Newmarket trainer James Tate has his string in sensational form at present, operating at a tremendous 44% strike rate in recent weeks, sending out four winners from his last nine runners in the process. Our expert editor has delved into the form of his two representatives on Sunday and provided their thoughts below, alongside an exclusive promotion courtesy of bet365, which is offering £50 In Free Bets to new customers when you sign-up and bet £10.
On Reflection (14:10 Chelmsford, Ire-Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish EBF Restricted Novice Stakes)
James Tate’s first runner on Sunday afternoon comes in Chelmsford’s third race as ON REFLECTION bids to put his experience to good use after making a promising debut over six furlongs in a Wolverhampton maiden back in March. Well supported in the market on that occasion, the son of El Kabeir showed plenty of early pace leaving the stalls and soon found himself in a prominent position under jockey Jack Mitchell. Displaying clear signs of inexperience turning for home, the three-year-old grey colt was unable to quicken up behind a pair of experienced rivals entering the final furlong but did manage to keep on well under hands and heels riding on the run to the line to finish third.
Although the switch to novice company does demand more of him on Sunday afternoon, it would be no surprise to see On Reflection take a sizeable step forward following his encouraging debut effort last time out and with in-form jockey Neil Callan booked to take the ride (6-23 23%), a bold bid looks assured from James Tate’s three-year-old.
Take A Stand (15:20 Chelmsford, Racing Welfare Handicap)
The step up to one mile should really suit TAKE A STAND who will bid to get off the mark at the sixth attempt on Sunday afternoon. Despite failing to make it into the winner’s enclosure on his five previous outings, the son of Invincible Spirit has displayed plenty of promise without getting his head in front and it appears to be only a matter of time before James Tate’s colt finally puts it all together.
Third in maiden company in his opening two starts at Kempton over seven furlongs earlier this year, Take A Stand wasn’t seen to best effect when switched to novice company at Wolverhampton back in March. Quickly taken on for the lead on that particular occasion, he was unable to sustain his challenge inside the closing stages and gradually faded out of contention to finish fifth.
However, the three-year-old colt firmly got back on track with an eye-catching run at Lingfield on his handicap debut off a mark of 70 just last month. Settled towards the rear of the field under jockey Franny Norton, Take A Stand was still in last place entering the final furlong but simply flew home, displaying an electric turn of foot to stay on powerfully between rivals to finish an unlikely fourth at the line.
Fancied to get off the mark last time out over seven furlongs at Chelmsford, James Tate’s charge lost all winning chance after hanging left down the straight but was far from disgraced and finished just under three lengths behind the eventual winner. With the step up to a mile promising to suit this weekend, Take A Stand will be expected to shed the maiden tag now dropping into a 0-70 contest for the very first time, especially with that penultimate effort at Lingfield still very much fresh in mind.
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