Remain faithful for the Maiden Stakes over six furlongs at Southwell today. The distance should be ideal and a long-awaited success is very much on the cards. Punters eventually get fed up with "gonnas" (always going to!) but where mares are concerned, it's a question of being patient. Consistency usually brings reward and Faithful Duchess is time-handicap best-in, on the back of several efforts. Only four days ago, this Bachelor Duke fillly was beaten a length into third, behind Two Certainties and Spirit Of Dixie, over the minimum trip at Dunstall Park.
She needs further and her action suggests fibresand will suit ideally. Both Laser Ruby (disappointing last time!) and Sally's Swansong are obvious dangers but there isn't another, which means Faithful Duchess merits the tag "professional special" each-way bet, with three places on offer. Don't miss out! David Nicholls-trained Sir Geoffrey hasn't raced on the "deep stuff" but is fancied to retrieve recent losses, in the totequadpot Handicap over five furlongs but you can bet, he'll act on it!
Dandy is recognised as the sprint king and from time, has sent a bundle from his Thirsk stables to work on this unique surface. It's not such a problem nowadays. Nicholls now has a satellite base within two miles! Sir Geoffrey has improved and though both Grudge and Sloop Johnb are bound to be on the premises, they will be hard-pressed to beat my selection, one ?of three Nicholls' decs in this dash, incidentally. Another local trainer, veteran Roy Bowring will be fancying West End Lad to follow up a recent Wolverhampton romp in the aged mile handicap. This course and distance winner finally gained reward for consistency last month and apparently, the Lad is in tremendous nick.
