The form during the last week has definitely turned around, even if it hasn't caught fire just yet/
Parole d'Oro finished second to a horse who keeps running well at Ripon, and is seemingly still progressing. I tipped up the winner at the start of last season, and he got beaten, and has gone on to win multiple times since.
Parole d'Oro travelled well into the race, but I didn't think they went quickly, which didn't suit him too well. Either way, he looks like a horse that doesn't put everything into his runs and might require some kind of headgear.
Another Abbot drifted out and got the job done at Yarmouth. I didn't expect the runner-up to finish as close as he did, as he was keen in the early stages. The front two pulled miles clear, so I'd be very confident in backing the pair of them in their next races.
Gallant Lion 3/1 (1pt) – Brighton 15.20
Despite there being a lot of racing on Friday, nothing stood out to me as a solid bet. I'm going to give Gallant Lion a go in this race, and he's going to need to drastically bounce back to form.
I was very close to going with Rogue Impact for this race, as he is getting the first time blinkers for a yard who is very good, but the jockey booking on Gallant Lion sent me in his direction.
Jason Watson has been the main jockey for Charles Hill this year, but he has opted to go on the Ian Williams horse. When riding for Ian in 2026, he is 1/2, with the loss coming in the form of a runner-up finish. Ian's main jockeys are elsewhere, as they are with their main stables, so the fact that he has persuaded Jason to jump ship from the Hills' stable to ride Gallant Lion looks good.
Gallant Lion is a course winner and did have some strong form at some stages during last season. The run behind Belgravian in a Class 4 reads well. That was over two miles, but he has won over 12f, so we know he has the speed for it. He won off a mark of 67 at this trip, which is a mark of 61 as a 6lb claimer was in the saddle, but given he has gone close off higher marks, he is well-treated.
He hasn't lit the world on fire this season, with one run over hurdles and a run over one mile, which was never going to suit. He arrives race fit and off a mark of 66, and back up in trip, he got my vote.
GambleAware