Valentine gift at Brighton

Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), July 14, 2008

Byline: By CHRIS WILSON Sports Correspondent

PRINCE VALENTINE can break the hearts of the men with satchels at Brighton tomorrow.

Trained by Gary Moore, the undisputed master of the East Sussex venue, this seven-year-old looks to be coming to hand nicely for the Matthew Clark Wines & Spirits Handicap.

Already a three-time winner at Brighton, Prince Valentine lost nothing in defeat over a mile at the track last time, when he only went down by half a length to the reasonable Napoletano.

The seven-year-old won here last September off his current mark and looks to have everything in his favour so as to give his followers plenty to shout about.

Kevin Ryan has his team in fine fettle and has unearthed a winnable opportunity for Glenveagh at Great Leighs.

The three-year-old is clearly not one of the sharpest arrows at Hambleton Lodge - hence his participation in the Essex County Claiming Stakes.

That said, he showed plenty of dash to finish a close-up third in a five-furlong affair at Hamilton on Saturday and looks to be crying out for a return to this longer trip.

Glenveagh is the least exposed in this moderate field and may not get a better opportunity with which to open his account.

Wee Charlie Castle has been a model of consistency this term and deserves to win the totesport.com Handicap at Yarmouth.

Despite having been turned over as the 5-2 favourite at Newbury and Nottingham, there was much to like about his last two starts.

The five-year-old is an established hold-up performer and on both occasions came with a powerful late rally only to find one too good on the day.

Wee Charlie Castle remains off a mark of 60 following his recent Nottingham second and should not be hindered by the conditions at the seaside venue.

Given the reliable level of form he has shown this term, a big run looks guaranteed.

Hits Only Vic can atone for his near-miss at Catterick last week by winning the Mary Elizabeth Westwood Celebration Handicap at Beverley.

Declan Carroll has done a brilliant job with this progressive four-year-old, whose consistency alone puts him bang in the frame for this assignment.

Three times a winner in June, the four-year-old made a seamless step up to this trip on his last start and only went down by three-quarters of a length to Mister Arjay.

Although that rival reopposes, the 6lb penalty he incurred for that success should put Carroll's charge back in the driving seat.

Seemingly adept on a broad spectrum of ground, Hits Only Vic stands out as being the most up-and-coming performer in a field containing many exposed stayers.

Jun Fan will be hard to stop if there is no more rain before the East Yorkshire Business Expo 2nd October Handicap.