DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SUNDAY JANUARY 5
1.05 PLUMPTON
NARRAGANSETT (best price 11-4) bumped into an above-average type in the shape of Viyanni at Market Rasen on his hurdles debut but based on speed figure he posted in defeat that day, he has a clear form advantage over today’s rivals.
A difficult one to assess following just one run on the Flat for new connections since leaving Andrew Slattery in Ireland, Neil Mulholland’s inmate was settled off the front pair at the Lincolnshire venue with a view to be brought with a late run and as the race developed, he ended up being the other one to offer any resistance to the well-supported favourite in the final half a mile.
Although beaten just over a length 31 days ago, the son of Inns Of Court came out of the contest with the fastest final circuit time of all the runners on the card (10 lengths behind at halfway), and providing conditions aren’t too bad her this afternoon (unproven on testing ground), he has the ability to shake up the front two in the market, either of which posted anything special on the data ion their UK hurdling debuts.
NARRGANSETT – 1-point win@11-4
1.55 NAAS
You do wonder what THE YELLOW CLAY (NAP) (best price 3-1) must do to receive a little more love than he’s been getting but hopefully the dial might change here this afternoon, as he gets a chance to have a crack at Jasmin De Vaux and several other promising novices in this Grade 1 affair.
Not as impressive on the eye as the weight of support in his direction suggested he might be at Navan last time out, the data, however, indicated a slowly-run, tactical affair wouldn’t have played into his strengths.
The fact Gordon Elliott’s gelding still managed to come through with flying colours showed another side to his game in the sense he is by no means a one-pace galloper and that was backed up his final circuit sectionals, which proved to be easily the best on the card.
Two seconds quicker over the 2m4f journey than Jasmin De Vaux who had the luxury of running over half a mile shorter, the data strongly suggest the son of Yeats has developed a deceptively decent engine since last season and this strong stayer at the trip has nothing to fear from any of today’s rivals, including the favourite, who will have to jump better than he did on debut.
THE YELLOW CLAY – 1-point win@3-1
2.05 PLUMPTON
TRANSMISSION (best price 3-1) would already appear to be viable option for one of the big handicap chases at the Cheltenham festival, such is his form over fences this season, but the decision to come here back over hurdles might still turn out to be an inspired one and he deserves to be played accordingly.
Neil Mulholland’s gelding pulled one of the most remarkable victories over today’s C&D last season and he duly followed up that unlikely success on his return visit on his final start of the campaign, thus cementing his love affair for the track.
Since then, the eight-year-old has had three spins over fences and with the latest of them coming via a career high performance on the numbers behind the rapidly improving chaser Haiti Couleurs at Cheltenham, he looks primed to go well again before returning to Prestbury in March for a tilt at an even bigger prize.
TRANSMISSION – 1-point win@3-1
2.20 CHEPSTOW
GYENYAME (best price 10-3) raced like he needed a rocket up his backside at Wincanton last time out but with the first-time blinkers hopefully the catalyst to wake him from his slumber, Joe Tizzard’s inmate is given another chance to back up the impression he created at Exeter previously.
After totally bossing his previous start at Exeter, it was little wonder he was a short price favourite to repeat the dose off what appeared a favourable mark at the west country venue a month later but right from the word go, the son of Nathaniel lacked the intensity which allowed him to post such a big number on just his second outing over fences.
Missing the break and jumping the first two slowly didn’t help his cause, admittedly, and from that point he was always behind the eight ball, but to his great credit, he did keep on galloping resolutely in the final mile to salvage something from the wreckage and there was enough in that late work for his supporters today to keep the faith.
GYENYAME – 1-point win@10-3
2.55 CHEPSTOW
DANGEROUS TOUCH (best price 13-2) lacked the basic speed in the latter stages of an above-average novice even at Warwick last time out, but it was a display that at least served the purpose of getting him handicapped and off what appears a reasonable opening mark. Olly Murphy’s gelding can make an immediate impact in his new discipline.
Never a factor on his first two starts over hurdles, he raced with a good deal more alertness at the Midland venue and there was certainly no shame in getting beaten 14 lengths by Castle Ivers, who may turn out to be top class.
Moreover, both the second and third from that useful contest have since gone on to boost the form/speed figure and having finished runner-up in a soft ground Irish point, there’s every hope he will improve for today’s step up in trip and conditions.
DANGEROUS TOUCH – ½ point each-way@13-2