DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SUNDAY JANUARY 19
12.45 WINDSOR
BLUEY (best price 6-1) may not have as sexy a profile as some in this contest, but she does have a likeable way of going and her victory in a smart speed figure last time gives connections and her supporters hope that she can easily rise to the challenge of this step up in class this race represents.
Seemingly not staying the extended 2m3f at Ludlow after being keen in the early stages on her seasonal bow, Emma Lavelle’s inmate was understandably dropped back to the minimum trip at Wincanton last time out and, setting a decent pace from the outset, she readily brushed aside several highly touted individuals from powerful stables.
Using the third-placed horse home that day, Walkadina (rated 120), she probably ran to a mark that day at least in the mid-130’s, so even though the handicapper failed to come to the same conclusion giving her only 117, there’s a decent chance she will prove way better than her original assessment, starting today in this smart mares’ hurdle.
BLUEY – 1-point win@6-1
2.05 THURLES
Without any doubt, there are several who arrive her with questionable profiles of late but that doesn’t appear to be the case as far as FILS DOR (best price 11-2) is concerned and he rates a strong each-way option over a track that witnessed him victorious just two runs ago.
Winning as his prohibitive odds suggested here two months ago, Gordon Elliott’s inmate has since gone on to chase home the useful Jungle Boogie at Ascot and in the scheme of things, that effort represents a decent level of form in the context of today’s race.
His performance when chasing home Saint Sam at Clonmel on his seasonal bow also reads well and this consistent performer at Grade 2 level should give another solid account.
FILS DOR – 1-point each-way@11-2
3.20 FAKENHAM
A good turnout for the final of this Boudica Mares’ series and TELEPATHIQUE (best price 7-2) and GAZETTE BOURGEOISE (best price 6-1) look strong contenders’ basis of their current from and suitability to today’s C&D.
First and foremost, they have both tasted success around the tight, left-handed circuit and the first time that fact arose was when they clashed at the Norfolk venue back in October. On that occasion, the former came out the better of the exchanges with an 11-length success and since then, Lucy Wadham’s inmate has gone to score again and finish a creditable runner-up at listed level.
Meanwhile, the latter has gradually warmed to her task as the season has progressed and her latest effort resulted in a smooth success after a wind operation.
As they both like to be handily ridden, expected the pair to be right on the gallop behind likely front runner So Said I and it will be a massive shock if one of the pair, if not both, are fighting for top honours in the final analysis.
TELEPATHIQUE – 1-point win@7-2
GAZETTE BOURGEOISE – 1-point win@6-1
3.40 WINDSOR
ZERKTAT (best price 4-1) has shaped nicely on both his two starts so far this season and even though today’s test represents a severe step up in trip, he looks the type to really thrive in this sort of event.
Venetia Williams’ inmate did all his best work at the finish on his seasonal bow over 2m4f here a month ago and 13 days later, he once again caught the eye with the work he did in the closing stages of a competitive novices’ handicap at Newbury behind the talented all the way winner, Inthewaterside.
Posting a useful speed figure in defeat that day, he left the distinct impression distances north of three miles are going to see him in a better light and now heading back to a circuit where he is the only one in today’s field with previous experience, the seven-year-old can put that knowledge to good use.
ZERKTAT – 1-point win@4-1