Shades of Grey to continue on the upgrade

By Stephen, bettingexpert.com | Edited 09:02 07.08.2012

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Clive Cox's progressive Shades of Grey has hit peak form in the past few weeks and is fancied to land a hat-trick in the Tracy Fillies' Handicap at 5.00.

The 5-y-o mare won two decent Newbury handicaps in deep ground early in July, finishing strongly to assert in the closing stages having travelled up best on the bridle. She now features on a career high mark and conditions are forecast to be on the fast side at Beth this afternoon, however she has winning form last season on good to firm ground and Adam Kirby is back in the saddle replacing the apprentice Ryan Tate.

Main danger for the £6,300 prize money comes from Hughie Morrison's Dark Gale. The 4-y-o filly has yet to win in eight races, but has been quite highly tried on a number of occasions, and should relish this drop in class after finishing a creditable seventh in a warm Haydock handicap 17 days ago. She showed when runner-up at Newmarket behind the improving Kian's Delight that this mark is well within her compass, and the faster ground will suit her smooth going style under Darryl Holland.

Reset City is another maiden, currently still winless after 12 career runs, but she too has shaped that her turn is near recently. At Epsom last time she was unable to match the progressive Arashi in the final furlong, but still ran to a decent level in a four length second and is entitled to be thereabouts again.

Sula Two revelled in very deep ground when winning two amateur riders races in June, (the first by an incredible 15L at Newbury), but has been sunk without trace since as conditions have improved and is now firmly in the grip of the handicapper, while Asterales looked as though a very busy season had finally caught up with her at Hamilton last time out, and needs a 40 day break to revive her fortunes stepping up in class.

In summary, a tight handicap that concerns three in form performers. Shades of Grey is the one that actually wins races and can defy a big hike in the weights against rivals that sometimes find less than expected off the bridle. At around 5-2 this morning she is worth a decent win investment to assert late on with her customary turn of foot.

Stephen's Tuesday Nap Medicoe 2.20 Catterick

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