Achilles Stakes a tempting option for speedy Makarova

WEEKEND RUNNERS

WHILE this is not so high profile a weekend as last, we may have fillies bidding for all-important black type in Listed races here and abroad.

I’m tempted to send Makarova back up to Haydock for the Achilles Stakes. Her last visit there a fortnight ago was a waste of time as she was drawn on the wrong side of the track and you can put a line through that.

She’s not a slow filly and dropping back to 5f is definitely an option for her. However, I’m worried the ground will be too quick so I’ll be keeping an eye on conditions.

Scenic ran really well when fifth in Listed company at Newbury last month - the handicapper certainly thought so as he put her up 9lb.

That is no real concern as her aim is to earn black type and she could make her next attempt in the Agnes Keyser Fillies’ Stakes at Goodwood on Sunday.

She has an alternative option in Sunday’s Prix Melisande at Longchamp, where Sea Of Thieves is entered in the Prix Volterra over a mile.

That filly was an impressive winner at Haydock last month and will be up to tackling Listed company in time. But it’s more likely for now that she’ll stay here and run in another novice event at Newbury next week.

The two-year-old Kitty Bennet could make her debut in the restricted fillies’ maiden at Chepstow on Saturday.

She’s a speedy sort by Cable Bay and goes quite nicely at home, although she’s a bit green and babyish.

MIDWEEK RUNNERS

LOOK out for a couple of progressive last-time-outwinning three-year-olds who should go close again on Friday evening.

I expect Zoukster to go well in the seven-furlong apprentice handicap at Goodwood, with Billy Loughnane booked for the ride.

He’s big, raw and babyish and did well to win over 6f at Salisbury last month. This longer trip won’t be an issue, especially at Goodwood, and a 6lb rise in the weights was fair enough.

It was good to see the unexposed Peony break her maiden at Wolverhampton and the fact she wasn’t doing a lot in front that day helped protect her mark.

I hope she’ll earn black type in time, which suggests she’s a well-handicapped filly. I’m more likely to run her over 6f at Haydock on Friday than over 7f there the next day.

However, Craggy Range will benefit from a step up in trip at Bath the same night as the track and trip was a bit sharp for him at Brighton, where he also got a bit squeezed for room. He seems fine on fast ground.

Dark Trooper should run a big race in the 7f handicap at Kempton on Wednesday, back on the allweather after missing an engagement at Ascot in April due to the soft ground.

He’s been freshened up with a decent break since a disappointing run at Wolverhampton and should go well.

The all-weather is also the surface for Sherood until the rain comes, with the turf so quick at the moment.

He was green on his debut and should take a big step forward on that form in the 7f novice here. He’s a big horse who’ll improve with racing.