Up a bit, down a bit - 11th May

STP Construction Handicap - Class 5 - 6f - Newcastle - Good To Firm
Eric Alston's Barkston Ash scored here in convincing fashion by an easy 3 lengths and as a result he has been raised 9lb to a mark of 65, he has already taken advantage by winning with a 6lb penalty at Warwick on Tuesday of this week. He looks to be a progressive individual and Alston who has started the season very well with his sprinters and has had 5 winners in the last 14 days can bring about further improvement.

Stellar Group Handicap - Class 2 - 5f16y - Chester - Good To Firm
Doctor Parkes followed up his win at Redcar off 5lb higher mark of 89 by winning here by 1 length from Captain Dunne with last years winner Masamah in third. He won this well and he looks set for better things now for his in form trainer. He has been raised a further 4lbs but he is fine form and you wouldnt bet against him completing a hat trick of wins. There were plenty of hard luck stories behind the winner as is usually the case here and I thought that Blue Jack did well in the circumstances and he stays on the same mark of 105. Fallasteen had shown blistering speed at Epsom and totally flunked the start here.

B&M Retail Handicap - Class 3 - 6f18y - Chester - Good To Firm
This 3yo handicap went to Kevin Ryan's Lexi's Hero by 1/2 length from Jamesie, with Boundaries 3rd and Oneladyowner 4th. The winner made all from his number 6 stall and has been raised 6lb to a mark of 95 and his trainer has pencilled in the competitive Reg Griffin 3yo Handicap at York. Oneladyowner is related to Jimmy Styles (who won the Ayr Gold Cup off 110 when he was 5 and recently won the Cammidge Trophy) and he remains on the same mark of 78 as he was interfered with turning into the straight and he can be given another to chance to win again. Robert the Painter also didnt have the best of runs and he remains on 85 for his in form trainer and jockey, although his trainer thinks he may need to drop a pound or two ?

Fred Cowley MBE Conditions Stakes - Class 3 - Ascot - 5f - Good To Firm
Elnawin showed the benefit of a run and the faster going by battling on tenaciously to get the better of Noble Storm in this 6 runner Conditions Stakes, the second was conceding 2lb to the winner and both are capable of winning again.

Victor Chandler Handicap - Class 2 - Chester - 5f 16yds - Good to Firm
Ahtoug came up against a smart horse last time in Night Carnation(winner since) and he showed he was a classy sort here by missing the break over this fast 5f and still managing to get up and win going away from this good field. He has only been raised 2lb as a result to a mark of 93 and is now fav for the Epsom Dash on Derby Day. He may be a little inexperienced for that but he has natural speed and that may get him through. Face the Problem also missed the break and as a result finished 5th and has been dropped 2lb to 97.

Will & Lynsey's Wedding Day Handicap - Class 4 - Lingfield - 5f - Good to Firm
This was won by Liberty Lady from Admirable Duchess, however Ajjaadd in 4th was the one who caught the eye having not had a clear run and he has been dropped 1lb to 71. He had run well previously when 3rd to Taurus Twins at Windsor when the track record was broken and he remains one to watch.

West Moor Stud Handicap - Class 4 - Ripon - 6f - Good to Firm 
This was a decent sprint and Discanti took the honours by a head from Paul Green's Legal Eagle with Caranbola in third, multiple winner Dickie Le Davoir finished 9th. The winner has been raised 3lb to 88, the 2nd 2lb to 79 and the third remains on 72. It was Paul Green's other runner Feeling Fresh though that caught the eye. He finished very well from off the pace which was at odds with the others who were involved in the finish and being only 2lb above his last winning mark of 71 his trainer will be looking towards getting another win out of him shortly.

Totesport Victoria Cup Handicap - Class 2 - 7f - Ascot - Good to FirmHawkeyethenoo showed he had improved over the winter by taking this in taking fashion to win by  2 1/2 lengths from Brian Meehan's Manassas and he will now head for the Wokingham off an 8lb higher mark of 104. The second ran a very good race too and he has only been raised 2lb to 95, he ran well off 96 in last seasons Ayr Silver Cup and he seems to thrive in these big field handicaps.

Alfred Franks & Bartlett Sunglasses Handicap - Class 3 - 6f - Ascot - Good to Firm
Deacon Blues ran a cracker here on his first run back to be beaten a neck by Imperial Guest and unfortunately he has risen by 3lbs to 98 for not winning which is a shame, although he did look the best horse in the race. This shouldnt be a barrier to him winning though and I would expect to see him go close next time out. The third Edinburgh Knight had been showing a good level of form on the All Weather and ran well here off 89 and he should remain competitive off 91. Dungannon in 8th was badly hampered when staying on and he deserves another chance with his trainer thinking he is well handicapped on a mark of 90.