DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SATURDAY JANUARY 11
1.45 FARYHOUSE
MIDNIGHT IT IS (best price 6-1) looked on good terms with himself when making a successful reappearance at Navan last time out and having already proven he can handle today’s C&D on his previous outing, Gavin Cromwell’s gelding can complete his hat trick.
The nine-year-old went through the race run at a strong gallop (smart time figure) at the Meath venue with plenty of swagger and even though he hadn’t run for 323 days previously, you wouldn’t have been able to tell such was the way he hit the line.
Obviously, today’s race represents a different challenge to the one he faced a month ago but with strong possibility he has plenty more left in the tank, the son of Midnight Legend can still prove a thorn in the side to the assessor.
MIDNIGHT IT IS – 1-point each-way@6-1
1.51 FFOS LAS
DANGEROUS TOUCH (best price 3-1) 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 – 1-point win@3-1
2.25 FFOS LAS
DOUBLE CLICK (best price 8-1) has a nasty habit of giving himself plenty to do in his races but with today’s step up in trip likely to provide him more time to find his feet, Jamie Snowden’s gelding looks set to easily outrun his odds.
The seven-year-old seems to be getting lazier the older he gets (aren’t we all!) and that trait has cost him dear in his last two starts. At Leicester on his first start for 200 days, he rushed home from the back of the field to finish a never-nearer third to the useful Hara Kiri and although visibility was reduced to a minimum at Chepstow last time out, he once again did all his best work in the final half a mile when it was all too late.
Not only will the rhythm of today’s race allow him to hopefully stay in touch with the main players, but the long home also straight on tiring ground should see him in his element and having already proven himself around the Welsh venue with a victory over two miles in the past, his return visit can reap similar rewards.
DOUBLE CLICK – ½ point each-way@8-1
5.30 WOLVERHAMPTON
HEAVENLY FIRE (best price 4-1) finally gained due reward for a series of positive results in defeat when scoring in tidy fashion over today’s C&D in midweek and with connections quick to spot the potential to strike while the iron is hot, Scott Dixon’s filly is strongly fancied to provide City Cyclone with more to think about than the market suggests.
Dismissed in the pre-race market four days ago, despite finishing ahead of Pessoa on her previous start, the daughter of Harry Angel bided her time in the rear at the Dunstall venue while the pace was intense up front and when the tempo inevitably collapsed in the closing stages, she came sweeping through from the back of the field with a well-timed challenge to eventually power clear.
Clocking a very fast time for the grade, she would ideally require a similar scenario for her to be equally effective but with Van Zant in the field likely to adopt his usually role, everything should set up nicely for the four-year-old to pick up the pieces again late on.
HEAVENLY FIRE – 1-point win@4-1
8.30 WOLVERHAMPTON
FINN RUSSELL (best price 5-1) arrives here following a career high victory on the figures over tonight’s course and even though he faces a slightly different test over a furlong shorter, this previous C&D winner is fancied to prove equal to the task.
Ian Williams’ inmate does have a tendency to pull hard in his races and that trait was in evidence at the Dunstall venue 15 days ago but despite expending energy, he still had the reserves when required in the latter stages to fend off the late rattle of Master Of Combat.
Reliant on a strong pace, just as he was here last time, he should get all the assistance he needs presuming Kit Gabriel adopts a similar role to what he did when winning last time out and despite the competitive nature of tonight’s line-up, he is fancied to hit the frame at the very least.
FINN RUSSELL – 1-point each-way@5-1