Beckett’s Divide to conquer at Bath

By Ashley Iveson, Press Association

There are some promising types on show in the British EBF Future Stayers’ Novice Stakes at Bath and one who definitely falls into that bracket is Divide And Conquer.

A 320,000 guineas yearling purchase on behalf of owners Victorious Forever, the Camelot filly was favourite to make a winning start to her career at Ascot, suggesting she had been showing trainer Ralph Beckett plenty at home.

She was narrowly beaten by the more experienced Clarity in Berkshire, but that experience will not have been lost on her and another bold bid looks assured.

South Shore is expected to continue his good run of form in the Free Tips On attheraces.com Handicap.

The son of Blue Point has been a model of consistency since joining Robert Cowell earlier this season, winning three times and finishing second three times in six starts.

He was value for more than the winning margin of three-quarters of a length at Sandown a month ago and can defy a 5lb rise in the hands of Tom Marquand.

Star Cast can make a winning return to Ayr in the Nairns’s Oatcakes Handicap.

The four-year-old is enjoying an excellent campaign for North Yorkshire-based trainer Gemma Tutty, with his course and distance win here in June supplemented by further victories at Chester, Ripon and three on the all-weather at Newcastle.

He has shot up from a lowly mark of 56 to his current rating of 80 since the start of the year, but he has run well enough in defeat in his last couple of races to suggest there are more races to be won with him on his favoured soft ground.

Abduction will not be winning out of turn if he can strike gold in the Autumn Breaks At Western House Hotel Handicap.

Jim Goldie’s charge has been running well without quite managing to get his head in front all summer, most recently placing third over six furlongs at Hamilton.

He was beaten just a nose over this seven furlongs on his latest visit to Ayr and running off the same mark of 74 under 5lb claimer Jake Dickson, Abduction looks sure to go close again if he handles this more testing terrain.

Arundel should make it two wins in six days for Ed Dunlop and Billy Loughnane in the Free Race Replays On attheraces.com Handicap at Wolverhampton, while the presence of the Willie Mullins-trained Whitewinewednesday is clearly of significance over the jumps at Sedgefield.

In truth the seven-year-old has not shown a great deal either for her former trainer or when pulled up on her first start for the all-conquering Closutton team, although she was reported to be in season following her most recent effort.

Record-breaking amateur Patrick Mullins continues his quest to ride a winner at every National Hunt track in Britain, and the fact this mare is the chosen candidate for his first ever ride in County Durham suggests she is expected to be up to the job in the Fairlight Studios Cafe @ Sedgefield Racecourse Handicap Hurdle.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

BATH: Race 1: 15.02 Decalogue, Race 2: 15.32 Society Girl, Race 3: 16.02 Rating, Race 4: 16.32

DIVIDE AND CONQUER (NAP), Race 5: 17.02 South Shore, Race 6: 17.35 Past Passion, Race 7: 18.07 Silver Wraith, Race 8: 18.37 Army Bugler.

AYR: Race 1: 15.08 Kindest Nation, Race 2: 15.38 Naval Architect, Race 3: 16.08 Star Cast, Race 4: 16.38 Abduction, Race 5: 17.08 Milford Grange, Race 6: 17.40 Big Harry, Race 7: 18.13 Furhaan.

SEDGEFIELD: Race 1: 15.15 Jolie Coeur Allen, Race 2: 15.45 Jerseygeordie, Race 3: 16.15 Tanking Along, Race 4: 16.45 Whitewinewednesday, Race 5: 17.15 Dream Diamond, Race 6: 17.45 Red Shea.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1: 17.30 Read All About It, Race 2: 18.00 Arundel, Race 3: 18.30 Battlefield Boy, Race 4: 19.00 Dark Mandate, Race 5: 19.30 Gilded Call, Race 6: 20.00 Rye, Race 7: 20.30 Nature, Race 8: 21.00 Kev, Race 9: 21.30 African Spirit.

DOUBLE: Divide And Conquer and South Shore (Bath, Races 4 and 5).

For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab.co.za