An agonising nose second prevented another double figure priced winner yesterday from the micro angles but that is racing! It would have made it another solid day but in the end it was not…
The Shortlist…
2.55 Towcester – Cosway Spirit – runs for Ben Pauling here who is 5/9, 7 places with handicap chasers at the track, 3 of those with this horse. Trainer and Jockey are 5/8, 7 places in handicaps at the track. If he had a run he would be a confident enough pick in this race – fitness is the only question. Given the oppo I think 4s allows a small play to find out. He could get an easy enough lead and should run well up until the final fence at least, before lack of sharpness may come into play. If he is tuned up he wont be far away.
3.15 Ludlow – a great little handicap chase and the kind I relish attacking – but more so when most horses have had a run under their belt. This is a head scratcher and I have had a good look at it. At the prices I like King Massini 7/1 and Firm Order 12/1. There is a lot of pace on paper and these two should track it. King Massini has won fresh and the Trainer/Jockey are 6/30, 13 places with handicap chasers here, solid enough. Firm Order has the ability to win this and has won fresh, the trainer is also in good form. Best Boy Barney looks handicapped up to his best but will try and give it a good go up front. Rio Milan has stamina questions, 0/6, 0 places chasing beyond 20f to date. Allthekings horses I think needs further. Sybarite is unexposed and is a C2 hurdler, but is 0/6, 1 place chasing. This is his first chase over this far which may make the difference but still some questions. Azure Fly has stamina to prove but is unexposed and will be fit. Dreamsoftheatre is 0/3, 0 places at track over fences and 0/4, 1 place RH in chases. There are a few chinks and reasons to take him on I think. He could be a summer jumper coming up against hardened winter horses here. Lemon Bay is unexposed but steps up in class and won at Southwell LTO, not sure how strong that form is. Other two have quite a bit to prove. Really I should have a watching brief for this one but I couldn’t resist a small interest.
8.55 Kempton – Miss J Ellis is 2/8, 4 places at the track and Shahrazad looked interesting. She is 0/4, 0 places with this horse but he is a CD winner and is handicapped to go close. He ran well LTO and the drop in trip will suit for this prominent racer. I don’t think he will be far away and 8/1 was fair.
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Micro Angles…
Fahey 2yo (16/1 or under)
2.30 Nott – Celebration
Emma Lavelle (14/1 or under)
5.35 Lud – Taras Honour
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Good Luck