Yesterday’s Review
0.5pt e/way Desert Master (95) & 0.5pt e/way Basholo (93) – The Desert Master that won his last two races over course and distance never turned up yesterday, running five lengths per mile slower than his most recent win coming home a well beaten 3.25 lengths in seventh. Basholo ended her consistent run of efforts on the clock, and managed to record a time seven lengths per mile slower than even her latest effort behind Gustav Graves. The winner Havechatma (101) returned to her course and distance form of last October having ran unplaced last time out…
0.5pt e/way Badri (115) – The selection returned to his previous best despite being off the track for 100 days. His best efforts have been on the all-weather surfaces last season, and it will be interesting to see if he can back this up. He made good headway from a midfield position over two furlongs out, and was brave coming through horses in the home straight under an excellent ride from Jason Hart. Result 1st 9/1 adv…11/2 SP.
0.5pt e/way Miss Calculation (101) – A decent pace set by Coconut Bay ensured the hold up performers would hold a chance in the home straight, and so it proved with Hawajes (104) wearing first-time blinkers coming from last place to first in the final three furlongs. The selection had every chance in the home straight, but weakened into fourth place when it came time to battle at the business end of the race.
Today’s Advice
SOLID WIN (1400m/7f Hcap) – A competitive looking (9.55) Sha Tin with the front two in the market Packing Angel and Another World looking little value at the prices on offer. The selection has been improving recently on the clock, and won nicely last time out from a wide draw having had to give up a lot of ground early on. A three wide trip didn’t help his cause, but he still had enough in reserve to run down the front runners in the straight recording a (107) speed figure carrying eight pounds more than he has this morning. That was a Class 4 event, and he does step up a grade today, but with a better draw in stall five he may represent a bit of value against the front two. Mickael Barzalona takes the ride, and hopefully he can secure a decent position from his kinder draw this morning. Those who can avail of Paddy Power’s and Skybet’s extra place should do so, but for this account we will record three places.
VALDIVIA (2200m/11f Cns) – The short priced favourite for today’s (5.00) Meydan, Guns And Glory looked to have a hard race last time out when losing his position before the home turn before a keeping on fourth place finish behind Violent Justice. I am happy to let him win at the prices despite the step up in trip looking to be in his favour. The selection should also appreciate the step up in trip from when last seen staying on over ten furlongs on the dirt to win his maiden from Al Mukhtar. A recent fourth placed finish on turf over twelve furlongs showed his liking for a staying trip, and back on dirt today, he could represent a bit of value against the favourite providing he can reproduce his latest efforts.
WEE FAT MAC (6f 16y Hcap) – This Iain Jardine trained six-year-old has been recording rock solid times over six furlongs at Newcastle recently, and only went down by a head to Captain Vallo last time out while carrying nine stone seven pounds. His recent course record reads 4425, and that experience might come in handy over the favourite Court Drive who is having his course debut today. Providing today’s (5.00) Southwell doesn’t come too soon, just eight days since Newcastle, he looks worth an interest to go one place better. The handicapper has left him unchanged his last four races, and solid apprentice Archie Young takes another valuable five pounds off his back. Archie has ridden twenty three winners since the start of last year, and four of them have been for the Jardine stable.
0.5pt e/way Solid Win (8/1 General) 9.55 Sha Tin
0.5pt e/way Valdivia (15/2 William Hill, 7/1 General) 5.00 Meydan
1pt win Wee Fat Mac (4/1 Paddy Power/Ladbrokes/Coral) 5.00 Southwell