Yesterday’s Review
1pt win Eye Of Dubai (106) – The selection raced keen early on and recorded a similar timefigure at the weights to the one which he put up last November over course and distance. His latest efforts had been better though, so this was a bit below what was expected. The winner Fine Interview (111) recorded a career best and I was worried about him on Heavy ground as he was a non runner on soft ground at Catterick in the past but he proved me wrong.
1pt win Rousing Encore (107) – James Sullivan’s mount put up a cracking effort from the rear and rewarded those who played each way with a nice return. There should be another win in him soon enough.
1pt e/way Aberama Gold (105) – This was a length to two lengths per mile slower than what I was expecting, but even so he wouldn’t have been able to live with the front two who put up career best efforts. It was still a decent display and he returned most of the each way play. Result 3rd 7/2 adv…9/2 SP.
1pt e/way Rosie Frith (104) – Another excellent performance from this filly who pings the gates so well and maintained her advantage all the way to the line this time as expected. Result 1st 7/2 adv….13/8f SP (Rule 4 10c)
Today’s Advice
DUCA DI LUCCA (8f 142y Hcap) – This lightly raced three-year-old looks like a slow burning project for the Sean Woods stable who put in some decent work from the rear last time out at tonight’s venue. On that occasion he raced over the extended seven furlong trip and made some late headway over a furlong from home before his jockey Finley Marsh accepted things late on.
He has slowly been improving on the clock since the application of a hood, and is obviously a delicate project looking at his profile. He was returning from a 73 day absence last time out and produced the fastest second last furlong of (11.43 secs) on the clock that evening. It remains to be seen if the step up in trip is what is needed but he is an interesting contender for tonight’s (6.30) Wolverhampton and will be hoping for some pace to aim at from Mc’ted and Reddeef.
BONA VERBA (9f 104y Hcap) – This David Evans trained three-year-old filly has a similar profile to the previous selection but looks a little more solid in that she should be suited by the step up in trip on pedigree and goes without headgear. She has also been improving incrementally on the clock and her course experience should hold her in good stead.
Last time out at Kempton over the mile she was doing her best work at the finish taking on older horses and she should appreciate the drop down to taking on her own age group for tonight’s (8.00) Wolverhampton. Jack Callan takes off a valuable five pounds and there looks to be plenty of rivals that like to go forward so she should have plenty of pace to aim at. It is a lower grade race than I normally like to look at but on a day that looked very competitive she looked the right price for a sporting interest.
HINT OF HUMOUR (5f 21y Hcap) – Trainer Tony Carroll will be hoping this three-year-old filly can complete a three-timer in tonight’s (8.30) Wolverhampton for jockey William Carson who has been on board for her last two wins. She tops tonight’s field on the clock with her (108) timefigure last time out, and although Invincible Crown is weighted to finish in front this time I prefer to stick with the winning filly who looks to have a bit of substance about her.
She is perfectly drawn in stall five tonight and usually finds a nice position in her run before finishing out her races well. The handicapper has only raised her three pounds for her latest victory and everything looks in place for another solid effort. Pace should come from Jo Jo Rabbit (who would have her own say in the outcome if on a going day) and J Street.
0.5pt e/way Duca Di Lucca (8/1 Paddy Power, William Hill, Ladbrokes 4 places) 6.30 Wolverhampton
0.5pt e/way Bona Verba (12/1 Paddy Power, William Hill, Ladbrokes 4 places) 8.00 Wolverhampton
0.75pt e/way Hint Of Humour (4/1 general) 8.30 Wolverhampton