Glittering can turn the corner for Stoute

By Stephen, bettingexpert.com | Edited 10:27 15.06.2012

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Sir Michael Stoute endured a torrid 2011 season, but the signs are more encouraging this term and his Glittering Gold is selected to land York's feature at 2.30.

This Neptune Investment Management Stakes traditionally attracts some very promising types for the £20,000 prize, and the Galileo colt appeared one to follow when readily getting off the mark at Folkestone 16 days ago. He had shaped with promise when sixth on debut at Newmarket and seems sure to progress with every run as he gains experience from a very lenient opening handicap mark.

Main danger comes from the unbeaten Valiant. William Haggas rarely has them fully tuned first time out so it made the debut effort of his scopey colt all the more impressive. He was very green when first asked to close in that decent maiden, (touched 25-1 in-running on betfair), but showed a smart turn of pace to assert from the furlong pole and fits into the "could be anything" category.

Eastern Destiny gets weight all round and has shown progressive form in four outings, winning a Thirsk maiden last August and landing a Ripon handicap in May, gamely beating the reliable marker Indepub by half a length. She is another that is likely to progress further and has race toughness in her favour if it becomes a slog on the eased ground.

Beaufort Twelve was a shock 33-1 winner of a warm 7f maiden at Newmarket on his only start as a juvenile and improved again when taking thirteen-runner Goodwood handicap (1m1f) by a short head from Silver Lime last month. That was a particularly strong contest and a small rise in the ratings seems unlikely to halt his progress, although giving weight away all round will not be easy as he steps up in grade further.

Silver Blaze was building a nice profile until a steady early gallop found him out at Musselburgh last time, and he is another interesting runner especially if the forecast rain arrives and eases conditions appreciably (proven in heavy while others have no experience of it).

Ahzeemah ran with credit when second to Main Sequence at Newmarket on his seasonal debut, and probably found the run coming too soon when disappointing at Doncaster just eight days later. However, he has managed just one Lingfield maiden win from six starts and it will be slightly suprising if he was good enough in this company.

In summary, a high class handicap where all six runners have claims. Glittering Gold has gone into notebooks the last twice and is fancied to improve further on this handicap debut. At around 3-1 this morning he is worth a win investment to assert late on under the excellent Ryan Moore.

Stephen's Friday Nap Fly Fisher 3.40 York

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