Andy Holding is back with four tips for today's action, including a NAP at Wolverhampton.
14:25 Sandown
The race won by Blow Your Wad was noted for its strong numbers compared to the two Grade 1’s on the same card and with KOTMASK (best price 4/1) having played a pivotal role in the finish at the Sunbury venue, Gary Moore’s inmate can enhance his stable’s excellent record in chases around today’s track.
Still in contention leaving the back straight 31 days ago, the six-year-old held every chance on the run to the last but at that point he became short of room up the inside and, a little unsighted, he made a crucial error that finally put a nail in his coffin.
To be fair, that wasn’t the first mistake he’d made on the 2m4f journey but as his technique was put under maximum pressure in a race run at such a strong gallop, a small amount of slack can be afforded in that department.
Going as well as anything when overjumping and unseating rider on his previous visit here a month ago, hopefully this time he can stay on his feet and in a race that looks bound to be strongly run, his stamina can come into play at the business end.
14:45 Sedgefield
HORN CAPE (best price 11/4) has been in a rich vein of form in recent times and with one of his better performances coming over today’s C&D, a return to the Durham venue can see him supplement Newcastle gains from last time.
A convincing winner back in November, he was well supported to repeat the dose on his return visit but up against proven stayer Special Rate, he plain and simply just didn’t see out the extra half a mile as well as his main market rival.
Back over his optimum trip at Newcastle last time out, Ben Haslam’s grey was back to his silky-smooth best and with the time figure he posted in victory that day suggesting he is still improving, he should take all the beating back around a track he knows well.
18:15 Wolverhampton
INTERVENTION (best price 4/1) has reeled off some incredible numbers in victory and defeat during the winter’s all-weather campaign and with his latest effort suggesting he’s showing no signs of stopping, Michael Appleby’s gelding can maintain his amazing string of results.
Although his winning spree has came to an end here two starts ago, his effort based on the clock at Southwell last time suggested he ran as well as he ever has and considering he achieved that feat from gate 13, his performance deserves extra merit.
A keen going sort, he is arguably at his best when given a lead rather than having to row his own boat and with Rousing Encore likely to offer him an opportunity to take the former option, the son of Swiss Spirit can give in another good lash at a track where he has enjoyed plenty of success in the past.
19:15 Wolverhampton
CRAFTER (NAP) (best price 9/4) had his most recent C&D effort boosted by third-placed Carey Street last week and a run of a similar standard should be good enough to see Mark Loughnane’s gelding follow suit.
A narrow margin winner off a 75-day break here a month ago, the six-year-old was a warm order to repeat the dose on his return visit two weeks later and although he was given a similarly confident ride, he had the misfortune to bump into a well-handicapped three-year-old in the shape of Shaheen Saqaar. That said, he did manage to post his best speed figure so far to date and with the pair well clear of the rest, the form looks good in context of tonight’s race.
Being a horse who prefers to be held up, he will obviously need a certain amount of luck in running and how the race pans out but there’s no doubt if things do go his way, he has easily enough ability to take care of this sort of opposition based on his previous data at the track.
