Horse Racing Preview Wednesday 21st May 2008
RACING PREVIEW – WEDNESDAY 21st MAY – AYR, GOODWOOD, KELSO
GOODWOOD
2:50 David Wilson Homes Stakes (Registered As The Cocked Hat Stakes), Listed Race, Colts & Geldings, 1m 3f
Trainer Mick Channon has won this event for the past two seasons and has two runners: Siberian Tiger (12/1) graduated from handicaps, claiming Listed honours at Pontefract last season, and a fine fourth at Newmarket back in handicap company last time. Plenty on at the weights and pedigree suggests longer trip may not be ideal. Meeriss (10/1) Regularly front-runs under Darryll Holland and nicked a Listed race over 1m here in September. Disappointed in similar company over this trip at Hamilton last week and looks up against it. Whistledownwind (15/8) just failed, by a neck, to peg back Centennial in Group 3 Classic Trial at Sandown on reappearance. Said to have improved since at home and thought likely to progress as the campaign unfolds.
4:00 Height of Fashion Stakes, Listed Race, Fillies, 1m 1f 192y
Jazz Jam (12/1) is progressing nicely and was convincing winner of Listed 1m event on AW at Kempton on seasonal debut. Sixth horse home did win Italian Group 3 last weekend but needs to improve for step up in trip. Don’t Forget Faith (11/2) wasn’t disgraced when third in Listed event at Newmarket when stepped up to 1m2f last time. Serious contender if back at best, but reportedly unsuited by fast ground when long way behind Celtic Slipper in last year’s May Hill and wouldn’t want conditions to dry out further. Rosaleen (11/2) has progressed well, justifying favouritism in 1m conditions event on soft at Ascot after honourable 33-1 fourth in 7f Nell Gwyn at Newmarket. Trainer thinks there’s more to come from her and she’s weighted with prospects of reversing last year’s 7f form here with Celtic Slipper.
AYR
3:10 See Status Quo Live 24th May Fillies’ Handicap, Class 5, 1m
Hula Ballew (11/8) has a decent strike-rate and confirmed her wellbeing with creditable second on ground softer than ideal at Pontefract last time; 5lb lower than for last success, in form and obvious claims back amongst her own sex. Twilight Dawn (9/2)
Showed nothing in two runs for Mark Johnston as a juvenile but winning start for new connections at Newcastle last month. No show on handicap debut last time (very testing ground) and may be capable of better still. Flying Valentino (7/2) was a little disappointing last year, given the smooth manner of her juvenile success, but well treated on the pick of her efforts and does stay this far; may have a bit more to come and respected.
3:45 DM Hall Handicap, Class 3, 5f
River Thames (4/1) was a useful juvenile and developed into a decent handicapper last summer, winning comfortably here over 6f. Better than the bare Thirsk result and expected to go well this time. Curtail (5/1) put up a game effort to score at Wolverhampton on final start in 2007 and March’s return to action was better than the result suggests (poorly drawn); has won over C&D but possibly better at 6f these days and needs a good test at this trip. Tabaret (4/1) hasn’t won since his juvenile days but dropping down the weights and he shaped well at York last time. Will pop up at some stage and with conditions to suit, not the biggest surprise were it to be here.
KELSO
4:10 For All Walks Of Life Handicap Chase, Class 3, 2m 1f
Mirage Dore (9/4) is a progressive performer who followed two novice successes by finishing third to Tartan Snow here a fortnight ago; longer trip and quicker ground in his favour and 4lb better with that rival so every chance he can reverse the placings. Storymaker (3/1) gained all last year’s 3 wins in the mud but showed he could act on good ground, at least, when bouncing back from a couple of modest efforts to finish close fourth in competitive Aintree event 12 days ago; raised 3lb for that but may prove up to it as he has a generally progressive profile.
Tartan Snow (11/4) has notched both wins here and showed no ill effects from a previous heavy fall when beating Mirage Dore over shorter trip two weeks ago; step up in distance definitely in his favour but has no real experience of quick ground. Shoudawoudacouda (7/2) has yet to win but has gone close a few times, none more so than when touched off in a better handicap at Chepstow in January; back from a spell in the doldrums when runner-up in a claimer recently and perhaps blinkers, replacing usual cheekpieces, can give him that extra zip. Lethem Air (16/1) hasn’t really convinced with either effort since reverting to hurdles the last twice; this is his ground and stays well but will need to produce more to worry the others.
5:20 Charlie Brown United Border Hunters’ Chase, Class 5, 3m 1f
Anshan Spirit (11/10) has won the last two runnings of this event and, having made a rather slow beginning to current campaign, routed Gangsters R Us in a point ten days ago; likes fast ground and versatile with regard to tactics so every chance of the hat-trick. Granoski Gala (9/4) is a prolific scorer in points and beat a big field when landing a hunter chase 12 months ago; late to appear this year but won at Mosshouses recently (slower time than Anshan Spirit on the same card); reportedly needed that outing and can certainly make her presence felt.
Related Articles:
Comments
Got something to say?
£10 Free Bet bonus for World Cup
Today’s Racing
All the Bookies
Top Commentators
As a thank you to those who leave comments on articles, we list the 10 most active commentators here:- Soccer Tip (1)
- thisperson (1)
- World Cup Betting (1)
