DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
MONDAY FEBRUARY 10
2.30 CATTERICK
MELUSINE DU PAIL (best price 8-1) was still very much in contention when getting completely wiped out heading down the back straight for the final time at Fakenham last time out and in what looks a much weaker race on paper, Noel Willaims’ mare can gain some sort of compensation on the long trip up north.
Subsequent listed chase winner Telepathique ensured the gallop was honest at the Norfolk venue, so there was no margin for error, and because of the interference she suffered, she had zero chance of getting back into the contest once molested.
Better judged on her previous two performances when third both times, the figures she compiled indicate she has brighter prospects of success here than her position in the market suggests and whether he goes close or not will probably all boil down to her staying behind three miles on her first attempt.
MELUSINE DU PAIL – ½ point each-way@8-1 (three places)
3.00 CATTERICK
HAARAR (NAP) (best price 11-4) can count himself slightly unfortunate not to land a similar contest to the one he faces today at Carlisle last time out and he is strongly fancied to make amends at a track that should play more into his strengths.
Easing to the front on the run to two out at the Cumbrian venue, it looked for all the world Sam England’s gelding was going to oblige until along came Golden Maverick (ran an extraordinary final three furlongs on the sectionals) from out of the clouds to spoil the party close home.
Well clear of the rest, the six-year-old did everything right bar win and, with the speed figure from that contest also backing up the view it was by some way a career high effort, compensation awaits him on today’s flatter, more speed-based track.
HAARAR – 1-point win@11-4
3.15 PLUMPTON
CONFINENTIC (best price 9-4) ran out a game winner over today’s course on just third career start here last time out and there is every reason to feel upbeat about his chances of making an immediate impact on handicap debut.
Shadowing every move made by the well fancied Fromheretoeternity at the Sussex venue two months ago, Chris Gordon’s inmate looked to be fighting a losing battle on the run down to two out, but rallying well to the cause, he rolled his sleeves up from that juncture to eventually run down the front runner.
In posting a decent speed figure, he left the impression he will be better suited to further in due course and with connections giving him ample time to get over those previous exertions, a return to the same venue over 2m4f all add up for another positive outcome.
CONFINENTIC – 1-point win@9-4