Up a bit, down a bit - 4th July

We start with Leicester on Thursday and Harrison George beating Elusive Flame by 1 1/4 lengths in the Class 3 handicap over 6f, there was a further 1 3/4 lengths back to Apollo D'Negro in third. The winner has improved of late with the blinkers on and he is rising back up through the ranks again at the age of 8 and he's gone up a further 6lb for this to 95, he was 114 in 2010. He recorded a good speed rating of 90 on this rain softened ground.

At Warwick on the same day Rae Guest's Minalisa, a filly by Oasis Dream, excelled on the fast ground to win in convincing fashion and in doing so a number of bets were landed. She recorded a speed figure of 84 in beating Picture Dealer  2 1/4 lengths and she has been raised 7lb by the handicapper to 83 but she looks capable of keeping up her winning ways.

On Friday at Newcastle Magical Macey managed to clock a figure of 103 over 5f on the softer going in the Class 2 handicap when beating Ancient Cross and Jack Luey by 3/4 of a length and 1 1/4 lengths. Inbehind the Tim Easterby pair Captain Dunne and Confessional finished 9th and 12th and both have been dropped 2lb. Confessional is now on 96, his last winning mark, whilst Captain Dunne is on 91, 14lb lower than when he won the Dash at Epsom in 2011 and both are more than capable when things go right.

Another old timer, the 11 year old Tax Free, showed that he was no slouch when he set a speed figure of 90 at Newmarket in the Class 4 handicap over 5f on the July Course on Friday and recorded his 17th victory for his lucky connections. He was able to beat the 4yo's Gladiatrix and Asian Trader into 2nd and 3rd and the handicapper was as quick to raise him 5lb back to 90.

Chester on Saturday saw Rusty Rocket achieve his best figures so far, off his highest rating, and he looks to be improving. He beat Sir Maximilian by a length with a further 2 lengths back to Secret Look. He was drawn well and was at the head of affairs throughout but showed tenacity to get a run up the rail turning into the straight and scoot into a winning lead. He goes up another 5lb for this but when there's some give in the going he is a solid performer.

Jack Dexter was able to take the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle run over 6f by a head from Mass Rally and he may now head for the July Cup although he is unlikely to get his favoured give in the going there.