DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
MONDAY FEBRUARY 17
2.05 SOUTHWELL
Apart from a poor showing in a hot handicap at Punchestown last season, IMMORTAL FAME (NAP) (best price 4-1) has hardly put a foot wrong during a two-year period and if the data of his latest display at Uttoxeter is a good guide, Deborah Cole’s gelding looks booked to continue that theme under optimum conditions.
Faced with a persistent challenge by the well-fancied King Arise over the final half a mile at the Midland venue, the nine-year-old never flinched and with his overall speed figure backed up by a final circuit that was significantly quicker than the two-mile handicap, his winning performance carries extra clout.
Since that above-average affair 21 days ago, the third home, Royal Mer, has already gone on to advertise the form and having previously locked horns with the progressive Billytherealbigred, his overall profile makes him a solid proposition to complete his hat trick.
IMMORTAL FAME – 1-point win@4-1
4.25 WOLVERHAMPTON
David Evans has a strong hand in this opening contest and with both KING’S CODE (best price 11-4) and EAGLE DAY (best price 11-2) extremely difficult to split on the pick of the current/best form, the safest option is to play the pair against the field.
They arrive here having contested an extremely strong heat for the grade over today’s C&D last time out and each came out with a good deal of credit in the way they performed on the day.
The latter was responsible for a solid pace at the Dunstall Park venue and although he eventually succumbed to the useful turn of foot displayed by Smart Hero, time may tell there was no disgrace in his fine runner-up spot.
In contrast, stable mate King’s Code was never seen with a winning chance but at the same time he did finish off his race well from the back of the field and although he had his winning run checked, his performance was still a creditable one in the grand scheme of things.
In short, each have an enormous amount of track form to call on and are tactically versatile so whichever way today’s race pans out, they have the game to adapt and make their presence felt.
KING’S CODE – 1-point win@11-4
EAGLE DAY – 1-point win@11-2
4.45 SOUTHWELL
Evan Williams has his team in excellent shape at present and MOUNT WASHINGTON (best price 4-1) can continue the fine run of the Welsh handler following on from his breakthrough win at Plumpton last time out.
By the time the final race rolled around at the Sussex venue, the ground was pretty churned up, so for the best set of figures, both overall and final circuit sectionals, to be achieved by the son of Shirocco puts extra gloss on his performance.
A scopey type with the potential of more to come, the lightly-raced gelding has seemingly been found another decent opportunity to shine and under similar conditions to what he faced last time, there’s a strong possibility he can repeat the dose.
MOUNT WASHINGTON – 1-point win@4-1