DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SATURDAY APRIL 26
1.20 SANDOWN
Every now and then this season, Paul Nicholls has reminded the racing public that he still remains the man for the big occasion and while Messrs Skelton and Mullins go toe-to-toe without his presence at the top of the trainer’s championship, NARDARAN (best price 11-1) can make the most of their absence in this opening novice’s hurdle final.
Disappointing on his first two outings for the Ditcheat handler, the son of Waldgeist was fitted with the first-time tongue-tie in a bid to revive his fortunes at Taunton last time out and the way he strode clear of the well-fancied Rapscallion in the latter stages, it’s safe to say he looked a totally different model.
Really pointing his toe after the last, he posted a smart set of figures for a juvenile and with the handicapper having little time to react accordingly, he looks to have got in here very much on the south side of where he will probably end up.
Of the rest, Sorceleur and We’re Red And Blue come into the conversation on their decent efforts in the Imperial Cup over the C&D from last month, while John Barbour shaped as though a stiffer track will suit him at Southwell last time out.
NARDARAN – ½ point each-way@11-1
2.35 LEICESTER
Time may tell ASMEN WARRIOR (best price 11-2) faced an impossible task up against the potentially smart Convergent at Redcar last time out and he rates a strong choice to build on that positive performance in this similar event.
Where Convergent ends up remains to be seen but there is every chance he will tackling pattern races at some stage and considering Dr Newland’s inmate was the only one to offer any resistance to a horse of that stature in the final two furlongs at the Yorkshire venue has to go down as a commendable effort.
Posting an extremely high speed figure in defeat at the Yorkshire venue, his final three furlong sectional of 35.4 was comparable to some of the sprinters on the same card and the combination of the two sets of data strongly suggest he can more than hold his own against the likes of the Godolphin-trained Naval Command and unraced Skimmer (reportedly said to be useful).
ASMEN WARRIOR – 1-point each-way@11-2
4.10 SANDOWN
Dan Skelton must feel like a long-tailed mouse in a room full of rocking chairs heading into this race with Willie Mullins saddling no fewer than half the field in the final big race of the British jumps season and of the 10 due to go to post, DANCING CITY (best price 13-2) is the one most likely to help keep the prize in the clutches of the Closutton handler.
A three-time Grade 1 winner over hurdles, including a victory over his main market rival High Class Hero at Punchestown last season, the eight-year-old hasn’t quite hit the same heights in four runs over fences this term, but had he stood on his feet at Aintree last time out, he might well have added to his haul at the highest level.
Travelling as strongly as anything going down the far side at the Merseyside circuit, a miscommunication between himself and Paul Townend meant he took off too soon and landed on top of the penultimate ditch and considering Caldwell Potter went on to produced a very fast speed figure, it’s easy to conclude he would have superseded his previous best over fences by some way had he stayed upright.
Given that he didn’t fully exert himself a month ago, that tumble may well end up being a blessing in disguise as far as today’s race is concerned and he has the requisite class and stamina to run a big race.
DANCING CITY – 1-point each-way@13-2
5.00 NAVAN
ZIPSTER (best price 8-1) didn’t do himself any favours when very slowly into stride at Leopardstown recently, but he did more than enough good work in the latter stages to offer plenty of encouragement going forward and he is more than capable of competing for top honours here with a better exit from the gates.
As a result of his early tardiness, Gerard Keane’s gelding found himself in an uncompromising position turning for home but once working his way out into the clear, he came home to such good effect he was bearing down on the main players close to the finish.
Based on the evidence presented at the Dublin venue, he was arguably the best horse in the field and with today’s step up in trip certainly worth experimenting by connections, a reasonably decent case can be made for the four-year-old to land his first race on Irish soil.
ZIPSTER – ½ point each-way@8-1
6.45 WOLVERHAMPTON
FRENCH SAND (NAP) (best price 13-8) clearly caught a tartar in the shape of Double Rush when last visiting today’s track and with seemingly nothing of the calibre of Charlie Hills’ inmate standing in her way this time around, Archie Watson’s filly can continue the fine recent run of her stable.
Nine times out of ten a performance on the clock such as the one she produced 26 days ago would easily be good enough to land an ordinary maiden but on this occasion, she had to settle for an honourable second, four lengths inferior to a horse who went on to make a mockery of his mark on handicap debut at Newmarket next time and is now rated 90.
On all known evidence, Dubai Beach appears the only logical threat but his number, when runner-up at Kempton when last seen falls short of what French Sand achieved and for that reason, the daughter of Sands Of Mali makes more appeal at the prices.
FRENCH SAND – 2-point win@13-8