In the first race over 1200m Escovitch has the form to win over an ideal trip, although the wide draw is a concern especially considering he has hung in badly to his right in his last three starts. Muzi Yeni will have his work cut out to keep him straight in the dash for home, so it would be no surprise to see him using his good gatespeed and early pace to try and find the rail in front. Newyorkstateofmind improved with second time blinkers last time over 1200m around the turn at the Vaal. However, the concern is the slow time and this was excacerbated by the way the leader easily found extra when Newyorkstateofmind moved up to challenge. Majix returns to the distance of his best run but has a wide draw to overcome.  Perpetual Silence has shown signs of ability but hasn’t raced since finishing distressed after a 1200m event last October at Turffontein. Winter Is Coming has found betting support before so must show a lot, but he is yet to place in three starts and has a wide draw to overcome.

In the second race over 1600m, Trinity Hall will relish the step up in trip and will be running on strongly after likely being dropped out from a wide draw. Courageous King was caught  bit wide last time over 1400m but still went close, beating a running on Trinity Hall, and in previous runs has been seen to be staying on over this trip. Osuna is the dark horse as a big, rangy sort who is returning from a layoff over a trip short of his optimum and he has done well over this trip before. Portman Square took well to first-time blinkers over 1400m last time when going handy, while he has a good draw for a change and Delpech is an eyecatching booking, and he should be thereabouts over a trip he has run some fair eaces in before albeit when running on from behind. Naked Truth has a chance if reproducing his best over this course and distance.

In the third over 1600m Willowgrange stayed on well over this trip last time and can do so again here after perhaps being dropped out from a wide draw. Enlightenment did well last time over this trip at Scottsville considering she was caught wide from a high draw and if finding cover under Delpech here from another high draw she should go close. Maggie Muggins was green on debut over 1400m, but was staying on and will appreciate the step up in trip. Streets Of Gold over raced with cheek pieces on when not disgraced the last time she tried this course and distance, so is interesting with the cheek pieces off. Ginger Quill hasn’t raced since the end of March but on form can be involved if overcoming a wide draw. L’Attitude, Back In Town and Secret Garden also have place chances on best form in this open race.

In the fourth over 2000m Avast is quite exposed but has been knocking on the door and, as an honest horse drawn well over a suitable trip with Delpech retaining the ride, she should go close.  Black Flower has his first run after being bought out of the Sean Tarry yard and as a big staying type is interesting with first time blinkers on and Anton Marcus up. Delilah is usually slow away and stays on so is interesting with first time blinkers on, although the wide draw is a concern.

In the fifth over 1400m Dynamic Force moved up well in his first try at this course and distance and Delpech, who won on him before that over 1200m, is back aboard albeit from a tough draw. Buster Brown is capable of running on strongly and is only one point higher than his last win over course and distance so should go close from a good draw. Black Tractor should enjoy the step up in trip and from a good draw off a competitive merit rating has a fine chance with Marcus up. Tipo Tinto is capable of running on well and Khumalo will likely drop him out from a tricky draw. Roy’s Air Force is well regarded and has a four point reduced merit rating and a 4kg claimer up, but a wide draw is a concern for a horse who tends to over race. Surrey goes well for apprentice Ngwane and can’t be ignored.

In the sixth over 1400m, Wandie’s won well last time over 1600m at Scottsville and looks capable of overcoming a four point merit rated raise from a good draw, having gone close over this course and distance in her penultimate start. Off Ramp will be running on strongly from a wide draw under Delpech. Bella Miesque has dropped to an attractive merit rating and is drawn in pole over an ideal course and distance. Pearl Emblem has a chance over a trip she handles with an accomplished 4kg claimer up. Royalsecuritybaby has a form chance over a suitable trip from a good draw. Silver Inspiration can’t be ignored either.

In the seventh over 1400m Breakfast Club’s maiden win over 1600m has been franked and he looks to have a reasonable merit rating. Roy’s Saint also caught the eye winning his maiden over course and distance and should be involved from a good draw. Argo’s Jet just failed over course and distance last time and will be running on again off a one point higher merit rating with the same 4kg claimer up.

In the eighth over 1400m Diamond League looks a fair sort who should be improving and is interesting with first time blinkers on over a suitable trip from pole position. Alzerra is not too reliable but at her best has a good chance. Brave And Bold, Durban Blues and Mogokity can’t be ignored either.

In the ninth over 1000m Mr McSteamy has dropped to a competitive merit rating and has Marcus up over the course and distance of his facile maiden win. Vampirella has often caught the eye and was only beaten by the bob of a head last time over course and distance so can go close again from another good draw off just a one point higher mark. Y’retheone returns from a three month suspension for epistaxis but has talent and the Charles Laird yard always have them fit enough.

David Thiselton