Thursday 30 January 2020 11:03, UK
Anita Chambers previews all Thursday's action in the UK and Ireland, with Lyric Ballad fancied.
Lyric Ballad can bounce back to winning form as she tackles the Jockey Club Grassroots Middle Distance Series Final at Warwick on Thursday.
Hughie Morrison's charge was on a bit of a roll earlier in the year, notching back-to-back successes at Sandown and Salisbury in May and June to shoot up 14lb in the ratings.
However, she failed to make it a hat-trick when beaten into third at Leicester in July, after which she was given a bit of a break before returning to action in the middle of last month.
That run did not exactly go to plan, though, as racing off a career-high mark of 77, Lyric Ballad looked unsuited by the heavy going at Sandown that day.
She made a promising move two furlongs from home but perhaps the combination of the testing conditions and a lack of a recent run contributed to her lack of a finishing spurt.
Nevertheless, Lyric Ballad clung on for third and back on quicker ground here, she should be in the frame.
Marjong appeared an unlucky loser at Epsom last time but compensation awaits in the Jockey Club Grassroots Sprint Series Final.
A winner over course and distance in August, Marjong then went on to Epsom in the middle of last month with her rider dropping her out towards the back and hoping for a clear run up the rail.
However, that passage never appeared and switched to challenge, the delay cost her valuable momentum and she eventually fell short by three-quarters of a length.
The handicapper clearly thought she would have won as he raised her 2lb in defeat but even off her highest mark to date, Simon Dow's three-year-old looks eminently capable.
Chatez can be a rare juvenile winner for Alan King in the "Breeders Backing Racing" EBF Maiden Stakes after finishing a promising third on his racecourse bow.
Miss Atomic Bomb was another to show up well on her public debut and can go one better in the British Stallion Studs EBF Median Auction Maiden Stakes at Wolverhampton.
She went down by just a neck that day to a more experienced rival and the outing is sure to bring her on a good deal.
Upper Grosvenor can follow up his recent Kempton win in the Follow Us On Twitter @Southwell_Races Handicap at the Nottinghamshire track.
Roger Varian's charge returned from a long lay off with victory in an all-weather maiden, looking excellent value for the official length-and-a-quarter verdict.
Pippa Greene is the choice for Nicky Henderson in the Wrexham Lager Handicap Hurdle at Bangor, while Dispour merits close attention in the opener.
A winner on the level in France, Donald McCain's recruit makes his British bow in the Rippleffect Juvenile Hurdle.
BANGOR: 2.20 Dispour, 2.50 Jimbill, 3.20 Pippa Greene, 3.50 Lucky Landing, 4.20 Great Oak, 4.50 Cloud Brook.
CLONMEL: 2.45 The Mooch, 3.15 Ram, 3.45 Silver Tassie, 4.15 Derrylea Girl, 4.45 Lord Ben, 5.15 Fiery Oscar, 5.45 Goldboy.
SOUTHWELL: 2.00 Putin, 2.30 Helamis, 3.00 Master Wizard, 3.30 Brave Imp, 4.00 Britain, 4.30 Poppy Bond, 5.00 Upper Grosvenor, 5.30 Final Delivery.
WARWICK: 2.10 Well Owd Mon, 2.40 Outback Traveller, 3.10 Maiden Approach, 3.40 This Is The Day, 4.10 Chatez, 4.40 LYRIC BALLAD (NAP), 5.10 Marjong, 5.45 Astorgs Galaxy.
WOLVERHAMPTON: 5.40 Shyron, 6.10 Hoppy's Flyer, 6.40 Miss Atomic Bomb, 7.10 Threave, 7.40 Hickster, 8.10 Incendo, 8.40 Let Me In, 9.10 Lambert Pen.
DOUBLE: Lyric Ballad and Marjong.
