DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING

MONDAY MARCH 17

2.10 WEXFORD

LOMBAY ISLAND (best price 8-1) never had any chance of making an impact at Punchestown last time out, but today’s race looks a far weaker one on paper and he is fancied to show more of his true potential on just his third start over hurdles.

While the big two in the market, Runcok and Grey Pharoh, had their own private battle up front at the Kildare venue, Henry De Bromhead’s inmate was fighting to obtain the best possible finishing position with several in behind and although he ended up getting beaten a fair way in fourth, he was just a length off Free Flow, who came out and boosted the form at Thurles on Saturday.

Time figure-wise, his effort was a significant improvement on his previous show behind Turners’ refugee, Kiss Will, and with today’s better ground likely to suit, the son of Harzand should be able to muscle his way onto the podium at the very least.

LAMBAY ISLAND – ½ point each-way@8-1

2.27  DOWN ROYAL

SAVANTE (best price 5-2) is close to becoming the ultimate ‘cliff horse’, certainly for this writer at least, but at the same time the excuses she has for not wining on her last three starts are valid and she is afforded one more chance to prove once and for all she has what it takes to land a race of this nature.

Firstly, Colm Murphy’s inmate found two miles too sharp for her here back in November before brought down at Leopardstown when closing in on the main players at the second last two starts ago.

Back to the Dublin venue last time out, she was well-supported to make amends in a big mares’ handicap at the DRF, but she ended up getting a brutal passage around the outside with no cover and that wide trip meant her finishing effort was tamer than anticipated.

Down in grade today and back up to 2m4f, the daughter of Workforce has the qualities to capitalise off a mark of 118 and she deserves to be played accordingly.

SAVANTE – 1-point win@5-2

5.30 WOLVERHAMPTON

POLITICAL POWER (best price 5-2) was always likely to struggle in the face of a poor draw at Kempton last time and he is best judged on his previous effort over today’s C&D, form of which should easily be good enough to land a race of this nature.

Although there were only nine runners at the Sunbury venue, being out on the wing is always a tricky draw to overcome and having used up quite a bit of petrol to do so in the initial stages, those exertions eventually caught up with him inside the final two furlongs.

Prior to that commendable effort 12 days ago, Charlie Clover’s inmate had posted a smart speed in defeat chasing home the useful Miami Matrix over today’s C&D and a reproduction of that level of form should see him go close to finally shedding his maiden tag.

POLITICAL POWER – 1-point win@5-2

6.00 WOLVERHAMPTON

ARIZONA ROCK (best price 10-3) has run two very encouraging races over today’s C&D and the experience he has garnered from those performances will play a big part in his attempt to make it third time lucky on his return visit.

Jamie Osbourne’s inmate produced an encouraging display when fourth in a hot race for the grade on his debut a month ago and even though he failed in his bid to improve his finishing position on his latest assignment, the time figure he posted in defeat suggested otherwise.

Although he looks the type who may do better in time over further, he easily has enough game to score over seven-furlongs and with the vital experience he has gathered together likely to prove vital in the final analysis, the son of Arizona rates a confident choice to get the better of the unraced brigade.

ARIZONA ROCK – 1-point win@10-3