Three bets from Andy today, including another strongly-fancied Irish raider at Dunstall Park.
3.20 Wolverhampton
Dark Destroyer probably has the most scope and natural ability of this field but his troublesome draw out on the wing may turn out to be a great leveller, so with that in mind, SIDEWINDER (best price 11-4) makes for a solid alternative at slightly more rewarding odds. Although yet to win a race in nine starts, Tom Dascombe’s inmate has shown a fair level of form on both surfaces without getting his head in front and, given that arguably his best two performances have taken place at today’s track, hopes are high that he can finally shed the maiden tag. Runner-up to the useful Expresso Freddo over the C&D back in January, the son of Majestic Missile posted a career-high effort when returning to the Dunstall park venue on his latest start when finishing a creditable third behind George Scott’s progressive three-year-old Gilgamesh. The feature of that race 17 days ago was the strong time figure compared to the rest of the card and if he can break well and hold his position from stall one going into the first curb, that early manoeuvre should allow him to be ultra-competitive throughout.
3.50 Wolverhampton
As proved once again by Bottleofsmoke here yesterday, the Irish raiders – particularly those that have run at Dundalk – are mopping up at this venue and, having already scored at the Dunstall Park track last time out, SHAMASH (best price 11-8) is strongly fancied to follow up his recent success. Always travelling like a winner 10 days ago, John McConnell’s inmate only had to be nudged out in the closing stages once assuming command rounding the home turn and, with his sectional times pointing towards him getting stronger as the race developed that day, confidence is high that he will prove even more effective over an extra two furlongs.
4.00 Hexham
GIBBSTOWN (best price 4-1) has a fair record at today’s track throughout her career (form figures of 141143), and with most of those best performances also coming at this time of year, it all adds up for a decent display from Paul Stafford’s charge this afternoon. Winner of this race twelve months ago, the daughter of Bob Back warmed up nicely for repeat bid with a sound effort at Towcester last time out and with testing conditions very much in her favour, it’s hard to see her not giving another solid account.
