Three winners in his last four tips, our racing expert is back with four today.
14:15 Chepstow
On the evidence of his two performances at today’s track, GARRANE (best price 7-2) clearly excels over the undulations of the Welsh circuit and following a cracking comeback effort here three weeks ago, Jeremy Scott’s gelding looks primed to go well for the third outing in succession.
A winner over today’s C&D under testing conditions last season, the son of Tikkanen bounced back to something close to his best form on his return visit to his happy hunting ground with an excellent runner-up spot behind the progressive Potters Approach and if it wasn’t for slow jumps at the third and second last, he may well have come away victorious. Sure to be sharper for that initial outing, the form, already boosted by the third Miles To Milan, looks solid in the context of today’s race and under ideal conditions, the six-year-old should be capable of making his presence felt off his current mark.
17:10 Kempton
Headman was massively impressive both visually and on the clock when making a winning debut at Newcastle and looks booked to follow up barring accidents, but the podium finishes are very much up for grabs and having shown a degree of promise in a similar contest on his opening gambit, TE AMO TE AMO (best price 50-1) makes plenty of appeal in the without the favourite market.
As is often the case being from a relatively small stable, Simon Dow’s colt was sent off a big price over today’s C&D on debut and although he failed to trouble the judge, he certainly shaped better than his finishing position suggested. Keeping on well in the latter stages of what looked a smart two-year-old contest on paper, the son of Kyllachy managed to come home in 35 and change from the three-furlong pole and with just normal improvement, he might just be capable of picking up some crumbs left from the plate.
18:30 Dundalk
BEAU WARRIOR (NAP) (best price 5-2) had to do things the hard way and come from off the speed in a slowly-run race here last time out, but in pulling off what seemed an unlikely victory at halfway with a bit to spare, Ado McGuiness’ two-year-old’s performance deserves extra merit and she’s strongly fancied to follow up. Having caught the eye on several previous starts, the daughter of Declaration Of War was well-supported to make a winning nursery debut and although that came to fruition, it didn’t look likely at halfway. Finding herself with plenty to do as the field turned for home, she picked up nicely in the latter stages to win going away and having already beaten several of her main market rivals with a bit to spare, she can confirm the form and continue her progression on a surface that clearly suits.
20:30 Dundalk
SHADOW SEVEN (best price 7-2) is still a maiden after eight starts, but it’s no coincidence that his best performances have arisen from stepping onto today’s surface on his last two outings and it would come as no surprise if Joseph O’Brien’s three-year-old were to make it third time lucky.
Well-backed on his all-weather debut three weeks ago, the son of Mastercraftsman ran a pleasing enough race without totally setting the world alight, but his latest outing was filled with a good deal more promise and it’s that performance which gives him excellent claims here this evening. Towards the rear after a tardy start from his outside post, the four-year-old stayed on best of all in the closing stages to finish a never-nearer third and with a better draw, a cleaner start and a step up in trip all seen as stronger factors in his favour her tonight, it would come as something of a surprise if he wasn’t a major contender at the business end.
