Beverley 15:50
There is a small field of just six for this conditions stakes over five furlongs, but it does have some very useful runners in it.
Ornate, trained by Robert Cowell, is on a mark of 107 and he has been in decent form this summer. He won two conditions stakes in a row in July and August, before finishing a creditable fourth in a Listed race at Newmarket. He was far too keen last time out in softer conditions at Leicester and I do wonder if today's ground will be a little too soft for him. He hasn't won on anything softer than good so it is definitely taking a chance expecting him to be at his best with this much give underfoot.
Alpha Delphini is also rated 107 and has won here at Beverley twice in the past. He is good enough to have contested five Group races so far this year (two of them Group 1's), and although he hasn't won any of them he was only five lengths behind the brilliant Lady Aurelia at Royal Ascot. He is another one where there have to be doubts about him coping with the softer conditions as he hasn't raced on this soft a surface before. He has run reasonably well on good to soft a couple of times before so that perhaps gives some encouragement.
Line Of Reason is the top weight here and ran a good race at Newbury at the weekend after being slowly away. He was staying on in a manner that suggested he could have got involved with a clean break and as that was a Group 3 he commands respect. He does have to carry ten pounds more than Alpha Delphini which at the weights looks an incredibly tough ask.
Edward Lewis is trained by David O'Meara and he has a good long-term record here at Beverley, as does jockey Daniel Tudhope. Edward Lewis was second in a useful looking handicap at York last time out on good to soft going and he looks suited to the softer conditions. He also has a bit to prove at the weights but his liking for conditions definitely gives him a chance.
Elysian Flyer is the only runner in the field to have actually won on soft going, however, he is rated a full 30 pounds lower than both Ornate and Alpha Delphini so it would be a surprise to see him involved in this one.
Champions League
It is the second round of matches in the Champions League tomorrow and I have put together an accumulator that looks to have a chance at a big price.
Today's selections
Beverley 15:50 - Alphi Delphini - 3 points @ 11/8
Champions League ACCA - Spurs, Leipzig, Real, City, Monaco, Napoli, Sevilla & Liverpool - 1/2 point @ 40.32 (Bet365)