Around The Tracks: A tip for each meeting on Saturday

Luccia - 12:15 Newbury

Luccia was unbeaten in two starts in bumpers and looked potentially something out of the ordinary when last seen winning a listed mares' event at Sandown in March. She was never far away on that occasion and just needed to be kept up to her work after quickening to lead entering the final two furlongs, ultimately landing the spoils by 17 lengths. Admittedly, that probably wasn't the strongest race of its type, but Luccia was clearly a class apart from her rivals and must be considered an exciting prospect for novice hurdles against her own sex. She's pitched straight in at listed level for her debut and is fancied to prove equal to the task on her way to bigger and better things.

Captain Quint - 12:30 Newcastle

Captain Quint is still totally unexposed and again looked a good prospect when making a winning chasing debut at Hexham earlier this month, his second win from just three starts under Rules. The most impressive aspect of that performance was the way he took the race by the scruff of the neck on the home turn, quickly asserting and always doing enough from there to win by a length and a half. Trained by Rose Dobbin, who has her team in rude health (69% of horses running to form), Captain Quint still looks one step ahead of the handicapper from a BHA mark of 120, with the step up in trip promising to suit if the stamina in his pedigree is anything to go by.

Tim Pat - 13:28 Bangor

Tim Pat made it two from two over fences with a comfortable victory at Haydock in March, already looking much better in this sphere than he was over hurdles. The official winning margin at Haydock was just a length, but he was value for extra having been asked to do little more than necessary to master the pacesetter after the last. It goes without saying that this will be tougher from an 8 lb higher mark, but it's highly unlikely that he's finished improving. Today's conditions will no hold fears for a horse who is proven in the mud and it looks an excellent opportunity for him to maintain his unbeaten record as a chaser if ready to go after eight months off (had wind surgery in the interim).

Imagine - 13:40 Gowran Park

Imagine lost his unbeaten record when upped in class for a Grade 3 novice event at Navan two weeks ago, but he still deserves plenty of credit for showing useful form on just his second start over hurdles, sticking to his task well to be beaten just three quarters of a length. That form comfortably sets the standard in this line-up and the small 'p' attached to his Timeform rating denotes that he is likely to progress further. Gordon Elliott won this contest 12 months ago with the smart Saint Felicien and this looks another good piece of placing with Imagine, who gets the vote to resume winning ways in what is likely to prove an informative contest once again.

Nothin To Ask - 14:22 Doncaster

Nothin To Ask proved a totally different proposition after seven months off when making a successful chasing debut at Chepstow last month, jumping soundly throughout and quickly having the race in safe keeping after taking over at the third last. He was eased close home and still won by six and a half lengths, making a mockery of a BHA mark of 118 on just his second start in a handicap of any description. He should improve again with that experience under his belt and an 8 lb rise in the weights probably won't be enough to stop him in his follow-up bid.

Beattie Is Back - 18:50 Wolverhampton

Beattie Is Back remains in good form and was unlucky not to finish closer when fifth on his most recent outing at Newcastle, very much catching the eye, in fact, having been seen to nothing like best effect. He travelled smoothly in mid-division but was short of room from two furlongs out, keeping on well once finally seeing some daylight inside the final furlong but never quite managing to get on terms. Beaten just two and a half lengths at the line, Beattie Is Back can line up from the same mark today and deserves another chance to prove himself a well-handicapped horse now stepping back up in trip to seven furlongs.