Moone’s My Name is a name to look out for

In all, 68 horses have stood their ground from the 177 entries, including 13 in the opener, the Nick Bell Memorial Fund Maiden Stakes over seven furlongs. Although none of the runners have won, some have put in consistent performances, including Sole Danser from the Barry Hills yard, who finished third to Spes Nostra at Ayr two weeks ago.

However, Ralph Beckett’s Moone’s My Name, who was beaten a short head by Quadrant at Newbury before finishing third to Emilio Largo when odds-on at Salisbury last time out, may be the one to be on.

The trip is again seven furlongs in the second, the Join Today At rewards4racing.com Novice Auction Stakes, and all six of those that have run before have visited the winner’s enclosure.

Champion trainer Richard Hannon has selected Netley Marsh from his three entries and this March foal by Haafhd improved on his Kempton debut when beating Bajan Hero over six furlongs at Salisbury and should appreciate the extra distance here.

The £10,000 Aarca Sales Recruitment 10 Year Anniversary Handicap tops the bill and is restricted to three-year-olds only rated 61-80. This is a tight race to call, as there are only five pounds between the top and bottom weights in the nine-runner field.

Alan McCabe has his string in good form, with Eastern Hills his latest scorer at Southwell on Tuesday night and Close To The Edge may give him another winner here. This improving filly has run four times on turf this season, winning two of her three races at Pontefract and finishing runner-up to Barkston Ash over this course in May.

Close To The Edge has to carry a 6lb penalty for her latest win, which is one pound more than the handicapper has increased her official mark, so she will need to have improved, especially as Barkston Ash will again be in the field and receiving weight.

Keiren Fallon was the jockey in form at last Thursday’s meeting, taking the big race, the £30,000 Colliers International Rating Services Eternal Stakes, aboard Khor Sheed and then doubling up in the Eliza Doolittle After Racing On August 23rd Handicap on Ugo.

Khor Sheed had run well to finish second in a similar race at Nottingham last time out and appreciated the extra furlong here. She took a keen hold, but Fallon was able to cover her up in midfield and make his challenge entering the final furlong where Khor Sheed quickened clear of her rivals. Fallon was able to ease down towards the finish, the duo having plenty in hand of Sweetie Time at the line.

Ugo was also held up in midfield, but he found life a lot tougher in the closing stages, having to be driven into the lead with 75 yards to go and then just holding on to repel the late challenge of Amistress by a head.

It was an afternoon to forget, however, for the connections of Flying Applause, 9-2 second favourite for the Weatherbys Bloodstock Insurance Handicap as, after dumping jockey Jimmy Quinn, the horse galloped riderless twice around the course before being caught and withdrawn.