Nicky Henderson hands Lieutenant Miller chance to prove his credentials (From York Press)

Nicky Henderson hands Lieutenant Miller chance to prove his credentials

11:49am Thursday 1st November 2012 in Sport By Tom O'Ryan, Racing journalist

LIEUTENANT MILLER, who pulled off a shock victory on his Flat debut at Pontefract four weeks ago, bids to prove that win was no fluke at Newmarket tomorrow.

Trained by Nicky Henderson, the gelding is a useful hurdler, boasting two wins and a rating of 115. It was something of a surprise to see him make a first appearance on the level at the age of six at Pontefract, but he made his prescence felt when beating the odds-on Zuider Zee, a horse with a 108 Flat rating, in a thrilling finish.

Lieutenant Miller now tackles the Milos Seafood & Norfolk Ice Cream Handicap. The handicapper has allotted him an opening mark of 81, which looks fair in light of his Pontefract achievement.

He tackles two miles once more and Tom Queally again takes the mount. It would be no surprise to see him prove hard to beat.

Bridle Belle, who runs in the Thai Street Cafe Fillies’ Handicap, bids to follow up a recent success at York when she did Richard Fahey and Paul Hanagan very good turns.

The four-year-old’s victory in the final race run on Knavesmire this year provided Fahey with his fifth York success in 24 hours and enabled the Musley Bank handler to retain his leading trainer’s crown at the track.

Likewise, Hanagan, who was in the saddle, retained his jockey’s title.

Bridle Belle relishes soft ground and, with conditions to her liking tomorrow, she has every chance of obliging again off a 4lb higher mark.

Hanagan also has a fighting chance aboard Melbourne Memories in the Express Cafes Bosra Sham Fillies’ Stakes, a Listed event and the feature race on the card.

Winner of two of her four races, Clive Cox’s juvenile, most recently successful at Ascot, has a bit to find with some of her rivals here on official ratings, but she is probably capable of further improvement and she might well be capable of raising her game in her toughest test to date.

Norton jockey Freddie Tylicki travels to Wolverhampton’s twilight meeting to renew his acquaintance with Caramelita in the attheraces.com Breeders’ Cup Site Fillies’ Handicap. Tylicki won on John Jenkins’ charge at Yarmouth last time out, the fiveyear- old looking on good terms with herself. She can win again.

Brian Ellison sends Christmas Light to Wolverhampton to contest the second division of the Breeders’ Cup Live Only On ATR Handicap.

A dual-winner, the five-year-old has been running well in defeat lately, finishing fourth at Newmarket last time and previously runner- up at Pontefract and York.

The Norton mare has no experience of racing on an all-weather surface, which is something of a concern. But, provided she copes with the switch to Polytrack, she is entitled to go well.

In the first division of the same race, My Mate Jake should be hard to beat. James Given’s gelding came good again at Doncaster last week. A 6lb penalty may not halt him in his tracks and he is napped to follow up.

In the $150M Breeders’ Cup Pools, Tatting should not be overlooked.

Although he has little form, Tatting gave a hint of promise in handicap company on this course a fortnight ago when staying on into fourth place under Graham Lee, who takes the mount again. This well-bred three-year- old, trained by Chris Dwyer, is open to further improvement.

RACING selections

Newmarket (tomorrow)
12.40 Shore Step, 1.10 Cousin Melchior, 1.40 Melbourne Memories, 2.10 Bridle Belle, 2.45 Boonga Roogeta, 3.20 Ninjago, 3.55 Lieutenant Miller.

Wolverhampton (tomorrow)
4.15 Footstepsintherain, 4.45 Caramelita, 5.15 Maguire, 5.45 Marmot Bay, 6.15 Tatting, 6.45 Blue Zealot, 7.15 My Mate Jake (NAP), 7.45 Christmas Light.

Tomorrow’s other meetings: Uttoxeter, Wetherby.

Today’s meetings: Lingfield, Hereford, Stratford, Kempton.