Yesterday’s Review
No Investments
Today’s Advice
Nothing strong enough at the right price for me today but a few races have been priced up for Good Friday which are interesting.
INDIGO DREAM (7f Hcap Fillies And Mares) – The (2.35) Newcastle looks a bit of a foregone conclusion according to the betting and the manner in which the favourite Stateira won over course and distance back in January. She made most of the running and had 4 lengths to spare at the line following a couple of backhanders from Oisin Murphy. The (105) timefigure was solid enough but at the prices I will be looking for one of her beaten rivals to make more of a race with her this time.
The selection had been hitting the front over a furlong from home when racing over a mile in decent maidens in Ireland last year behind Sound Of Lightning at Naas and Angelight at Dundalk. The former contest at Naas has seen a stack of winners emerge from that race including Shakazia, Angelight, Candleford Green, Lady In Paris (twice), Sindria, Lovely and Drama Queen. The Ross O’Sullivan trained filly recored a (108) timefigure next time out behind Angelight at Dundalk and she looked like she might benefit from a drop back to 7f on the day. Indeed, she broke her maiden tag next time out back at Dundalk when racing prominently over that trip to come home 3.5 lengths clear of Land Of The Giants. While she was put in her place by the winner last time out she does meet her on 11lb better terms and although both horses were coming back from a five week break last time I am hoping that connections were using the trial race more as a stepping stone to Friday’s contest.
HEAVENLY HEATHER (6f Hcap) – This five-year-old mare is only second reserve for the (3.35) Newcastle and there is a good chance that she will not make the cut as she needs two horses to come out. In the chance that she does get in she looks a shade overpriced considering she sprang a 200/1 surprise over 7f at last year’s All-Weather Championships. She has shown this season that her performance on the day was no fluke and her (115) timefigure over course and distance behind Germanic last November would give her a live chance here. Selected last time out by this column conditions didn’t really suit her as she raced keenly with no cover before weakening into fifth place beaten 5 lengths following a 41 day break. If she can make it into this contest on the day she might surprise a few others considering the odds on offer.
DARK MOON RISING (10f Hcap) – The (3.15) Lingfield looks a race worth getting involved in considering the favourite Unterberg has yet to race at this venue and his career best (104) timefigure two runs back looks light when matched up against some of his rivals. The trial for this race over course and distance looks a strong contest with third place Wyld Bill recording a (109) timefigure carrying just 8st 5lbs under jockey Mason Paetel. The Denis Quinn trained five-year-old has been a revelation for connections having won six handicaps since getting his head in front last June from a 32lb lower mark.
However, I was also impressed with the selection’s comeback run following a 42 day break back in fifth another 1.5 lengths behind under apprentice Jack Callan. He raced in rear on that occasion and kept on well to the line despite receiving a bump in the home straight. The son of Night Of Thunder backed that effort up when recording a (113) timefigure behind Respond over 10f at Chelmsford last time out and with his young apprentice’s 5lb claim he can race 9lbs below the handicap mark off which he was beaten a short head behind Savvy Victory back in December 2024.
FRIDAY SELECTIONS
0.5pt e/way Indigo Dream (17/2 William Hill, Unibet, 8 general) 2.25 Newcastle
0.5pt e/way Heavenly Heather (16/1 general 4 places) 3.35 Newcastle
0.75pt e/way Dark Moon Rising (11/1 William Hill, 10/1 Unibet, 9/1 Ladbrokes, Coral 4 places) 3.15 Lingfield