Deeds Better Than Words

Best bet on the day of Britain's final classic doesn't come at Doncaster, where the big race is something of a farrago in punting terms, but in the opener at Bath, where Mick Channon's Deeds Not Words can supplement a recent nursery win at Goodwood.

The son of Royal Applause proved most determined when holding off Expert last time, and the pair came clear of Memory Styx and Tableforten. With the runner-up and fourth going down only narrowly since (Expert in a 3-way go at Doncaster on Wednesday, and Tableforten beaten a nose in an Ascot nursery last Saturday), that form looks a bit better than it did at the time. The most taking aspect of his performance, though, was the resolution he showed when tackled by the runner-up, trading at a big price as it looked like the Hannon runner would ease past him, but digging in gamely to repel the favourite, and fully in command at the finish. I noted him at the time as one to keep on side, and don't intend to go back on my word.

Deeds Not Words is drawn to attack in stall 1 today, and I'm hoping that the official going description is accurate (currently good with a dry day forecast), as all his form has come on a sound surface. He'll get no easy lead here, but showed at Goodwood that he relishes a battle, and seems to be going the right way at present, and a 4 lb rise for his latest win is far from harsh.

In the mile-and-five handicap at 14:50, Michael Bell can strike with the progressive Bridgehampton. The Lando gelding showed a good attitude to nose out Sir Mark Prescott's Khotan at Yarmouth prior to finishing an excellent third to handicap blot Shwaiman at Doncaster last month, beaten just a short head for second by the thriving Brigadoon. The winner showed the worth of that form when a clear second in the prestigious Mallard Handicap at Doncaster yesterday, and Bridgehampton has nothing of that class to deal with here. His recent form has come on top of the ground, but as his breeding suggests, he's equally effective on an easy surface, and today's underfoot conditions are no issue in that regard.

Recommendations:

Both at Bath

Back Deeds Not Words @ [4.0] in the 14:15 (NAP)

Back Bridgehampton @ [6.8] in the 14:50 (NB)