Racing preview for Tuesday, July 12
Trained in Monmouthshire by the eminently capable David Evans, the four-year-old won this race by a nose last year under an astute Cathy Gannon ride.
His form has been patchy since then, but there is a very realistic argument to suggest Evans has had this extended one-mile-three-furlong affair in mind for quite a while.
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Hide AdDoctor Kehoe was uninspiring earlier in the year, but his recent run at Chepstow a fortnight ago was a little more like it.
The gelded son of Cockney Rebel finished fourth in a 12-furlong handicap, beaten two lengths by Bernisdale on soft ground - something that clearly holds no terrors.
Doctor Kehoe showed at Bath last year he is perfectly happy when it is much quicker, though, so he will be able to handle whatever Mother Nature throws at Somerset.
He runs here off just a 1lb higher mark than when he struck 12 months ago and must have every chance in an ordinary race.
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Hide AdAdiator can be trusted in the Weatherbys Hamilton Fillies’ Handicap at Thirsk’s evening meeting.
Neville Bycroft’s eight-year-old has gone over two years since she last visited the winner’s enclosure, but she is handicapped accordingly.
There were, too, the proverbial green shoots of recovery at Catterick a week ago when she finished second in a seven-furlong handicap.
That run must have especially reassured Bycroft as she seemed to thrive on what was her first stab over that trip for some time.
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Hide AdAdiator will always be susceptible to a younger horse, but this is hardly an epic race.
Her lowly mark - some 5lb lower than when she last won - is also further eroded by the reappointment of 7lb claimer Clifford Lee.
Relight My Fire has lots in his favour in the Start Your Racing UK Free Trial Handicap at Beverley.
* Selections:
Bath: 2.00 Irish Melody, 2.30 Free To Love, 3.05 Papa Luigi, 3.40 Pucon, 4.10 DOCTOR KEHOE (NAP), 4.45 Ballyfarsoon.
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Hide AdBeverley: 2.20 Perfect Symphony, 2.50 Compton River, 3.25 Zebelini, 4.00 St Michel, 4.30 Relight My Fire, 5.05 Final, 5.35 High On Light, 6.05 Engai.
Thirsk: 6.10 Sehayli, 6.40 Birrafun, 7.10 Correggio, 7.40 Primanora, 8.10 Wishing Well, 8.40 Adiator, 9.10 Bluff Crag.
Worcester: 6.00 Prince Khurram, 6.30 Tsar Alexandre, 7.00 Ballyknock Lad, 7.30 Willshebetrying, 8.00 Lets Hope So, 8.30 Venue, 9.00 Devon General.
Double: Doctor Kehoe and Adiator.