DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
THURSDAY APRIL 17
2.25 NEWMARKET
FEARNOT (best price 8-1) left the impression he should have remained unbeaten at Kempton last time out and Clive Cox’s inmate looks to be overpriced in his bid to back up that view on handicap debut.
The son of Invincible Spirit ran out quite an impressive winner on his debut at Wolverhampton a month ago, posting a smart speed figure in the process, and he carried forward plenty of confidence that he could defy a penalty at the Sunbury venue 18 days later.
Unfortunately, his main market rival, White Crown Star, worked himself into a more favourable early track position and, fully five lengths off the speed turning for home, it was a deficit Fearnot couldn’t quite bridge in the final three furlongs.
That said, he finished off his race to such a degree the losing margin was only a short head at the line and on the evidence of that performance 22 days ago, it’s easy to draw to the conclusion he requires further than seven-furlongs in the long term.
Obviously, there is a small risk he might not be able to translate the same level of form to turf at the first time of asking, but he comes from parents who both ran to a fair standard in Group 3 races over today’s course in the past, and at the morning odds, a chance is taken this lightly-raced three-year-old can follow suit.
FEARNOT – ½ point each-way@8-1
2.45 CHELTENHAM
BETHPAGE (best price 14-1) showed the benefit of a mid-season wind operation with a decisive victory over two useful opponents at Wincanton last time out and with conditions set to be in her favour once more, Emma Lavelle’s mare can go along way to capturing her long-term goal.
An uncharacteristically poor run at west country back in November by her standards called for drastic measures and based on what she achieved on her return visit after a 135-day break, the decision to tinker with her wind look to have paid dividends.
Staying on strongly in the latter stages off decent fractions set by Larchmount Lass, the daughter of Getaway readily brushed aside her main market rival after the last and with her overall speed figure and final lap sectionals pointing towards her running to a good standard, she clearly arrives here in excellent shape.
Having qualified for this final via chasing home Of Course You Can at Ludlow last Autumn, this good-ground loving mare has plenty in her favour in her bid to secure this valuable prize.
BATHPAGE – ½ point each-way@14-1
3.55 CHELTENHAM
METKAYINA (best price 5-1) fared best of those who arrive here today after taking part in the Mares’ Hurdle at the festival and over an extra half a mile that should suit, Noel Williams’ inmate is fancied to confirm the form.
Held up towards the rear at the Prestbury Park circuit, the daughter of Diamond Boy worked her way through the field from the top of the hill to get within a respectable distance from the leaders turning for home and she continued that progression all the way up the hill to eventually finish a creditable fifth.
Finishing well ahead of the likes of Jubilee Alpha and Bluey a month ago, who both reoppose today, there doesn’t appear any obvious reason why she couldn’t do so again, especially over 2m4f, and at the morning odds, she makes plenty of appeal as a solid each-way proposition on her return visit.
METKAYINA – 1-point each-way@5-1