DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
MONDAY JANUARY 6
6.30 WOLVERHAMPTON
ROYAL ZABEEL (best price 3-1) disposed of a useful field at Southwell last time out in the style of one that could easily have more to come, and Michael Appleby’s gelding is fancied to back up that view on his first run over tonight’s track.
Runner-up at Newcastle on his first start for new connections previously, the son of Mastercraftsman was nicely supported to go one place better a month later and he didn’t provide his backers with too many anxious moments.
Breaking well to track the decent tempo set by Master Richard and Zip, he arrived at the two-furlong pole travelling well and once the button was pressed, he was away and gone in a flash.
On the evidence of the clock, his performance was well above average for the grade and with the likes of Alzahir, So Quiet and Documenting all going on to boost the form subsequently, the four-year-old is strongly fancied to tread a similar path.
ROYAL ZABEEL – 1-point win@3-1
8.30 WOLVERHAMPTON
DESIDERATA (NAP) (best price 13-8) ran out quite an impressive winner on his first outing for new connections over tonight’s course two days ago and considering all his best work was in the final two furlongs, he rates a strong choice to prove an even greater force over 1m4f.
Sent off 66-1 at the Midland circuit with no real form to shout about, a slow start from the outside gate that left him passing the winning line first time in last place and even leaving the abck straight, he still plenty left on his plate.
However, Thomas Faulkner’s inmate soon made up the lost ground and once engaging top gear approaching the two-furlong pole, he picked up in impressive style to pull right away to the tune of three lengths.
Although the overall speed figure he posted was just average rather than spectacular, it’s interesting to note his final three furlong split of 36.0 was better than other two round track winners, 82-rated Roaring Legend (36.2) and 83-rated Smart Hero (36.3), which puts quite a bit of extra gloss on his performance.
For a 47-rated horse to achieve those numbers on just his second start at the track is no mean feat and it’s doubtful any of tonight’s rivals will match that change of gear. Likely to be ridden in similarly patient fashion on his return visit, expect him to arrive on the scene rounding the home bend going well and from that point, he just needs a clear run to the line to claim victory.
DESIDERATA – 2-points win@13-8