Yesterday’s Review
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Today’s Advice
STORMI (8f 44y Hcap) – This four-year-old has dropped ten pounds down the handicap ratings since arriving in Hong Kong last December from the Jack Davison stable. He was noted making decent late headway last time out over course and distance when coming home well in third place behind Iconical beaten just over a length. On that occasion he was held up well out the back, and was given an over exaggerated waiting ride in order to get him to finish off his race.
Unfortunately, he looks the type who needs this type of ride judging by his head carriage, and he looks the type who would not benefit from being bossed around too early in his races. Jerry Chau retains the ride for today’s (1.35) Happy Valley, and his experience with the horse should give him every chance of repeating his latest improved effort. Stakes should be kept low due to the delicate nature of the horse.
TELECOM POWER (6f Hcap) – The (2.05) Happy Valley looks an interesting race with the favourite Aurio yet to win a race in Hong Kong. The selection is also still a maiden, but only found Jolly Ruler too good last time out in similar company. He has been given a kind draw in stall four again, and Harry Bentley takes the ride today. Harry was on board for his best performance on the clock so far when finishing a neck behind Dragon Four Seas back in March over course and distance. On that occasion he raced in midfield, and had one of today’s rivals Super Charizzard back in fifth place. A reproduction of either effort should see him in the shake-up today.
CONVERGENT (12f 63y Hcap) – Today’s contestant’s for the (3.05) Chester Vase will all be stepping up in trip to the twelve furlong distance for the first time. The selection has recorded the fastest time of today’s field when recording a (113) speed figure last time out at Redcar over ten furlongs. That was only a Class 5 Novice, and the selection does not have the winning form of some of his rivals, but he showed a lot of raw potential on the day. Racing prominently, he was able to put some nice daylight between himself and his rivals when asked to quicken four furlongs from home. He still looked green under pressure, and as it was just his second career start we will be hoping he will have learned a lot from the experience.
Sam James takes over from Clifford Lee who has been on board for both of the colt’s races. Sam is fresh from success in the Thirsk Royal Hunt Cup on Flight Plan, and has ridden plenty of winners in top class races over the years for the stable including Poptronic, Poet Master, Al Qareem and Novakai.
The dam Monty’s Miracle was a fourteen furlong maiden winner for John Oxx, so the step up in trip should be well within the son of Fascinating Rock’s compass. He looks the right price for a sporting interest in today’s exciting contest.
The favourite Lambourn has yet to show his best since winning a Listed race at Craon, and has failed already with an experiment in first-time blinkers in a Group 2 at the Curragh last season behind Hotazhell.
0.5pt e/way Stormi (8/1 General) 1.35 Happy Valley
0.5pt e/way Telecom Power (9/2 William Hill, 4/1 General) 2.05 Happy Valley
0.5pt e/way Convergent (4/1 General) 3.05 Chester