DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SATURDAY APRIL 19
4.19 NEWTON ABBOT
SCARFACE (best price 9-2) has been plying his trade in much stronger races than he faces here this afternoon, and he rates one of the more likely winners based on the pick of his form.
Apart from one excusable run at Newbury two starts ago, when a bad mistake derailed his chances, Joe Tizzard’s inmate has been ever consistent throughout the last 18 months and although he hasn’t managed to back up his three victories from last term, all his efforts in defeat have come with great credit.
Indeed, his latest performance when runner-up to the revitalised Bhaloo back at the Berkshire venue was right up there with the best of his career speed figures and with today’s soft ground likely to suit him more than most of his rivals, anything other than his usual positive display will have to go down as a proper headscratcher.
SCARFACE – 1-point each-way@9-2
4.20 CORK
APERCU (best price 9-2) did well to hang tough for as long as he did at The Curragh on his seasonal bow and now racing back over his optimum trip, Andrew Oliver’s inmate can add to his haul of three victories from last term.
Posted out widest of all at the Kildare venue, the four-year-old had a tough trip for the first portion of the contest and although he was still holding every chance at the furlong pole, eventually, the exertions of his early exploits took over late on.
Still, to finish a close-up fourth against track specialist such as Indigo Five and Fort Vega over an inadequate mile journey was no mean effort and he is better judged of his winning performance at the same track on his final start the previous season.
Although not as dynamic on the clock that day, his battling display backed up several previous solid pieces of form over the 1m2f trip and with the return of blinkers seen as a positive intent, the son of Elzaam should be well placed to give today’s assignment a decent rip.
APERCU – 1-point each-way@9-2
4.25 HAYDOCK
BORN IN THE WEST (best price 3-1) failed in his bid to justify heavy support in his direction at Sedgefield last time out but based on the theory it was partly down to the way he was ridden over the extended 3m3f rather than anything else, Sam England’s inmate is afforded another chance to add to his previous success 15 days earlier.
A ready winner over 2m3f at Catterick previously, the six-year-old was strongly fancied to complement the smart speed he posted over a mile further, but instead of being finessed into the race, he got drilled to the front with over a circuit to race which, consequently, led to his downfall.
To his great credit, he only just got outrun in the latter stages by a proven stayer and providing he is ridden in a more conservative fashion here this afternoon, he easily has the beating of this sort of field.
BORN IN THE WEST – 1-point win@3-1