ASCOT LIME looked a very progressive colt when losing his maiden tag at Sandown last month and though subsequently beaten he should get back on the winning trail in the Dalby Screw-Driver Handicap at Pontefract today.
Sir Michael Stoute's colt had shown plenty of promise before his trip to Esher and he duly landed a tough-looking handicap off a mark of 77.
The handicapper raised him 7lb for that victory but it wasn't the extra impost that beat him on his next s
tart at Kempton where he found the slightly longer trip, the polytrack surface, and a very useful opponent in Ajhar, just too much for him.
The handicapper was again suitably impressed and has put him up another 5lb and today's rivals are certainly no slouches but Ascot Lime is an improving three-year-old who looks just the type to do really well next season.
The world and his mother appeared to know that Arganil was the proverbial 'good thing' at Beverley last week and Kevin Ryan's gelding gave his supporters not a moment's concern as he made all for a very impressive success.
The Hambleton-based handler is making hay while the sun shines with the three-year-old who quickly reappears under his penalty in the Rifles Cup Handicap.
Arganil gave notice of his progress when making most of the running to land a maiden at Hamilton before his success on the Westwood. The double was completed from a mark of 72 and, despite a 6lbs penalty today he is still officially the same amount 'well in' as the handicapper has raised him to 84. Ryan had little option but to run the horse quickly he should be rewarded.
Hayley Turner has been getting more publicity than most jockeys this season which is hardly surprising given her very upwardly mobile profile. Recent victories for some of the country's best-known trainers have catapulted the likeable youngster into the limelight and she can continue the theme for Luca Cumani today.
Caster Sugar looked to be crying out for a longer trip when runner-up over 7f at Folkestone last time and the mile of The Best Horse Racing Sky Channel Fillies' Nursery Handicap looks promising.
Hearthstead Maison and Tranquil Tiger lit up a damp and gloomy afternoon at Goodwood as the pair dead-heated for first place in a thrilling finish to the Listed Foundation Stakes.
Tranquil Tiger had opened up a mammoth lead under Tom Queally and was 11 lengths clear, but tired to allow champion jockey-elect Ryan Moore back in on Hearthstead Maison to share the honours.
TODAY'S BESTDUKE'S DOUBLEBremen (3.40 Fontwell) and Ascot Lime (4.30 Pontefract), nap
DUKE'S TREBLEArganil (4.00 Pontefract), Bremen and Ascot Lime
JULIUS'S DOUBLESafari Journey (2.20 Perth) and Strong Rebel (5.20 Perth), nap .
FORMNAPFranc Villez (2.50 Perth).
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