Take Atriptomilan

Best bet of the day at Uttoxeter is the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Atriptomilan in the 15:50, who has been underestimated by the 'tissue' compilers, and looks sure to show much improved form now tackling handicap company over fences for the first time. The O'Neill protocol is well established, and it's unusual for such a dark horse to slip through the net. Bought for £190,000 after winning a maiden Irish point on a sound surface, he's merely been marking time over hurdles for his new yard, and was given a very considerate introduction to chasing at Newton Abbot last time under Dominic Elsworth.

There's no doubt that if the name A. P. McCoy appeared alongside his name in the racecard, that bookmakers around the country would be running for cover, but it may be that the cynics are missing a trick here. The booking of Richie McLernon for a Jonjo runner when McCoy is available is invariably seen as a negative, and that's usually a valid point, but McLernon's role with the horses owned by Mr & Mrs Peter Bond needs to be taken into account. McLernon is heavily involved in sourcing and buying horses for the Bonds, and his other half is Harriet, their daughter. It's no surprise that he's ridden nearly five times as often for the owners than McCoy has in recent years, and he's the only jockey to have ridden a winner in Mrs Bond's now familiar Royal Blue silks in recent years, with Portofino Wasp a recent example.

So we've established that Atriptomilan is Richie McLernon's mount by default, and it's not hard to argue that he's potentially thrown in from an opening mark of 100, which is very lenient based on the manner of his point win from a subsequent bumper winner. In recent days, Jonjo has won races with American Legend, Whistling Senator, Bold Raider & Favoured Nation, all of whom were showing improved form for a switch away from easy ground, and with 2 of them wearing first-time headgear. Atriptomilan fits that profile almost perfectly, with cheekpieces and a tongue tie a new combination, and a ready-made reason for an improved performance.

At Worcester this evening, Dune Shine (19:55) looks a sound investment in the selling handicap hurdle which is big on numbers, but low on quality. The Karinga Bay gelding was backed as if defeat was out of the question at Newton Abbot in May, only to unseat when travelling ominously. He's been left on the same mark, and will surely go close to making amends in a race where his main market rivals look eminently beatable. Spice Hill has been thrashed in points for Tim Vaughan's brother William this year, and simply looks of little account, while Saga de Tercy blatantly downed tools at Hexham last time, and is one to avoid. The most interesting one against the favourite is Ali Brewer's Herminella, who was placed over C&D a year ago and has been set aside for a summer campaign.

She's only moderate, but the operation Brewer runs with her partner Sam Stronge has hit form in the last couple of weeks, and recent winners Meetings Man and Proud Times have both been revitalised since switching from bigger yards. The Castle Piece stable is one which will become increasingly familiar to punters in the coming months, but for now they are flying very much under the radar, and Herminella will be overpriced this evening.

Recommendations:

Back Atriptomilan @ [5.5] in the 15:50 Uttoxeter (NAP)

Back Dune Shine @ [3.8] & Herminella @ [19.0] in the 19:55 Worcester

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