DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
THURSDAY MAY 1
2.30 PUNCHESTOWN
Harry Derham has already hit the mark at the Kildare track this week and TURN AND FINISH (best price 10-1) could provide the Lambourn handler further joy in this opening handicap hurdle.
Other than bombing out in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival when missing the break was to blame, the four-year-old has enjoyed a fine start to his career over hurdles and his latest effort when chasing the useful Anyharminasking home underlines his consistency.
Although no match for the winner late on, he came through strongly in a well-run affair at the Gosforth Park circuit and, with the speed figure for the race pointed towards a big career high, a repeat performance should see him go well on ground that will suit.
TURN AND FINISH – ½ point each-way@10-1(six places)
4.15 PUNCHESTOWN
It’s been well documented Harry Fry has had poor season by his high standards but there has been one or two green shoots of recovery in the last weeks and that encouragement gives extra hope for the chances of BEAT THE BAT (best price 8-1) being competitive on his first try at three miles.
Just on the fringes of the action in a couple of big two-mile handicaps earlier in the season, he improved significantly when stepped up in trip in The Coral Cup last time out and the form of his five-length fourth behind Jimmy Du Seuil reads well in the context of today’s race.
Although he did not exactly fly up the hill by any means at Cheltenham, he shaped like a horse who deserves a crack over further and all his previous speed figure data suggest he is more likely than not to be on the scene if he does stay.
BEAT THE BAT – ½ point each-way@8-1 (six places)