Yesterday’s Review
0.75pt e/way Storm Eric (90) – It looked like the selection was building towards an improved effort on the day following his 105 day break, judging by his two most recent speed figure performances on the clock (93) onto a (98). However, even with a decent pace on up front he ran eight lengths per mile slower than the last day. It was interesting that the winner Finsceal Annie recorded a speed figure of (99). He looks a long way off his previous best now.
0.75pt e/way Harvard Sound (104) – A five lengths per mile inferior performance at the weights to his last effort at Southwell. I never like to see my selections dive for the inside rail at the cutaway in the home straight as it always looks like those that challenge more towards the middle seem to finish better. Despite this it should be said that the response was very tame when asked for his effort, eventually weakening into twelfth position beaten four and three quarter lengths.
Today’s Advice
Ravenglass (8f 142y Hcap) – This Adrian Wintle trained five-year-old had gone winless since acquired from Richard Fahey’s yard in August 2023, and his overall profile looked very inconsistent. However, with the application of blinkers he managed to win over course and distance in October by a length and a half from Guildford, and connections must have been delighted with his latest effort when dropped back to seven furlongs at Southwell. He raced prominently that day , as he usually does, and only went down by a neck to the Declan Carroll trained Emerald Army keeping on well at the finish. The handicapper has only raised him a pound for that effort, and the excellent apprentice Taryn Langley takes a very useful seven pounds off his back. I have been very impressed with what I have seen from Taryn so far, and it should be noted that she has managed to place 35% of her 71 career rides in the first three. Considering he was rated 69 by the handicapper when the Wintle yard took him on, there must be every chance of a productive winter campaign ahead on the all-weather. We will be expecting prominent racers Kingwell and Carey Street to lead, and the selection to be in a nice position tracking the pace. Dangers include Angel Of Antrim who has looked slightly unlucky in his recent all-weather races, and the Heather Main trained Sorontar who has been lightly raced but could be interesting judging by his third place finish behind Daisy Roots at Windsor in September.
0.75pt e/way Ravenglass (13/2 William Hill, 6/1 General) 6.10 Wolverhampton