Horse Racing: In-form Apex at the height of his powers; RACING POST RATINGS.

Byline: Simon Turner

THE name of Martin Hill may not be familiar to many punters but he is a trainer to respect judged by the excellent work he has done this spring with Apex, who is fancied to continue his good run in the WBX.COM World Bet Exchange Handicap (4.00) at Bath.

This six-year-old, picked up cheaply by Hill at the Doncaster sales in March, has proved one of the success stories of the Flat season, winning three of his four races for his new trainer.

The resurgent Apex began his career with Ed Dunlop, for whom he won twice and showed plenty on differing ground, earning Racing Post Ratings of 79 or greater from 6f to a mile.

Apex failed to shine after joining Nigel Tinkler in 2005, racing exclusively for his second trainer over 7f or shorter.

His poor form helped explain his cheap sale price this year, but he has been an instant hit for new connections, passing the post first on all four of his starts.

He was unfortunate to be demoted to second when scoring on his penultimate start over Southwell's 1m3f, a trip that probably stretched his stamina.

Before that, Apex registered wins at Warwick and Kempton, travelling with fluency on both occasions before recording winning RPRs of 63 and 68.

He stepped up another 4lb at Southwell, but his best performance came last week when a comfortable winner of a course-and-distance handicap, an effort that warranted an RPR of 82.

That form is 11lb shy of his career best and, while it may be asking too much to expect further improvement, a reproduction of that effort is likely to suffice.

Apex's biggest danger may prove to be Seneschal, who chased him home at Kempton. Steve Drowne's mount has been in good form himself, roughly reproducing his Kempton effort when winning at Chepstow this month.

Seneschal enjoys a significant pull in the weights from Kempton, but Apex has shown muchimproved form since and is fancied to confirm the placings.

Today's bets

Apex

4.00 Bath

Nap

Group Therapy

6.40 Windsor

Warm form

A strict interpretation of the form of his latest run, when an easy winner at Thirsk, surely flatters him, but he is still very much the one to beat in a race that looks sure to play to his strengths.

Mick Is Back

7.20 Wolverhampton

Conditions to suit

Ran well on first outing for his new trainer when finding Leicester 's 1m on the stiff side against a well-handicapped rival. Faces an easier task tonight and should go well back in trip on an easier track.

CAPTION(S):

Seneschal: has a big pull at the weights with Apex on their running at Kempton and could prove the main danger