At The Races

Competitive maiden handicap. EXCEED EXPECTATION has improved with every start and should continue to do so stepped up in trip from gate No 1 - horse to beat. LEGITIMISE concedes weight to all but wouldn't be winning out of turn after several near misses. FULL HOUSE has improved nicely racing around the turn and should make further progress - poses a threat. DO SI DO gets weight from all under a claiming apprentice and has drawn nicely, so could trouble the boys. AUGUSTA GREEN appears best of the rest.

• Top Tip: LEGITIMISE (1)
• Watch out for: EXCEED EXPECTATION (2)

CASA INVERNO bounced back to winning ways at this level against her own sex on her return to the Cape last time, so clearly enjoys it in the province. She takes on the boys under 3-point penalty but gets 1.5kg taken off her back - player. INTREPID fluffed his lines in a useful 2yo race when last seen. He has been gelded since and should have more to offer as a 3yo - contender. MASKED VIGILANTE lost his unbeaten record when returning from a rest in a 3yo feature over 1200m last time, when showing pace before tiring - this drop in distance with improved fitness may suit. FIGHTER and PERSISTANCE have claims.

• Top Tip: CASA INVERNO (1)
• Watch out for: INTREPID (2)

Tricky. FATEFUL has found his niche racing over 1000m under Craig Bantam. He finished ahead of SKIDOO last time and is weighted to confirm that form. The latter had finished a close-up 2nd behind re-opposing MR COBBS and renews rivalry on 2kg better terms, so should turn the tables. SPRING AWAKENING and APOLLO ACE are more than capable on their day so cannot be discounted. CAPTAIN DIZZY has been given some relief by the handicapper and gets 1.5kg taken off the back, so could also get involved. Good race!

• Top Tip: MR COBBS (1)
• Watch out for: SKIDOO (2)

MALEDIMO last won as a 2yo but acquitted herself well during her 3yo campaign in strong races over further. She has ability but concedes weight to all after a lengthy layoff - one to keep an eye on. GAYLEACTIC STAR returns from a rest too but has run well fresh and boasts consistent form statistics. Exciting KWINTA'S LIGHT may lack fitness after a rest but her class could pull her through - follow. FUSILLADE and SILVER SABRE are above average and have scope to improve, so must be taken seriously - the former is distance suited, likely to pose a threat. OHWHATANIGHT and GILLIAN ANNE can feature.

• Top Tip: GAYLEACTIC STAR (2)
• Watch out for: FUSILLADE (3)

Wide open. Promising SANTA MARIA should enjoy reverting to a sprint and, if fit after a break, is likely to be competitive despite conceding weight to all. Fellow 3yo WINTER MOSAIC is also progressive and distance suited but worth opposing from an unfavourably wide draw. It could pay to follow LILLYBELLE who impressed when winning on debut after a slow start - could be anything. FEARLESS TRIP, LOUIS' DIAMOND and IMPRESSIVE QUEEN have all run well out the maidens and are capable of building on that. GRAND PRINCESS, VERONIQUE and SNOW DRAGON are among the others who could stake a claim too. Tricky!

• Top Tip: SANTA MARIA (1)
• Watch out for: WINTER MOSAIC (2)

Good race. NEVER ENDING RAIN was returning from a rest and gelding when running on strongly over course and distance to take 2nd behind re-opposing DEBONAIR last time. Both ought to have improved since but the former will strip fitter and is 1.5kg better off so should turn the tables. Stable companion HAN SOLO caught the eye on his local introduction over a shorter trip and on that evidence, should make his presence felt stepped up in trip. Familiar foes JAIMALA and ALINGALONGA can stake claims too, with preference for the former from a better draw.

• Top Tip: JAIMALA (1)
• Watch out for: ALINGALONGA (2)

Good race, featuring a number of fillies and mares with feature-race (Black Type) ambitions. Stablemates OUR PRIZED JEWEL and PINK TOURMALINE are capable sorts but lost their consistency prior to a break - chance on best form. MARMALISA fluffed her lines in an Eastern Cape feature last time but can be forgiven that effort. She too is capable of better and must be respected on her return from a 10-week break. SO FLAWLESS ran on to finish 2nd when returning from a break last time and would've tightened up - one to beat. MISS MILLSTREAM and CRUSADE'S PROMISE are closely matched on that form.

• Top Tip: OUR PRIZED JEWEL (1)
• Watch out for: MARMALISA (2)

A race in which several promising 3yo fillies will be tested by their elders. Regally bred AMANZIMTOTI has a big reputation and is an early Fillies Guineas candidate, so would need to have improved during a break to realise those ambitions - follow. Hat-trick seeking QUEEN OF SHADOWS and stablemate BYE BYE BOMBSHELL may have that Grade 1 on their agenda too, so must be respected - the former is likely to benefit from recent race fitness. Varsfontein's fillies GREENGROWTHELILACS and FORRIES FOREVER are likely improver who could make their presence felt. WINTER SCOUT and MISS SMARTY PANTS could get a look in too.

• Top Tip: AMANZIMTOTI (4)
• Watch out for: QUEEN OF SHADOWS (5)