DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SATURDAY APRIL 12
2.00 NEWBURY
A cracking turnout for this traditional 1000 Guineas trial and even though TIME FOR SANDALS (best price 7-1) hasn’t been entered in the first fillies’ classic of the season (there has been talk of the French version), she may well turn out to be the one to be with in today’s race.
Connections pitched her into the white-hot heat of the Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York last season and if it wasn’t for meeting a few bumps in the road during the six-furlong journey, she may well have walked away with the prize.
Prior to that top-class effort on the Knavesmire, Harry Eustace’s filly had acquitted herself with great credit from a poor draw in the Super Sprint over today’s course and with the likelihood that seven-furlongs may turn out to be her optimum trip in the short term, she can make the perfect start to her campaign. However, she fares today, she remains one to keep on side.
TIME FOR SANDELS – ½ point each-way@7-1 (four places)
2.15 AYR
Paul Nicholls was narrowly denied when his final runner on the card here yesterday, Below The Radar, just got nailed in the shadows of the post, but hopefully compensation awaits the Dictheat handler with KABRAL DU MATHAN (best price 11-4) in this valuable prize.
It’s fair to say the son of Pastorius has been minded by connections this term with a view to sending him chasing next season but on the three occasions he has showed his face, he has run to a high standard each time.
After scoring with plenty in hand on his seasonal bow, he has gone on to finish a creditable runner-up in two big handicap hurdles similar to the one he faces today and with both performances backed up by the clock, he shouldn’t have too many issues if they go hard here this afternoon.
A likeable type who is a strong stayer at the trip, the nice bit of water the clerk of the course has dispensed in the build up to the weekend should allow the strapping five-year-old sufficient ease underfoot in order for him to perform to his best.
KABRAL DU MATHAN – 1-point win@11-4
3.35 AYR
Willie Mullins is going all out to try and land his second British trainers’ title and, as a result, his battalions all have to be respected but if there is one of the home-based contingent to upset the party, THE KNIPHAND (best price 11-1) strikes as one of the more likely party-poopers.
Firstly, unexposed, lightly-raced novices such as himself, have a really good record in the race in recent times and so does his trainer, who has landed this prize with the likes of Captain Diddle, Earth Summit and Hello Bud down the years.
Secondly, his form last time out in a competitive renewal of the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster stands up to the closest inspection and so does the time figure, which enabled him to run to a career high level.
Prior to that sterling effort, the seven-year-old had shown progressive form in victory and defeat leading up to running extremely well in another strongly run affair at Uttoxeter on unsuitable ground and being a horse who likes to race prominently, he fits neatly into the run-style of many previous winners of this prestigious race.
On ground more suitable to him than most, the son of Choeur Du Nord makes quite a bit of appeal at his double-figure quotes.
THE KNIPHAND – 1-point each-way@11-1
4.10 AYR
BARATABLET (best price 4-1) has improved gradually with each run and having gained valuable experience of today’s track in two of his three outings, Nicky Richards’ inmate can put that knowledge to good use and prove to be the joker in the pack.
Time may tell he crossed swords with an above-average type on hurdling debut here in February and although he could hardly be described as wildly impressive when going one place better at Hexham last time out, at the same time he left the impression he was still learning on the job.
Furthermore, he shapes like the step up to three miles will bring about even more improvement and with the two Willie Mullins-trained horses, C’Est Et Chance and Jump Allen, best described as workmanlike rather than anything special, the progressive five-year-old can follow in the footsteps of stable mate Summergrounds here yesterday (Florida Dreams also ran well).
BARATABLET – 1-point win@4-1
4.19 NEWBURY
Time may tell FURTHER (NAP) (best price 5-2) ran into a very smart horse in the shape of Centigrade on his final start as a juvenile and with the strong possibility that distances of this nature are going to see him to much better advantage as a three-year-old, Andrew Balding’s inmate is fancied to back up that theory at the first time of asking.
Sent off 33-1 at the Berkshire circuit after failing to rip up any trees on his debut, the son of Waldgeist left behind that previous tame effort in no uncertain terms and on the evidence of that display, he seemed to really appreciate the test of stamina the race in question provided.
Due to the very strong pace throughout, he recorded a very smart speed figure and it’ll be just a case of whether his is fit enough to do himself justice off a 169-day break rather than his form not being good enough to repel the newcomers.
FURTHER – 2-point win@5-2