Falconidae should reward Peter Makin's patience with victory at Sandown tonight. The fast-improving three-year-old missed two tempting engagements last weekend as conditions were not reckoned to be ideal either time.
But everything will be right for him in the Entrepreneurs Stakes. Firmish going is perfect for a top-of-the-ground specialist, whose come-from-behind style is ideally suited to this very stiff seven-furlong course.
And Falconidae is very favourably treated at the weights, with only 9st 3lb to carry.
He has shown promise on every outing this term, and confirmed himself a useful performer in the making on his handicap debut at Bath early this month.
Given a lot to do, he had to be switched to challenge on the wide outside of the field yet was still able to come through to lead inside the final 200 yards for a comfortable half-length win.
It is impossible to know how far he might have won with a clearer run that day.
Suffice to say that Falconidae should have enough in reserve to defy a 4lb rise in the weights. Copyforce Girl will be well suited by the step up to a mile and three quarters in the following Global Equity Handicap.
Though the Brooke Sanders-trained filly ran well when placed in mile-and-a-half races on her last two starts, she was beaten for finishing speed each time and will benefit considerably from a stiffer test of stamina.
Best bet at Catterick is Flak Jacket, who is one to keep on your side now that he has finally hit form.
Having taken time to find his feet after joining David Nicholls this season, he signalled that he has now fully reacclimatised with a most emphatic four-length win at Pontefract last Friday.
A 6lb penalty in the Halifax Handicap leaves the speedy sort still on a lower mark than when he started this season and he should not be hard pressed to follow up.
Hamatara looks reasonably treated on his handicap debut in the nursery at Leicester.
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