DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 13
1.55 SANDOWN
Issam isn’t the biggest, but he does jump a fence well for a small horse and he was quite impressive when scoring on chase debut at Exeter last month. The big question is whether he can adapt his game to today’s jumping test and, more to the point, up against MOUNT TEMPEST (best price 15-8), who is already proven around the Esher slopes as a dual C&D winner.
Dan Skelton’s inmate first showed a liking to the track when capturing a handicap chase on just his third start over fences a year ago and although he was beaten here in the interim, he bounced back to his best form on his return visit last time out.
Jumping well throughout the two-mile journey, the eight-year-old had the race in safe keeping from two out and despite idling on the run up hill to the line, his victory had to be described as a cosy one.
A specialist over today’s trip and with his main market rival arguably better over slightly further, the son of Walk In The Park can use his all-round pace to good use over a course that clearly plays to his strengths.
MOUNT TEMPEST – 1-point win@15-8
2.15 NEWCASTLE
MISTER SMARTY (best price 6-1) wouldn’t score very high on the race IQ jump data, but he does have a decent engine in between flights and providing his suspect technique can hold firm to a reasonable level, Tina Jackson’s gelding has the capabilities to record C&D win number two.
The old saying “jumps like a snooker table” couldn’t be anymore apt regarding this son of Black Sam Bellamy but his tendency to drag his hind legs through a hurdle didn’t prevent him from scoring with a good deal of panache here three starts ago.
Following up with an equal amount of comfort at Wetherby next time, he was tried over 2m4f back at Gosforth Park last month and for nine tenths of the journey he looked like completing the hat trick until his stamina well ran dry.
Back over the optimum trip and off a mark which is still probably south of his true worth, the eight-year-old chestnut is expected to swoop to conquer at the business end.
MISTER SMARTY – 1-point each-way@6-1
2.20 CLONMEL
THE DAWN (best price 12-1) has been a work in progress over the last 18 months or so and it can’t be too long before the fruits of his labours are rewarded – today being as good a chance as any to finally get his head in front.
Ever since he caught the eye in a massive way in a maiden hurdle won by D Art D Art at Cork, Liam Burke’s inmate has left the impression there are races to be won with him and his two performance this season have gone a long way to back up that view.
Shaping as though badly in need of the run after a 358-day absence at Limerick back in December, the six-year-old went on to finish a respectable third in a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse last time out and that effort should turn out to be a decent platform from which to build.
Although he is dropping back in trip here today, he has displayed the sort of cruising speed to suggest he can cope with two miles and in a race that doesn’t contain any superstars, it wouldn’t be a massive shock if he were to come up trumps at rewarding odds.
THE DAWN – ½ point each-way@12-1