TIS MARVELLOUS GUNNING FOR BEVERLEY BULLET BRACE

Tis Marvellous will be reunited with Paul Hanagan in the star sprinter’s quest to win back-to-back renewals of the £50,000 William Hill Beverley Bullet on Saturday.

Clive Cox’s eight-year-old broke the five-furlong track record 12 months ago when the partnership streaked nearly four lengths clear in the coveted Listed contest on the Westwood.

Tis Marvellous, who has been installed by William Hill as the 9-2 ante-post favourite, has not been sighted since he finished down the field in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.

Despite that lengthy absence, his trainer reports Tis Marvellous firmly on track for his big day at Beverley.

The Lambourn handler said:

“The plan is very much to go for the Beverley Bullet on Saturday.

“He’s in really good form at home. There have been no holds-up since Ascot – we’ve just been saving him for the right races.

“We now know his requirements and realise that he’s at his best over a stiff five furlongs.

“Obviously last year’s performance was exceptional and we were very proud of him that he managed to break the course record – he clearly has a likeness for the course.

“Paul Hanagan gave him a super ride last year and it’s great that we’ve been able to get him riding for us again.

“Because of his rating, he is not the easiest to place these days, but this is certainly the right race for him.

“He will go to Beverley a fresh and well horse. The fact he will be so fresh is not a negative.”

Tis Marvellous is amongst 22 confirmations for the William Hill Beverley Bullet, with Judicial also in the shake-up.

Julie Camacho’s popular 10-year-old won the race in 2019 and could be joined in the line-up by stablemate, the 104-rated Ainsdale.

Manaccan defeated Judicial by three-quarters of a length in the Shergar Cup Dash at Ascot and is also prominent in the betting with William Hill.

Robert Cowell could be double-handed with Arecibo and the Middleham Park-owned Clarendon House, who won so well over course and distance in June.

Last-time-out scorers Tees Spirit (Adrian Nicholls), Alligator Alley (David O’Meara) and Alia Choice (Kevin Ryan) are also in contention – as is Mick Appleby’s durable veteran Danzeno, whose last win came at Beverley in September 2021.

One of Beverley’s biggest fixtures of the season also features the William Hill Silver Cup over a mile and a quarter.

Last season’s renewal was won by the Roger Charlton-trained Barn Owl and is this year worth £30,000 in prize-money.

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