Eleven runners are due to to post for the Listed John Musker Fillies’ Stakes on Wednesday afternoon, the feature event on the second day of Yarmouth’s valuable September meeting, and while several have already got form in the book at this level and above, the still-improving handicapper Titi Makfi (3.50) could well have the beating of them.
Mark Johnston’s filly did not start out on her three-year-old season until June, when she won a 0-70 handicap at Hamilton off 70 by four lengths. She moved smoothly through the weights with subsequent victories off 76, 82 and 86 and finally 93, showing a battling attitude in the finish whenever challenged, and while she went down by a short-head off 97 on her latest start at York in late August, the strength of the opposition was such that it could be marked down as yet another step forward in the level of her form.
Wednesday’s assignment is another rung up the ladder, but Titi Makfi has stopped the clock in an excellent time on her last two outings, goes well with some cut in the ground and may not have quite as many opponents to worry about as the numbers might suggest. Jessica Harrington’s Beautiful Morning, for instance, is an interesting contender from Ireland having finished second in a Group Two last time out, but she has not won since her maiden in August 2015 and has been beaten at Listed level three times in the past.
Equitation (5.55) won with something to spare at Doncaster last time out and starts out handicapping on what look like a very fair mark, while his stable companion at the Roger Varian yard, Zabeel Prince (4.55) is another handicap debutant with plenty to recommend him.
D’Bai (3.05) does not need to improve to take the day’s other Listed event, the Fortune Stakes at Sandown Park, while the lightly-raced Makkadangdang (4.15) could outrun his double-figure price on the same card and Dirchill (4.00) and Bohernagore (5.30) look best at Beverley and Kelso respectively.
Wednesday’s tips
Yarmouth 2.10 Herdwick 2.45 Dream Warrior 3.15 Seyasah 3.50 Titi Makfi (nap) 4.25 Rotherwick 4.55 Zabeel Prince 5.25 Orient Class 5.55 Equitation (nb)
Beverley 1.50 Danehill Desert 2.20 Ruysh 2.55 Apple Anni 3.25 Bolder Bob 4.00 Dirchill 4.35 Angel’s Whisper 5.05 Hellomoto 5.35 Pitch High
Sandown Park 1.30 Operative 2.00 First Eleven 2.35 Il Primo Sole 3.05 D’Bai 3.40 Dynamic 4.15 Makkadangdang 4.45 Flood Defence 5.15 Dubaitwentytwenty
Kelso 4.30 Sweet Holly 5.00 Red Giant 5.30 Bohernagore 6.00 Muwalla 6.30 Prince Khurram 7.00 Senor Lombardy
