Thursday Tips
Anita Chambers says Elik can shed her maiden tag in style with victory at Goodwood on Thursday. She has a tip for every UK race.
By Anita Chambers. Last Updated: May 22, 2013 7:38pm
Goodwood: Stages the Height Of Fashion
Elik can shed her maiden tag in style with victory in the Listed Height of Fashion Stakes at Goodwood on Thursday.
This race, which used to be known as the Lupe Stakes, looks an ideal opportunity for Sir Michael Stoute's filly as she has been making significant progress with every outing so far.
Hailing from a stout family, Elik never really appealed as a juvenile prospect but she was not disgraced in two outings before being given a winter break.
Pitched back into action in a Wolverhampton maiden last month, she ran into one too good in Woodland Aria, a filly who was capable enough to finish third in the Musidora at York last week.
Stoute took a more moderate approach with his inmate, though, and opted to line up in the Cheshire Oaks but Elik did not enjoy the best of trips, being bumped a furlong out, before staying on well to claim fourth.
She was only beaten three lengths by winner Banoffee that day and a similar performance would certainly put her on the premises here.
Mysterial can make a winning bow in handicap company in the Winner Plant UK Stakes.
He took his time to break his maiden, finally coming good at the fifth attempt when fitted with blinkers at Warwick last month.
The headgear certainly seemed to focus his mind on the task and can do the job once again here.
Sleeping Giant was a bit disappointing on his racecourse bow at Chepstow but should be wiser for the experience in the 32Red Maiden Stakes at Haydock.
Formerly trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre, he did not run as a juvenile and looked sure to improve for a switch up in trip when unable to quicken over 10 furlongs at his first attempt.
Bondesire made a promising start when third on her return and she can build on that effort in the 32Red Casino Handicap.
Ogbourne Downs looks to have a nice future ahead of him judged on his debut win at Windsor and he starts on the handicap path at Sandown.
Charlie Hills' runner emerged on top in a tight maiden event last month and is pitched in off a mark of 79 in the Waterloo Handicap.
That does not look too harsh on the face of it and Ogbourne Downs could well line up in better company later in the year.
Nateeja should go close in the Bathwick Tyres Bournemouth Handicap at Salisbury, while Jack The Gent is the choice in Wetherby's Yorkshire Post Ladies Evening - 30th May Novices' Chase.
CLONMEL: 5.55 Half Moon, 6.25 Castletimon, 6.55 Sweet Refusal, 7.25 The Black Devil, 8.00 Zemario, 8.30 Sulki Rose, 9.00 Tikka Light.
GOODWOOD: 2.00 Ihtimal, 2.35 Mysterial, 3.10 The Confessor, 3.45 ELIK (NAP), 4.20 Danvilla, 4.55 Maria Montez.
HAYDOCK: 2.20 Sleeping Giant, 2.55 Reflect, 3.30 Bunker, 4.05 Dubai Hills, 4.40 Bondesire, 5.15 Delightful Sleep.
SALISBURY: 6.10 Mystique Rider, 6.40 Basle, 7.15 Ramata, 7.45 Porcini, 8.20 Nateeja, 8.50 Jan De Heem.
SANDOWN: 6.00 Wind Fire, 6.30 Khotan, 7.05 Ogbourne Downs, 7.35 Theodore Gericault, 8.10 Excellent Result, 8.40 Magique.
WETHERBY: 2.10 Granwood, 2.45 County Zen, 3.20 Jack The Gent, 3.55 Akula, 4.30 De Boitron, 5.05 Halifax, 5.40 Definitely Glad.
DOUBLE: Elik and Mysterial.
