DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
FRIDAY APRIL 25
1.50 SANDOWN
As expected, a competitive renewal of the Esher Cup and DIVIDEND (best price 6-1) is fancied to put his fitness and course form to good use.
A shock 50-1 winner of a maiden here on his second start as a juvenile, Dr Newland’s inmate has continued on an upward trend and his latest two victories on the all-weather have both been equally impressive.
The form of his first success at Southwell has worked out well since and the way he battered one of today’s main rivals, Thunder Wonder, on his return visit strongly suggests there could be even more to come.
Seraph Gabriel, unlucky on his final outing as a juvenile, could turn out to be the chief threat.
DIVIDEND – 1-point each-way@6-1
2.25 SANDOWN
SEE THE FIRE (best price 7-2) enjoyed a lucrative campaign as a three-year-old and a chance is taken on Andrew Balding’s filly continuing that progression over a trip that will hopefully see her to best advantage during this season.
Although she only won once, some of her best efforts on the figures came in defeat, the pick being her fine fifth in the Group 1 Champions Stakes at Ascot on her final outing of the term.
Not receiving the clearest of runs at a crucial moment at the Berkshire venue, she did, however, keep on in the manner of a horse who saw out the trip well given the conditions and with another winter on her back to strengthen up even further, the daughter of Sea The Stars can prove more than a handful for the boys here this afternoon.
SEE THE FIRE – 1-point win@7-2
6.17 FONTWELL
The race won by King Of The Lake at Exeter last month was highlighted by a very fast speed figure for the grade and with the form working out accordingly, fourth home VALADON (best price 6-1) can continue the trend in this similar heat.
Although he could only keep on at the one pace at the west country venue, the data suggested it wasn’t a bad effort in the circumstances and with the runner-up, fifth and seventh all going on to prove what a good race it was for a run-of-the-mill Class 4 event subsequently, his performance reads significantly better than first feared.
Dropped to a mark of 110 and stepped up to a trip that is likely to see him in a better light than it did 49 days ago, the lightly-raced gelding can maintain his largely consistent profile.
VALADON – 1-point each-way@6-1