DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 21
1.50 PUNCHESTOWN
COME ON THE LADS (best price 9-4) ran an eye-catching race in no uncertain terms here last time out and with his trajectory over hurdles suggesting he is going in the right direction; today’s less exalting company should see Gavin Cromwell’s gelding go very close to opening his account.
A long way behind at the Kildare venue at halfway, he made rapid headway to stalk the pace rounding the home turn but understandably, his effort petered out in the closing stages once the laws of science kicked in and, in the end, he had to settle for a minor role.
Clearly the ability he exhibited to get himself on terms is enough to see him land a small contest of some description any time soon and with Whimsy looking the only plausible danger on paper, if he can get the better of her, his wait for his breakthrough success will be a premature one.
COME ON THE LADS – 1-point win@9-4
2.00 EXETER
This might all boil down to previous track experience and KAP VERT (best price 11-4), with a victory and third next to his name here on his two visits, holds a distinct advantage over his main market rivals.
Successful on his first outing at the stiff west country track, taking the notable scalp of the useful Jurancon in the process, Philip Hobbs & Johnson White’s gelding couldn’t quite come to terms with the Peacenik and Crest Of Fortune on his return a month later, but the data suggested it was still a run of some substance.
Slightly below his best at Sandown last time out, at least it was a run that allowed the five-year-old to get a feel of his surroundings before the final of the EBF series next month and with today’s assignment seen as a nice platform for him to put the finishing touches to his ultimate target, he can go back to the Esher venue in good spirits.
KAP VERT – 1-point win@11-4
3.10 WARWICK
CASI CRUDO (best price 4-1) showed much improved form when chasing home Celtic Art and with the data pointing towards his performance being one of some substance, Alex Hales’ inmate is fancied to just come out on top of his dual with Chicago Storm, who had to be considered an unlucky loser at Huntingdon last time out) clipped heels on the home turn).
The feature of his effort at the Midland venue last month was the way he travelled sweetly in behind the strong pace and its hard to pinpoint anything he did that could have done to alter the result – the winner just showed a better turn of foot at a crucial stage.
Indeed, the winner ran the final circuit in the same time as listed mares hero Royale Margaux and a performance along similar lines should see the six-year-old go one place better on his return visit.
CASI CRUDO – 1-point win@4-1
3.40 WARWICK
Casa Loupi arrives here on the verge of a hat trick but there is a chance he might not be so effective away from his beloved Sandown and LANESBOROUGH (NAP) (best price 5-2) could be the one to take advantage of that possibility.
Ben Pauling’s inmate has been a work in progress this season and after several eye-catching displays (particularly the one at Hereford), he looked to be about to finally gain due reward for his endeavours at Chepstow last time only to find the rallying Boyles Hill coming back to spoil the party close home.
The way he travelled before sweeping to the front approaching the last, however, suggested he remains a well handicapped horse and with today’s less demanding surface seen as a vital component to his prospects, the son of Diamond Boy has the qualities to make hay off his current mark.
LANESBOROUGH – 1-point win@5-2