Four selections today from our racing expert.
13:00 Hereford
THE WIRE FLYER (best price 17-2) improved dramatically when encountering soft ground for the first time at Ffos Las on his latest outing and a repeat of somewhere near that level of form should be good enough for him to be a contender in this similar heat this afternoon.
100-1 and only showing a modicum of ability on fast ground first time over hurdles at Exeter a month ago, John Flint’s gelding raised his game to a whole new level at the Welsh track a month later and with the time figure of the race saying that the performance in no way should be regarded as a fluke, then there’s every chance he will go well again if the numbers don’t lie. The mere fact that hot favourite, Prudhomme (sent off 2-7) couldn’t go the pace in the closing stages is testimony to the tempo in the final half a mile and take away hot favourite Olly The Brave, today’s contest looks up for grabs.
17:40 Kempton
JUAN LES PINS (best price 17-2) shaped with plenty of encouragement on all-weather debut over tonight’s course last time out and he makes plenty of appeal as the strong each-way alternative to the favourite.
Too green to do himself justice on the turf at Newbury on debut, Ed Walker’s colt clearly learnt plenty from that initial outing based on his overall performance at the Surrey venue a month later. Although unable to go with the front two in the closing stages 48 days ago, he still clocked an impressive last three-furlong sectional in his own right and that ability to quicken at pace should prove to be a useful weapon against many who haven’t even set foot on a track here this evening.
19:10 Kempton
Sarim ran out a decent winner over tonight’s course last time out, but the time figure wasn’t anything special and he’s passed over in favour of TOROCHICA (best price 7-2) and EXCEEDING POWER (best price 10-1).
The former had to be marked up as an unlucky loser at Chelmsford last week and this lightly-raced filly will surely take high rank on the evidence of that display. Held up well off the pace turning for home, the daughter of Toronado didn’t get going until it was too late thanks to being tight for room at a crucial stage, but the way she finished off her race very much suggested she’s one to follow. Likely to be suited by extra distance and, more importantly, tonight’s longer home straight, John Best’s filly can start making up for lost time.
The form of the London Middle Distance Series qualifier here on October 31 was well and truly advertised in the final by Good Tidings and Creationist last week and having run so well to finish a creditable seventh, the latter makes plenty of appeal in this slightly weaker affair.
Handy from the start in what turned out to be an extremely strongly run contest, Martin Bosley’s inmate found himself short of room at a crucial stage down the straight and although he didn’t have the tactical speed to hold his position, he kept on well to finish on the coat tails of the main players once back out in the clear. A dual C&D winner off similar marks in the past, the son of Exceed And Excel looks overpriced based on the time figure he knocked out here 27 days ago.
