3.40 Salisbury, Wednesday, June 27

In the Coors Molson Handicap (3.40) at Salisbury on Wednesday, Mr Top Hat has yet to win beyond 6 furlongs, but both his pedigree and style of racing suggest that stepping up to a mile won’t do him any harm. On his most recent outing, over the testing 7 furlongs at Sandown, he led at a good pace and, although readily held by the winner, Rum Runner, he kept on well to finish second, beaten 1¼ lengths. His previous form, over 6 furlongs at Leicester – another testing track – has worked out well, with the winner, Gabrial The Saint, far from disgraced in a hot 0-105 handicap at York and the second and fourth, Elnadim Star and Airshow, winning next time.

David Evans’ three-year-old steps back up to 0-100 level off a handicap mark 1lb higher than at Sandown but, while his sole win came on heavy going here last October, he appears fully effective on the prevailing good to firm going, so he must have a decent chance of regaining the winning thread. Jockey Fran Berry has a fair, if unspectacular, 11-52 (21%) strike rate on three-year-olds for the yard over the last five seasons, for a healthy level stakes profit of 25.25 points. Hopefully, the Kildarian can steer Mr Top Hat to a second course win.

Selection: Salisbury 3.40 Mr Top Hat to win 4/1

5.10 Leicester, Monday, June 4

Twin Appeal drops into this grade for the first time since winning, off a 4lb higher mark, at Wolverhampton over the winter and ran well enough in a gentleman amateur riders’ race at York last time to suggest his turn isn’t far away. In fact, David Barron’s 7-year-old is 10lb lower in the weights than when last winning on turf, at Musselburgh just over a year ago and, while he’s remained winless for 15 subsequent starts in that sphere, he’s undeniably well handicapped.
In the Betvictor’s £Priceup Builder Handicap (5.10) at Leicester on Monday,

Indeed, the Oratorio gelding was only beaten 1½ lengths in a 0-95 contest over course and distance last summer off a handicap mark of 91 so, with capable apprentice taking off a further 5lb, he must have an outstanding chance if anywhere near his best. He has winning form on good to firm going so, while he does appreciate a little ease in the ground, he should be effective enough on the prevailing good going to take advantage of a lenient handicap mark. His draw, in stall 11 of 17, isn’t the best, but the draw bias on the straight course at Leicester isn’t huge and he should give us a decent run for our money.

Selection: Leicester 5.10 Twin Appeal to win 11/2