Yesterday’s Review

1pt win Odin Owns You All – The question was could Michael Bell get the horse back to his (107) speed figure from February, and the answer was no. The response when the question was asked in the home straight was very limited and a speed figure of (98) was a long way from his best.

0.75pt e/way Ginny Jo – It is always risky when a horse records a career best speed figure (99) to expect that big number to be repeated. In yesterday’s race the winner’s speed figure was a mere (96). A slowly run race didn’t suit the selection and she was too keen early on. Nevertheless, the response was flat when asked and she could only manage to record an (84) speed figure. Back to the drawing board with this one, who needs pace to aim at.

1pt win Cantora – Not much much pace on early here, which wouldn’t have suited George Boughey’s filly. The race winning move was made by Joe Fanning 7f out on Struth, when he came from a position towards the rear to racing beside the leader Sovereign Spirit. Unfortunately for the selection (who is second last in the photo) the first and second at the 2f pole stayed there to the finish as we can see from the photo below.

Although she made up some nice ground in the final 2f, the leaders had it too easy in front. Perhaps Ryan could have made his move earlier, and it might have made it more interesting. This is what is involved with hold up performers, unfortunately. You need others to do the work for you.

Today’s Advice

Pride Of America (10F 70y Handicap) Amy Murphy’s front-running 6-y-o gelding retruns to the same C/D where he won by 5.5L on the same card last year. With the ground described as Soft (Heavy in places) conditions should suit as he has plenty of form on a Soft surface. His most recent effort at Saint Cloud was a very strong performance over 12f, which was a bit too far for him. He still only gave best between the 300m and 200m markers. A speed figure of (111) was right up with his previous best. With no pace pressure on today and the shorter trip on a sharper track, he could prove difficult to peg back. A recent third wind operation does pose a question mark. However, he has won his next race after his first two wind operations.

Call My Bluff (18f 140y Handicap) This has been the target for Dominic Ffrench Davis’ gelding for some time now, and he sits nicely near the bottom of the handicap for todays Chester Cup (3.15). An unlucky second behind Emiyn over today’s C/D on Good to Soft going last September showed that this handicap mark is not beyond him. A nice seasonal debut, when needing the run at Newbury on Soft going, was another big step forward. Hitting the front over 3f out only James Fanshawe’s nicely treated Novel Legend could better him. A nice draw has been secured in stall (2), and a lot of boxes are ticked for a fairytale win for the horse that started his handicap career off a mark of (63) in a Class 6 contest.

Two Brothers (12f 63y Handicap) This Michael & David Easterby trained 5-y-o’s career has been transformed since the visor was applied last September at Catterick. On that occasion a career best speed figure of (106) was recorded from a lowly handicap mark of (61), and since then he has been on an upward curve. While it has taken him a further five races before breaking his maiden tag at Beverley, he did it in some style. Tracking the leaders that day, he travelled strongly before taking it up over a furlong from home and putting 5.5L between himself and the opposition. With a nice draw in stall (4) and a decent apprentice on board in Adam Farragher, a reproduction of that effort will see him very difficult to beat.

1pt win Pride Of America (4/1 William Hill/Bet365, 7/2 General) Chester 2.05

1pt win Call My Bluff (4/1 William Hill/Coral Ladbrokes/Bet365, 7/2 General) Chester 3.15 BOG ONLY

1.5pts win Two Brothers (7/2 888sport, 10/3 General) Chester 4.20 BOG ONLY