Sunday 5 March 2017

Daily write-up - Mar 1st

There are 3 NH meetings this afternoon: at Wincanton, Ffos Las and Musselburgh.

It’s not the most exciting days racing – and I was half tempted to take it off.

However, there’s an eye catcher running at Wincanton – so I had a look at that race.
I then had a look at another race on the Wincanton card – and a couple at Ffos Las.
I stopped at that point !

Here are my findings…


Wincanton

2:40 Pure Vision looks the one to beat in this, based on his win at Lingfield and his second at Uttoxeter.
The Uttoxeter form looks strong in the context of this race and it will be a little surprising if he meets anything of the calibre of the winner of that contest, today.
Pure Vision himself seems to be an improver – and he should be suited by todays trip and ground.
His 2 month absence is a slight concern – but aside from that, there isn’t a lot to dislike about him - other than a price of 2/1…
Based on his most recent run, then Driftwood Haze looks the biggest danger.
He finished strongly in a similar race over todays course and distance – and even off a 3lb higher mark, he is likely to give Pure Vision a race, if he repeats that level of form.
The slight concern with him, is that he may want a bit more of a test…
Town Parks is a potential fly in the ointment, on his handicap debut.
An opening mark of 128 doesn’t look overly generous – but it’s difficult to say for sure.
The market will likely guide on his chances.
The market is also likely to guide on Instagram. He is having his first race from more than a year – but won over hurdles in his native France.
Neither Sleep Easy nor Another Frontier look particularly well handicapped – though both are probably capable of improvement…
In summary, Pure Vision looks the one to beat - provided there is no sinister reason for his absence ! I would expect him to have too much pace for Driftwood Haze.
Town Parks and Instagram could be of some interest – but only if they are subject to  strong market support.

4:40 Lady Longshot was an eye catcher last time, when making her handicap debut at Exeter.
Despite refusing to settle, she still looked to have every chance jumping the last – but her early exertions had taken a toll and she didn’t quite get home…
There is a chance that she will be too keen again today – but the presence of Norphin, will hopefully see the race run at a decent pace.
More than that, Skylark Lady and League of his Own both like to race prominently, so the race really shouldn’t be run at a crawl.
If she does settle, then I think Lady of Longshot will take a lot of beating.
Todays race is a class lower than the Exeter one – and there doesn’t appear much in it for her to worry about it.
Obviously you need to be wary when dealing with class 5 contests – but this one does look hers to lose.
I guess the question is, what’s an acceptable price to justify a risk ?
4/1 seems fair enough to me…


Ffos Las

3:50 An ability to handle bottom-less ground is likely to be required at Ffos Las – and in truth, we won’t know whether some of the runners can do that, until it is too late..
I’m not convinced that Paddys Motorbike will relish the ground. He’s an ex flat horse and 2m4f on heavy ground could well prove too much for him.
Even if it doesn’t he is held on form by Alf ‘N’ Dor on their running over this course in November.
In fairness, Paddys Motorbike might have improved more of the pair – but I would still struggle to side with him, in the circumstances.
Alf ‘N’ Dor himself hasn’t run particularly well on his 2 runs since then – and he can also be taken on…
The one to beat, very much looks to be Way of the World.
He won at Hereford early in January, before running another big race at that course, at the beginning of February.
The ground was desperate that day, so his ability to handle very heavy ground is proven.
He doesn’t look badly handicapped – and could still be progressing.
He sets the standard – but a price of 5/2 in the prevailing conditions (which could result in an element of ‘lottery’) is quite short.
The other one I have to mention, is Kublai…
He’s been in desperate form – and should hate the conditions – but he is potentially spectacularly well handicapped.
If he did bounce back – and did act in the ground – then he could win this doing handsprings.
He is definitely the type who needs to be monitored closely in the betting…

4:20 Again, an ability to act in very heavy ground, is going to be required in this…
I could quite fancy Henllan Harry – but he is unproved in such conditions.
Johns Luck should probably handle the ground OK – but I don’t think his case is compelling enough to make him a 7/4 shot (even with Davy Russell in the saddle !).
Batavir and Maxanisi both also have chances – though they also have question marks over them…
I would struggle to make much of a case for the 2 outsiders – but choosing between the other 4 isn’t easy.
I suspect it is a race best watched…

Best of luck if you do choose to get involved this afternoon.

TVB.




Advice Summary

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Winc 2:40 Pure Vision (P )
Ffos 3:50 Way of the World (P )

Eye Catchers


Winc 4:40 Lady Longshot

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