Monday 9th June 2025
2.25 Brighton: Star Sports Brighton Owners Series Handicap: After what was a torrid weekend to say the least, we get things underway on a new week at Brighton with the 2.25, which is a Class 6 handicap that’s contested over five and a half furlongs. Pop Dancer heads the betting here and comes into the race in great form, and he’s an obvious player and will be tough to beat if he repeats the same level of form that we’ve seen him in as of late. He’s edging up the weights for his recent success, however, and I’ve come down on one at a slightly bigger price, and that’s Merrimack for Stuart Williams and Pat Cosgrave. He drops into Class 6 company for the first time in a year here, and he’s been victorious on his only other two starts within this grade. He finished a length and a quarter behind Spring Is Sprung at Newmarket in Class 4 company on his penultimate start off today’s mark, and a repeat of that level of form here should make him a huge player. Rebel Dancer and Big Time Rascal are other players here in a competitive small-field affair, as both horses ran well here last time out, with the latter being successful at a big price.
Merrimack – 11/4 (0.5pts Win)
2.57 Brighton: Star Sports We Believe In Bookmaking EBF Maiden Stakes: My second selection comes within the 2.57 at Brighton, and this is a Class 5 maiden that’s contested over five and a half furlongs. There could be a few half-decent ones lining up here, and it’s Dazzling Haze who I like for Simon & Ed Crisford, who’s set to be ridden by Harry Davies. She comes into the contest with a run under her belt, giving her that crucial race experience, and it was a good effort at Thirsk last time out, where she finished third of eight behind Revival Power. She possibly paid for being too close to what was a strong pace on that occasion, however, she should’ve learnt a great deal from that run and should naturally progress significantly here as a result. Mission Classified is another who has experience, having finished third of six last time out, and should come on for the run here. Newcomer London Boy could be interesting, as he represents top connections and is one to watch in the betting.
Dazzling Haze – 5/4 (1pt Win)
3.30 Brighton: Download The Star Sports App Classified Stakes: My third and final selection of the afternoon also comes from Brighton, and in the 3.30, which is a Class 6 Classified event that’s contested over a mile and four furlongs. This is an extremely competitive low-grade affair, with most of the field holding some form of chance on their best form from the past. I think it could be worth siding with Fascinating Lips though for Gary & Josh Moore, who’s the mount of Tom Queally. He’s not run badly on his previous two starts, beaten by just a couple of lengths in each of them, and steps back up in trip on this occasion. Most notably, he’s now down to a career-low mark, so if he’s unable to start to capitalise at this sort of level, it’s unlikely that he’ll ever be in the winner’s enclosure again. Previous course and distance winners Foinix and Fullforward would have a chance if bouncing back to form; however, like many here, their form is patchy to say the least. The most notable threat would have to be Irezumi for Jim Boyle and Pat Cosgrave, as he’s run well over course and distance on his last two starts, off the same mark.
Fascinating Lips – 9/4 (1pt Win)
