If Karl Burke’s Antrim can translate his dirt form from Meydan to the turf of Pontefract he could take all the beating in the RIU Hotels And Resorts Handicap on Tuesday.
The four-year-old, who switched to Spigot Lodge from John and Thady Gosden late last year, has had a busy winter, winning on his yard debut at Newcastle in December.
Another run at Gosforth Park followed before three starts in Dubai, where Antrim won a valuable handicap and concluded his stay with an appearance in a Group Two, all on dirt.
He could only finish eighth on his return to domestic action in the All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance Handicap, but he is match-fit compared to his rivals and can finally get his nose in front on grass.
Burke is also fancied to take out the Napoleons Casino Bradford Handicap with the lightly-raced Reciprocated.
The son of Havana Grey looked really smart after winning his first two career starts last season, but came up short in Listed and Group-race company on his next couple of appearances and signed off 2025 with a disappointing handicap debut in soft ground at Ayr.
He has been gelded during the off-season and with cheekpieces also applied for this in-form yard, he is fancied to bounce back on his reappearance.
At Yarmouth Brilliant Star can strike for the Gosdens in the Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Fillies’ Restricted Novice Stakes.
By Cracksman out of Star Catcher – two of owner-breeder Anthony Oppenheimer’s very best performers on the track – she was second on her only run at two.
As neither her mother or father were precocious themselves, she can be expected to take a big leap forward this year.
Argy Bhaji has to be of interest in the Seadell Shops & Chalets At Hemsby Handicap.
The three-year-old has been placed on each of his three starts in novice company on the all-weather and now makes his turf and handicap debut off what looks a very workable mark of 67.
Nicky Henderson is keen to give Crystal Island another run while he is still a novice and he should take all the beating in the South West Rail Solutions Ltd Novices’ Hurdle at Ffos Las.
A point-to-point winner, he was bought for £205,000 by the same connections who own top-class chaser Jango Baie.
He made his debut under rules at Ascot in December and despite racing a little green, stayed on powerfully for pressure after the last to win going away.
All the placed horses are now rated in the mid-120s so we have a decent gauge on the form and with normal progression for a Henderson horse taken as a given, he should be up to winning with a penalty. – Press Association
TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings on Tuesday. Here are the tips.
PONTEFRACT: Race 1: 14.42 Claret And Blues, Race 2: 15.17 Lady Youmzain, Race 3: 15.52 Reciprocated, Race 4: 16.27 ANTRIM (NAP), Race 5: 17.02 Hectic, Race 6: 17.32 Charlie Darling, Race 7: 18.05 Hidden Verse.
YARMOUTH: Race 1: 15.00 Siouxperb, Race 2: 15.35 Brilliant Star, Race 3: 16.10 King Of Berkshire, Race 4: 16.45 Caragio, Race 5: 17.20 Argy Bhaji, Race 6: 17.55 Dashing Dick, Race 7: 18.25 Ibiza Lights.
FFOS LAS: Race 1: 17.38 Crystal Island, Race 2: 18.12 Getaway King, Race 3: 18.42 Gaelic Rambler, Race 4: 19.12 Asta La Vista, Race 5: 19.42 Ahanaglogh, Race 6: 20.12 Largy Panic, Race 7: 20.42 Cumhacht.
WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1: 18.00 Final Appeal, Race 2: 18.30 Crown Inn To Win, Race 3: 19.00 Shalaa Asker, Race 4: 19.30 Rubellite, Race 5: 20.00 Daytona Lady, Race 6: 20.30 Faster Bee, Race 7: 21.00 Top Star, Race 8: 21.30 Karakula.
ALL TO COME: Antrim (Pontefract, Race 4) and Crystal Island (Ffos Las, Race 1).
This article was originally published on TAB and is reposted here with permission.
