DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 25
2.30 CATTERICK
UPFORDEBATE (NAP) (best price 11-4) reacted well to the first-time tongue tie when scoring tidily at Ayr last time out and with the data he produced suggesting he overperformed for a horse of his rating, Patrick Neville’s gelding can strike again for his local handler.
Admittedly, it wasn’t a great card at the Scottish venue two weeks ago, but his overall time over the and final lap sectionals over the 2m4f journey were better than The Jeweller’s Pet (won since) and most notably, Jeune Prince (rated 112), so it’s safe to say for a horse rated just 86, it wasn’t a bad effort by any means.
Very strong in the latter stages of that well run affair, to come out of the contest with his rating only marginally tweaked must be deemed as daylight robbery and even though he looks the type who may do better over further in time, he has enough qualities at this level to make hay for the time being.
UPFORDEBATE – 1-point win@11-4
5.30 WOLVERHAMPTON
HARLINGTON (best price 5-2) didn’t have the legs of the in-form High Court Judge over today’s C&D last time out, but it was another performance to add to the list of consistent efforts by Joe Tickle’s inmate and he is worth keeping on side on his return to the Dunstall venue in a race where he stands out on account of reliability and figures.
Despite being beaten fair and square on the night, the four-year-old was still rewarded with an excellent speed figure for the grade and that is the third time in succession the 1m4f journey at the Midland venue has played into his strengths.
Usually held onto for a late charge, hopefully he can obtain first run on hold-up performers Come On John and City Escape, and if so, he could be difficult to peg back down the lane.
HARLINGTON – 1-point win@5-2
8.00 WOLVERHAMPTON
SENSE OF WORTH (best price 8-1) must breathe in to enter the stalls he is so big, but he is not slow and arriving here following a career high success over the C&D, Seb Saunders’ inmate has a decent chance of competing in this slightly higher level.
The nine-year-old had run himself into decent shape prior to arriving here a week ago and despite being strongly pressed by the in-form pair, High Court Judge and Starfighter late on, he had the tenacity to get the job done.
Seemingly better suited to the 1m4f journey than his efforts over shorter trips previously, the son of Street Sense can make his presence felt for the fourth time in succession.
SENSE OF WORTH – ½ point each-way@8-1