The ultra-consistent Ebt’s Guard can get himself a richly-deserved victory in the Robin Hood Stakes at Nottingham on Wednesday.
Trained by William Muir and Chris Grassick, the gelding gave a good account of himself with a pair of fourth-placed finishes behind smart types Crown Board and Zavateri at Ascot and Goodwood respectively during a busy summer.
He followed that up with a bold showing in a valuable handicap at Doncaster at the St Leger Festival and that was followed with another creditable performance in the Balmoral Handicap on Champions Day back at Ascot when third.
He has spent most of his career competing with credit in the top handicaps but as he showed at Goodwood he can mix it with the best and he deserves to get his head in front.
Real Quartz will put his unbeaten record on the line at Newton Abbot and can make it three from three under rules in the Wollens Full Spectrum Law Handicap Hurdle.
Dan Skelton has been on fire lately and remains on course to break Martin Pipe’s record of winners in a season and Real Quartz is taken to make an immediate impact when he tackles handicap company for the first time.
The Soldier Of Fortune gelding won a point-to-point before following up with a pair of victories at Carlisle and Doncaster last winter.
He has been given an opening mark of 127 and despite a 319-day absence and a wind operation in the off-season, he looks the one to beat.
Mask Of Zorro can get his season off to the perfect start and get back to winning ways in the Sky Sports Racing Novices’ Handicap Chase.
He won four over hurdles last season and now goes chasing with his trainer Joe Tizzard in red-hot form.
Paul Nicholls is also chasing down one of Pipe’s records and he can take a step closer with It’s A Breeze in the Brewers Decorating Centres Albany Derby Female Jockeys’ Handicap Chase.
The Ditcheat maestro is within touching distance of Pipe’s all-time record over jumps.
Both of the son of Walk In The Park’s victories have come at the Devon track over the distance with a 4.5-length victory followed by a 10-length one in July and back down to mark of 106 he can be competitive in the more than capable hands of amateur Gina Andrews.
Scotto can maintain his unbeaten record in the Peterborough Chase 6 December 2026 Book Now Maiden Hurdle at Huntingdon.
The James Owen-trained five-year-old impressively won a Plumpton bumper in May before following up when holding off Masterius by a head at Market Rasen.
The hat-trick is there for the taking for the son of Sholokhov at the Cambridgeshire track on his hurdling debut. – Press Association
TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings on Wednesday. Here are the tips.
NOTTINGHAM: Race 1: 14.46 Dowman, Race 2: 15.16 Campenaerts, Race 3: 15.46 Fulcrum, Race 4: 16.16 EBT’S GUARD (NAP), Race 5: 16.46 Flash Of Colour, Race 6: 17.16 Maxident, Race 7: 17.46 Sweet Kiss.
HUNTINGDON: Race 1: 15.06 Jimmyjeroo, Race 2: 15.36 Scotto, Race 3: 16.06 Bella Civena, Race 4: 16.36 Zafaan, Race 5: 17.06 Zaraquelle, Race 6: 17.36 Nazare, Race 7: 18.06 Persian Art.
NEWTON ABBOT: Race 1: 15.21 Vango Can Go, Race 2: 15.51 Real Quartz, Race 3: 16.21 It’s A Breeze, Race 4: 16.51 All Well And Good, Race 5: 17.21 Opening Bid, Race 6: 17.51 Mask Of Zorro, Race 7: 18.21 The Gift Shop.
KEMPTON: Race 1: 18.15 Shielas Well, Race 2: 19.45 Girls Allowed, Race 3: 19.15 Crown The Future, Race 4: 19.45 Thespian Queen, Race 5: 20.15 Amarachi, Race 6: 20.45 Pure Mint, Race 7: 21.15 Arabian Summer, Race 8: 21.45 Star Time, Race 9: 22.15 Whitesnake.
ALL TO COME: Real Quartz (Newton Abbot, Race 2) and Ebt’s Guard (Nottingham, Race 4).
