Tonight is the start of the 75th Produce Stakes at Swindon. Liz McNair has trained the winner in three of the last four years but her kennel is represented by just a single runner in 2021 in what looks a weaker renewal of this Category 1 competition.
Lola is a pocket rocket
What a joy it is to watch Pocket Lola in the early strides when she is on song. One of the most natural trappers in the country, Seamus Cahill’s star is a top class performer over both two and four bends.
A pair of recent trials here have yielded the usual flying sectional times and she looks the one they have to beat in the final first round heat at 21.14.
A double for Cahill wouldn’t be surprising
Seamus Cahill can top and tail the heats, his Surprising looking the one to be with in the opening heat at 19.21. The 2020 Puppy Derby winner has not had the best of times so far in 2021 but this should be a turning point for him.
There is little doubt that this is his easiest assignment of the year and his dam was a streaky performer when she was running. He shaped fine in a recent trial and really ought to take advantage of this opportunity.
Onyx to send shockwaves through the field
Shockwave Onyx was well supported on his opening two starts, sent off favourite on both occasions, he lacked the tactical nous to get involved. Given time by Kim Gooding to mature, he returned a different performer, bolting up at Henlow in a very fast time.
He has shaped well in a pair of trials here ahead of the 19.53 race and given he is a December ‘19 whelp, he has plenty of time on his side to improve further.
Baggio a champ for Bryce
Having beaten a good yardstick in his first trial at this track, it was no surprise to see Baggios Champ win on his debut here. He has also scored at Nottingham when getting up in the dying strides in a messy race.
He tends to make things hard for himself but he is clearly a smart youngster when the gaps open for him. A flying 28.18 in a recent trial here marked him down as a player for overall glory for Frank Bryce, kicking off his campaign in the 20.08.
Gaskin’s charge returns to his old home
Jimmy Gaskin has only had Bernard for two races, a very slick winner at Doncaster last time out. Prior to that he was a smart performer at this course for Kev Hutton and he can appreciate the return to a track that will feel like a second home at 19.38.