Trade Centre can profit from step up in trip at Ascot

David Probert was the apprentice find of last season, riding 50 winners, and this excellent lightweight can kickstart another successful campaign by winning the totesport Victoria Cup (2.15) on Trade Centre at Ascot today.
Unraced at two and three years, the well-bred Trade Centre finally made his debut on the all-weather in February. A promising second on his debut at Wolverhampton, he then opened his account at Lingfield Park before being unsuited by a slow early pace when fourth on his handicap bow at the same track.
Trade Centre again looked to be crying out for this step up in trip when a strong-finishing third at Windsor last time and is open to plenty of improvement now that his stamina is more fully tested. This is a big step up in class, but Trade Centre has plenty of potential and, at a general 40-1 this morning, looks a value bet.
In a wide-open contest, the consistent Majuro has been unlucky not to win a big handicap already this season and should not be far away, while Zaahid, last year's winner, cannot be ruled out off a 6lb higher mark.
Supaverdi holds rock-solid claims in the Bovis Homes Fillies' Heritage Handicap (1.40). She started to fulfil her promise when making an impressive reappearance at Bath, powering clear in the final furlong having been boxed in for much of the race. A mere 5lb rise in the weights looks extremely generous and she will be hard to beat.
The best bet of the day is Caravel in the toteswinger Swinton Handicap Hurdle (1.55). A classy handicapper on the Flat, he has been brought along steadily over jumps, comfortably winning his past three starts in novice company. This switch to a handicap will provide him with a tougher test, but he jumps well and has a high cruising speed, so should be able to take it all in his stride. Off a lowly mark, he looks great value at 12-1 with the sponsor and William Hill.
Green Mile holds solid claims in the toteplacepot Long Distance Handicap Hurdle (1.20). He did not enjoy the best of fortune when a good fifth in the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival, where an early mistake cost him valuable ground and he was also hampered approaching the final flight. He should be able to make the most of this easier task.
The classic trials continue at Lingfield Park, where Aidan O'Brien yet again holds sound claims with Age Of Aquarius in the totesport.com Derby Trial (3.15). This son of Galileo landed a maiden at Dundalk before being thrown in at the deep end when a fine fourth to stablemate Fame And Glory in group one company at Saint-Cloud last November. That run sets the standard here and he can add another string to the O'Brien Derby bow.
Tottie has been crying out for a test of stamina and looks the one to beat in the totesportcasino.com Oaks Trial (2.40). She stayed on strongly when fifth to Enticement over a mile at Newmarket last November and can reverse placings with Midday, who was a half-length ahead in fourth there.
William Haggas has his stable in cracking form and All About You can give him another success in the Bet In Play at totesport.com Handicap (2.55) at Nottingham. He looks to have been let in lightly to judge by his easy maiden success at Windsor, which has worked out well.
Source:The times