Around The Tracks: A tip for each meeting on Saturday 1 April

By Timeform — published 31st March 2023

Timeform provide an Analyst Verdict tip for each of the six meetings due to take place in Britain and Ireland on Saturday.

The Grey Falco - 14:52 Stratford

The Grey Falco won a couple of times over hurdles for Alastair Ralph and he has shaped promisingly in a couple of starts over fences for this yard, failing to land good support but ridden too aggressively on his debut at Fontwell and faring much better reverted to more patient tactics at Southwell last time. He wasn't given an overly hard time of things, though, steadied into three and two out and finishing with running left at the line. The Grey Falco remains with potential as a chaser, is potentially very well treated (7 lb lower than his last winning mark over hurdles) and should be suited by this step up in trip. 

Sam's Express - 15:05 Bellewstown

Sam's Express showed his first form to open his account on his return from five months off and 2 lb out of the handicap at Dundalk in February and he progressed another chunk when following up dropped to five furlongs at the same track last time. He had no problem with the trip, last off the bridle and easily moving clear of his rivals under a hands-and-heels ride. The move back to turf hopefully won't be an issue and provided he is in the same sort of form he should take a fair bit of stopping. 

Lord of Kerak - 15:55 Uttoxeter

Lord of Kerak was easy to back on his return and debut over fences at Chepstow in January, his jumping not always fluent and unable to go with the principals from four out, leaving the impression he was in need of the run. He left that form well behind when runner-up at Wetherby 11 days ago, having every chance and still finding when making a mistake at the second-last. The winner that day is very progressive and that form is worth taking a positive view on, so Lord of Kerak is a strong fancy to go one better now racing from the same mark and representing a yard who remain in form. 

Poker Face - 16:10 Doncaster

Poker Face was seriously progressive last season, knowing what was required and landing good support when making a winning debut over a mile at Pontefract in September and improving a chunk when following up in a hot race under a penalty at Newcastle on his next start. He confirmed himself a smart performer when bolting up on his handicap debut over a mile and a quarter back at Pontefract on his final start, storming clear of his rivals in the final furlong. Poker Face drops back to a mile now but it looks an ideal starting place on his return to action and he is expected to maintain his unbeaten record before having his sights raised even further. 

Chantico - 17:00 Kempton

Chantico shaped well behind a smart type on his debut at Pontefract last season and, while he didn't progress as expected on his next start, he looked a much-improved model when opening his account at Lingfield a few weeks ago. He attracted good support on his return from five months off and never gave his backers much to worry about, always travelling well and looking better and better the further he went. The timefigure recorded also gives the form more substance and Chantico should have even more to offer now handicapping from what looks a potentially lenient mark. 

Iconic Moment - 19:00 Chelmsford

Iconic Moment continues to go from strength to strength, making it three wins from three starts when pulling the race from out of the fire on his return to action in a listed race at Lingfield four weeks ago. He was very strong in the market and, though he didn't need to improve much, he is worth marking up for that success given he had to come wide in the straight and made up plenty of ground. This will be his first try beyond seven furlongs but, given how strongly he stayed on last time, this longer trip is well worth exploring.