DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
THURSDAY MARCH 20
3.45 SEDGEFIELD
BORN IN THE WEST (NAP) (best price 9-4) finally got his just rewards for a series of fine efforts in defeat at Catterick last time out and with the data suggesting it was a performance of some significance for the grade, the locally trained gelding has bright prospects of following up.
Runner-up on his first two starts in handicaps, the six-year-old was well supported to make it third time lucky and after travelling well off a strong pace throughout, he found plenty for pressure once picking up the running after the last.
Posting easily the best time figure on the seven-race card, he carries forward plenty of momentum back to a track where he has gone well in the past and with today’s drying ground more in his favour than most, Sam England’s inmate has seemingly a lot in his favour over a trip that should suit.
BORN IN THE WEST – 1-point win@9-4
4.20 SEDGEFIELD
NO BUT I WILL (best price 9-2) was a bit unlucky to find one too good at Taunton last time out, but it was a much-improved effort by Robbie Llewellyn’s inmate and with the faster ground seemingly the contributory factor to his turnaround in fortunes, he is fancied to build on that performance under similar conditions.
The first-time visor had sparked a mini revival at the same track the time before and even though dropping back to the minimum trip was a concern, he managed to cope and put it up to the well fancied Siam Park.
In a contest noted for its strong speed figure, the way he finished off his race suggested a return to further wouldn’t do him any harm and with connections quick to spot an opportunity for him just 10 days later, the long trip up north will hopefully reap maximum rewards.
NO BUT I WILL – 1-point win@9-2
5.15 CHEPSTOW
FIVE QUARTERS (best price 10-3) has gradually been getting better with each run and with today’s trip likely to bring about even further improvement, Kayley Woollacott’s inmate can strike a hearty blow to this sort of opposition on handicap debut.
After finding the smart mare Just A Rose too hot to handle on his debut over hurdles at Taunton two starts ago, the son of Shantou impressed with the way he stuck to the task in admiral fashion behind two useful types here last time out and on each occasion, he hinted that he required further than 2m3f.
Stepped up almost half a mile on his return to the Welsh track, his opening mark of 105 probably underestimates the likely progress to come and it will be a major blow to all concerned if he doesn’t have a huge say in the outcome.
FIVE QUARTERS – 1-point win@10-3