Saturday selections

Just two Flat races beyond 12 furlongs on Saturday - Goodwood's Toyo Tires Summer Stakes at 2.35 and the Glenridding Handicap at Thirsk (4.45).

Three have previous NH form in the Goodwood race - Sentry Duty, Investissement and Woolfall Treasure. I tipped up Investissement for this year's Northumberland Plate but the gelding ran out of steam up Newcastle's long home straight; having previously won here over this shorter trip, John Gosden's charge, formerly with Evan Williams, remains of interest. Fallon is booked for the ride on Sentry Duty - in the Weekender the jock says Nicky Hendserson's charge 'would have a decent each-way chance' but I always think Sentry Duty shows his best form with cut underfoot. Woolfall Treasure made a belated seasonal reappearance in the John Smith's Silver Cup at York three weeks ago. That day he went off at odds of 66/1; this course and distance winner looks sure to come on for that run but is probably best watched here. In the tissue Investissement is priced  at 14/1 and would merit each-way support at that price. Of the other runners Petara Bay, owned by Bernie Ecclestone, caught the eye when a staying-on fourth in the Northumberland Plate at 40/1 - the gelding is unlikely to start that price on Saturday.

At Thirsk 10 of the12 runners have previous NH form. Top weight Los Nadis, rated 126 over hurdles, looks to be returning to form and is of interest; having said that, no favourite has taken this in the past seven renewals.  Bulwark has been off the track for 20 months and Into The Light reamins a maiden but Andorn merits respect with a win strike rate of 25%. Gary Moore's team is in decent form - two run here - but if Los Nadis turns up with his A game, he should be thereabouts. Suggestion - Los Nadis.                  

Down came the rain...

Walking around Coventry city centre earlier today, I felt like an extra on the set of Bladerunner. I kid you not, the RNLI were collecting. Enlightened self-interest prompted me to make a small donation; there's a fair chance I could need their services in the next few hours.

Saturday's card at Thirsk has already been called off. Both Haydock and Stratford are subject to 7.00am inspections tomorrow. I had planned to take the family for a picnic at Stratford; that idea looks a bit of a washout now.

Heavy rain at Leopardstown has put their card in jeopardy. Officials are also exploring the possibility of moving the meeting to Sunday. Whatever happens, the likelihood is that Duke Of Marmalade, set to clash again with New Approach, will be withdrawn.

Paco Boy is entered in the Prix Du Moulin at Longchamp on Sunday. I'll be interested to see how he fares at a mile after his impressive win over seven furlongs in the Hungerford; Henythenavigator is the obvious form choice.