Croq of Gold?

Best bet at Bath on Sunday is Croquembouche in the 16:50. A thoroughly uncomplicated character, Ed de Giles' four-year-old landed a gamble over a mile here in June, and proved his stamina for today's trip with a battling victory at Windsor last time. On the face of it Croquembouche needs to improve again to defy a rise in the weights, but his genuine attitude will stand him in good stead, and several of his rivals have something to prove at present.

Ed de Gas has been the morning gamble, and is certainly well treated on the pick of his form, but has struggled on the whole this year. His latest effort was more encouraging, but he still didn't achieve a great deal in the end, and needs to step up, for all the handicapper has given him a chance. Tuscan Fun is another who has been backed to bounce back from a couple of poor efforts, but while blinkers could conceivably see her revived for a yard now back in form, the market is taking no chances with her.

Of the others, Derwent needs to improve for a first crack at ten furlongs, and while he has plenty of stamina in his pedigree, he's not been shaping as if screaming out for this trip, while Dandy is best when dominating, and won't get an easy lead here. A morning price of around 9/2 is more than fair for Croquembouche, but support for a couple of others may see him drift a little.

Robert Cowell's Reqaaba missed an intended engagement at the track yesterday, but it's intriguing that her yard landed that race with Maglietta Fina, and it appears that discretion was the better part of valour on that occasion. The daughter of Exceed And Excel made a winning debut for her new trainer at Windsor last time with a hood fitted, and she has been found an easier contest than yesterday's in which to follow up.

Space Artist is favourite, but had plenty in his favour when holding off Trinityelitedotcom at Chester last time, and may be vulnerable despite just a small rise for that success. He also went off the boil quickly after his last run, which is a worry, although probably best put down to his yard's mid-summer lull. I though Tom Dascombe's would shade the rematch, but both will need to improve to beat an on-son Reqaaba in my opinion.

Recommendations:

Both at Bath

Back Croquembouche @ [5.4] in the 16:50 (NAP)

Back Reqaaba @ [4.9] in the 17:20 (NB)