The highest rated race tonight is the sixth, a MR 74 Handicap over 1800m, and it is ultra competitive. Big Bird is 15 points lower than his last winning mark on turf and is drawn well over a trip and surface he should enjoy.

Big Bird (Nkosi Hlophe)

Mr Royal has shown some good form over this sort of course and distance and took to blinkers well last time, so from pole position draw for an in form yard he has a chance. Pearly King has always struck as better than his form suggests, but was often head strong, so now that he has become more settled and is low in the ratings he could follow up on his recent win. He was ridden by an apprentice having his first ride around the turn last time and ran wide into the straight so that run can probably be ignored and he now has a more experienced 2,5kg claimer up.

His stablemate Priceless Gem is in good form and has a better draw than he did last time when running on well from near last over course and distance for a close second. Black Jaguar has run on well over 1600m on the poly before so is interesting stepped up to this trip. Discourse was 0,35 lengths behind Priceless Gem last time when racing a touch wide, but he now has an even wider draw. Sean Cormack has remained aboard Roy’s Jet so has to be considered despite needing to improve on form.

On My Wits Alone was a touch disappointing last time but he is now re-united with Sean Veale who won a maiden easily aboard him over course and distance before that. Silver Spring is a disappointing sort and the handicapper isn’t being too kind to him, but he did beat Priceless Gem over 1900m on turf in his last start so can’t be ignored. Emblem Royale also comes out better than Priceless Gem on their last meeting on the poly, but that was over 1600m and to date he has failed when stepped up in trip. The horses are selected in the order mentioned.

The first race over 1000m forms the first leg of the bipot. Varlotone has a 2,5kg claimer up and with second time blinkers from a good draw she could be the one to beat as she has shown pace before. Dark Rose stumbled at the start over course and distance last time but still managed to stay on for third. Ginger Biscuit is costly to follow but has a chance if fulfilling her potential. Roy’s Angel hasn’t been disgraced and could improve.

In the second race Anasa was slow away and then ran all over the course on debut at Scottsville, but was doing good work late and she is the one to beat from a good draw with Anthony Delpech up.

In the third Supreme Power was given a nine point raise for his last win but on his best Cape form he still has a fine chance of defying the handicapper. Legend Fighter was a bit outpaced in the straight over 1200m last time before staying on strongly so he should love the extra 200m here. Hat-trick-seeking Nitro Nori is in fine form over course and distance and as one that has always potentially been better than this level, he should be right there.

Beautiful Jet (Nkosi Hlophe)

In the fourth race White Christmas showed ability on debut over 1200m before plugging on when appearing to be outpaced throughout over 1400m last time and he should relish this trip on pedigree. Roy’s Flyer is an obvious form contender in this weak field. Fairtrade wasn’t disgraced over 1200m last time and should enjoy the step up in trip.

The fifth is another weak race, but Bev’s Baby has some fair poly form over this sort of trip and is the one to beat with Cormack up.

In the seventh Beautiful Jet returns to the course and distance of her fine penultimate run. She ran on well from a long way back then and nearly got up, so her wide draw is not too much of a concern although she would like a fair pace. Saint Camille is a half-sister to Serissa and could set the fractions. She has some fair poly form in the maidens and fought back to just fail over 1400m the last time she ran on it, which suggested she should stay this trip. Queen Eliza also has to be considered.

In the last race Cape Vesta was most unlucky over this 1600m trip in her penultimate start on turf and could get it right here as she is only 0,5kg under sufferance. Rachel Leigh has been knocking on the door off this merit rating and is well drawn.

At Scottsville the eye catching sort Snowman returns to action in the seventh race over the 1600m course and distance of his unlucky defeat at the end of December. This is definitely a horse to follow.