The list to follow is having a poor run at present. I was interested to see that Penzance drifted from 4/1 out to 9/1 and ran disappointingly in the handicap hurdle at Cheltenham.
I see that Mr Sandicliffe runs in the 1.30 at Newmarket. I featured this horse a number of times last season when he could never quite get his head in front. He ended the season with form figures of 222224, and one of those seconds was at 33/1. He ought to win this but that row of 2s is always a worry.
In the 2.00 I will be watching the progress of King’s Bastion. This one is by Royal Applause who has a good strike rate with his progeny. The dam is a half sister to the high class Attraction. The trainer does not have a good record with first time out juveniles however.
City of Troy was an impressive winner of his first two starts lasts season before coming 4th on his last run when possibly not suited by the ground. K Fallon rides him in the 3.10 Craven Stakes. Trainer has a good record in this race.
We have 3 runners from the list to follow in the 3.45. Atlantic Waves was a most impressive winner on his debut last season at Leicester where yesterday’s winner Speciosa was 3rd. Although he was a slightly disappointing 5th next time he still looks one to follow. Olympian Oddyssey won at the 3rd time of asking last season when encountering soft ground at Newmarket. He had Degas Art in second that day and looks capable of going on to better things. Morghim won his only start, again at Newmarket. Is well bred and displayed a pleasing attitude.
Our 2 runners in the 4.20 are King Orchisios and Bouboulina. Bouboulina looked potentially very smart when winning a Lingfield maiden in October. King Orchisios also won his only start as a juvenile, making all in a maiden at Haydock.
At Cheltenham Florida Dream runs in the 2.55. He is a full brother to Florida Pearl and although not having his illustrious brother’s talent has been a very successful horse to follow winning at 20/1 and 8/1. Likes to make the running and does not lack for courage.
Pennyrose Bay carried top weight in the handicap hurdle at 3.30. It is a little surprising to see her back over hurdles after she made quite a promising start to her chasing career at Stratford last month. Perhaps connections want to preserve her novice status for next season. Anyway Richard Johnson has the ride and not without a chance.
We have no fewer than 5 runners in the 4.40. Lord Sam, Standin’ Obligation, Rowley Hill, Rimsky and Heltornic. All have questions to answer really and none comes into this in the best of form.
5.45 Inherent is the only Elite Racing Club runner today. Winner of a small bumper lat time but this is a much better race.
Ripon 2.45 Rydale Ovation won a 5F Redcar maiden nicely last season.
4.30 Conkering has shown enough in 3 starts to put him in the picture for a race of this type.
5.05 Peppertree Lane looks the likely answer to get off the mark here after a couple of thirds in decent company.
5.35 Legal Set is on a 27 race losing run. Well drawn but someway out of the handicap.
ahorse 