I ENVY Paul Hanagan. Today he has 12 booked rides: six at Thirsk this afternoon, then another six at Pontefract tonight. If I was off work I’d be off to both meetings. Sadly. I’ll have to keep an eye on the tellybox. There’s also a decent card at Ayr and the usual Monday night evening meeting at Windsor. Birkdale (2.20 Ayr) and Making Shapes (8.10 Pontefract) both look to have winning chances but I’m seeking a biggish priced each-way double today…

ROSE ACCLAIM (4.00 Ayr) hasn’t shown much in the way of solid form but there was a glimmer of promise last time and the penny might be dropping for this filly. Shelley Birkett, who has had a few winners for David O’Meara recently, takes off 3lb and she could run into a place if she takes another step forward today.

DARRELL RIVERS (5.15 Thirsk) is the other each-way dabble and has a similar profile to Rose Acclaim. i.e she has shown very little. However she was very badly hampered at Lingfield last time out when about to make her challenge and did show some promise on the all-weather as a juvenile. Giles Bravery sends her a long way from Newmarket to contest today’s class 6 handicap and she might be worth a look.

PS A class 6 handicap at Thirsk is a long way from the 2,000 Guineas but Fair Trade, who was 10^th of 19 behind Makfi in 2010, is still going strong. He is 35lb lower than his highest rating on the Flat so he may just be worth a watching brief under the excellent Shane Gray today at 4.45. Elsewhere AILSA ON MY MIND is highly regarded and I expect her to be well backed in the opener at Thirsk while THE WEE BARRA (2.45 Thirsk) may also outrun his odds.

Be lucky!