DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 15
1.03 WINCANTON
SLIDE RULE (best price 7-1) has always had the look of a horse who might well be better served by running in handicaps and with today’s first examination of that theory arguably not the strongest on paper, the six-year-old makes plenty of appeal at the morning odds.
Ultimately, Tom Lacey’s inmate just hasn’t had the basic speed to cope with several useful and speedier types on his three starts over hurdles to date, but he has kept on well sufficiently enough in the closing stages each time to suggest stiffer examinations might prove a different kettle of fish.
Last time out at Taunton, for instance, he looked like dropping out the back of the telly turning for home, but he stayed on nicely from two out without being duly punished and having been handed a workable opening mark of 105, a more prominent display should be forthcoming from this future chasing type.
SLIDE RULE – 1/2- point each-way@7-1
1.28 HAYDOCK
GIBBS ISLAND (best price 4-1) created a favourable impression when getting the better of the useful filly Surrey Belle on his hurdles debut at Sedgefield last month and with the runner-up going on to boost the form next time out, confidence is high Tom Lacey’s inmate can follow suit.
A useful, mid-80’s performer on the Flat for Andrew Oliver in Ireland, the four-year-old was snaffled up 70k by new connections to be a dual-purpose horse for his popular syndicate and on the evidence of his opening gambit at the Durham venue, he looks to be a very shrewd purchase.
Settling well in behind the pace set by his more experience market rival 20 days ago, the son of Iffraaj loomed up going best at the top of the hill and despite not making a great shape at either of the last two flights, he had the necessary pace to come out on top with a bit to spare.
Time figure-wise, his effort was an above average one for a race of its kind and with conditions likely to suit him more than today’s favourite, Marche D’Aligre, his proven Flat speed might well prove the key component to success.
GIBBS ISLAND – 1-point win@4-1
2.25 ASCOT
ALTOBELLI (best price 4-1) has struck up a real affinity for today’s course and following a game victory over the C&D last time out, it makes sense to stay loyal to Harry Fry’s gelding on his return visit.
Shaping as though requiring further than two miles on his first two outings at the Berkshire venue, the son of Maxios was duly upped in trip here last month and despite hitting a bit of a flat spot rounding the home turn, he stayed on best all of all to gain a deserved success.
Seemingly still south of his maximum potential based on the speed figure he posted 28 days ago, the cheekpieces which were more than a bit-part player in his career high data are retailed and with conditions set to ride in his favour, the lightly raced seven-year-old can further enhance his track stats.
ALTOBELLI – 1-point win@4-1
2.40 HAYDOCK
BOTOX HAS (best price 11-4) landed this prize in emphatic fashion last year and following a much more encouraging display at Cheltenham last time out, Gary & Josh Moore’s inmate looks poised to repeat the dose.
The Moore team have had to really suffer this season but, along with this nine-year-old, they seem to have come through the other side and in finishing a creditable third in the Cleeve Hurdle 21 days ago, he now has something to build on for the rest of the campaign.
Unlike his first two outings this term, he didn’t finish in a heap and now returning to a venue where he is unbeaten in two previous starts, the son of Dream Well can maintain that fine record in a race which is effectively his Stayers’ Hurdle.
BOTOX HAS – 1-point win@11-4
3.50 HAYDOCK
KEPLER’S LAW (best price 6-1) produced a performance of some magnitude at Leicester last time out and, based on the evidence of his wide margin win at the Midland venue, he looks well worth a shot at today’s better opposition.
Laura Morgan’s inmate had kept good company on his first two outings under rules since joining current connections and he looked to have been found a decent opportunity to shed his maiden tag. However, no one could have anticipated his 30-length romp over the useful Barlovento and considering he achieved that feat despite being heavily eased on the run-in, his performance deserved even more merit.
Moreover, his final circuit time was 4.3 seconds quicker than anything else on the card and with the potential of even more to come, this strappy chasing type rates an extremely exciting prospect not only for today but particularly going forward.
KEPLER’S LAW – 1-point each-way@6-1
