DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
MONDAY MARCH 3
4.00 NEWCASTLE
The Gratfer has undeniably got plenty of natural ability but his seeming inability to get the job done, Darwin Nunez-style, is becoming a source of frustration for his supporters and he is passed over in favour of BATHGATE (best price 11-4), who has managed to convert two of his chances so far this season.
Off the mark in ready style at Sedgefield back in November, Philip Kirby’s gelding was equally impressive at Catterick two starts ago and he can count himself unlucky to bump into the in-form Haarar back over the same C&D in his repeat bid last time.
Travelling just as well as the eventual winner turning for home, the five-year-old couldn’t quite match the speed of a horse who had plenty of form on the Flat on the run-in, but he did keep on well to finish a creditable second and the speed figure suggested it wasn’t a bad effort in defeat.
Although he has yet to race over today’s stiff track, he has got his favoured fast ground to counterbalance that slight negative and given the way he travels through his races, it’s hard to envisage him not having a say in the outcome.
BATHGATE – 1-point win@11-4
5.30 WOLVERHAMPTON
NATIONAL HEALTH (best price 9-2) is getting closer to ending the search for an elusive first victory and returning to a C&D that allowed him to run a career high on the figures last time out, Olly Murphy’s inmate is afforded another chance to achieve that feat.
Having sat towards the rear of a reasonable gallop to halfway, his pilot proceeded to make a bold bid for home swinging out of the back straight but as is often the case at the Dunstall Park venue, he succumbed to a late closer having used up too much petrol too soon.
On the positive side, at least his effort in defeat proved he stayed the trip well enough and with a bit more of a conservative ride this evening, the five-year-old has the credentials to go one place better.
NATIONAL HEALTH – 1-point each-way@9-2
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