Bath and Kempton previews: Posh Bounty to turn on the style

The Roger Charlton trained gelding has shown steady improvement in five starts, and comes into the contest on the back of an eye-catching fourth to Shabbah at Sandown.

Banham unseated his rider on the way down to the start and, after showing plenty of pace to lead until the furlong marker, only weakened late on to be beaten 2 3/4 lengths off a rating of 72.

Given the three-year-old’s pre race antics it was an excellent effort, and the winner is now unbeaten in three starts this season.

The third home White Shaheen has also come out and won since to give the form a strong look, so off an unchanged mark Banham looks weighted to take all the beating in this less competitive affair.

Bath selections

18.00: Final Choice
18.30: Banham (NB)
19.00: Deepsand
19.30: Rainbow Dreamer
20.00: Burguillos
20.30: Kody Ridge
21.00: Posh Bounty (NAP)

Doctor Parkes weighted to deliver at Kempton

Doctor Parkes looks decent value to take advantage of a drop in the weights and land the 6f apprentice handicap that opens proceedings on this evening’s card at Kempton (18:10).

The Stuart Williams trained gelding won a class 4 contest over course and distance back in February off a mark of 77 has has since gone on to land a claimer at Lingfield.

Doctor Parkes also ran a cracker three starts back when a 2 3/4 length sixth of 21 in a competitive class 4 affair at Ascot off 78, and is now able to race in this lower grade class 5 contest off 74.

That gives the 10-year-old major claims at the weights and, although Doctor Parkes has not been at his best in his last two starts they have both been on the turf, the return to the polytrack surface is on which he has notched his last three successes is a big plus.

Doctor Parkes also goes well for young jockey Aaron Jones and, if getting the strong pace to aim at that he needs to be seen at his best, looks handicapped to get back to winning ways.

Taqaareed tough to beat

Trainer John Gosden does well with his runners at the track, and Taqaareed can build on a highly promising debut run to provide him with another winner in the 1m 4f maiden (18:40).

The Newmarket handler has a strike rate of just over 21 per cent at the venue in the last 12 months, and in Taqaareed has a filly who was a massive eye-catcher when fifth of 11 to Rocaverde in warm maiden at Sandown in April.

After dwelling at the start and losing stacks of ground, the three-year-old stayed on nicely from two out to be nearest at the finish at beaten four lengths.

Taqaareed was given a tender introduction by jockey Paul Hanagan and looks sure to come on a bundle for the experience.

It was an effort which suggested the beautifully bred daughter of Sea The Stars, who is a sister to the high-class Taghrooda, needing keeping firmly onside and Taqaareed can take this en route to better things.

Kempton selections

18.10: Doctor Parkes (NAP)
18.40: Taqaareed (NB)
19.10: Double Spin
19.40: Franco’s Secret
20.10: King Calypso
20.40: Pecking Order
21.10: Geoff Potts

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