the top of her game when fifth over seven furlongs there last Tuesday. Beaten four lengths, she finished with plenty left in the tank as she was switched out to the centre following a troubled passage against the far rail.

Dropped a 1lb for the run, she’s well handicapped now and shouldn’t be long in taking advantage for Geoff Harker, especially if found a race at Thirsk where she’s run well on a few occasions previously.

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## LAKOTA BLUE

Sioux Nation has made an excellent start to his stallion career and should be adding another winner to his tally soon courtesy of Lakota Blue.

Very green on debut at Ripon, he took a big step forward when second at Haydock in what looked a decent maiden. No match for the cosy winner, he just held the runner-up berth from another likely future winner in Sound Pressure and, with a nice gap back to the remainder, shaped like a horse who would improve again when tackling an extra furlong.

Well up to winning a maiden or a novice, he appeals as one to keep going the right way in nurseries and could be set for a good season for Nigel Tinkler.

A trio of last-time out winners led the field home in the three-year-old handicap over a mile won by Roxzoff at Sandown last week and, with all three of those looking open to further progression - plus a few of those in behind looking feasibly handicapped - I think the race will throw up a good number of winners in the weeks ahead.

Roxzoff is proving a prolific winner and this defeat of unpenalised Kempton winner Two Tempting represents a career-best. The handicapper hasn’t got carried away though and a 6lbs rise is fair enough so he has every chance of winning again, while Two Tempting is proving very consistent and should remain competitive. Third home Sip And Smile is going the right way and looks to have more to offer, while the fourth Be Lucky My Son improved by the run last year and is entitled to take a step forward for this reappearance. If he does, he’ll go close next time. Super Lover has a pedigree that suggests a mark of 78 should be workable and this fifth on handicap debut can be improved upon, while the sixth Ar El Bee kept on from the back and should improve when up in trip. I think he’ll have a productive season and, if I had to follow just one horse from the race, it would be him. I think he’s definitely one to add to your tracker.